When finding grandpa's boat, it was the most amazing thing  . It was at a place that prided itself on boat restoration.  They had no idea of what they had, and I wanted it to stay that way.  I was told the boat was put into the water almost every year and had been barn-kept.  She was run and always had maintenance done, normal items like the old metal gas to aluminum, new bilge pumps, etc.  When looking at her, she seemed in nice shape. .Cabin sides were smooth, deck stable, and no visible scars on her belly. There was an oversized windshield installed  by a marina in 1964,.  Before they started to motor, I felt it, and it was cold.  She fired right up, she shifted gears.  All good signs.  She had 102 hours on the engine, and by the exhaust manifold, and other things,  I can see that the engine had low hours.  I spent many years doing the engine and woodwork at an Egg Harbor yard.  ​

     We all know that 50-60% of our body is water.  Well, according to my "Skiff" family, mine is saltwater; I have webbed feet; and if I'm put into a dense fog and asked to point north, I will point north (that is, after you tell me whether you want true or magnetic).  The restoration is only happening because of my "Skiff" family, who taught me my heritage.  Not through stories, photos, and news clippings.  It is the group of mentors and old timers who taught me my Verity ways.  At Nickerson's boatyard, I had to fix a Verity Skiff with an old-timer.  The transom needed to be replaced.  The very first thing he made me do lock up my measuring that and gabed  plot, focus on the task at hand, and consider how it affects the entire boat. Grab a strip of scrape wood and a pencil and  or decoy, and grab a pencil or scrap of wood, then do it.put away the rule and   Great men and a few ladies who, somehow, I feel, looked at me as the one who cares.  It is to all of them that this boat is so much more than white oak, white cedar, and copper nails.​

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I am well aware of the Grover Skiff.  Al Grover is a great man. My Focus is on the Verity Wood Skiffs. 
I may add a section on the Grover Skiff in the future.

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The Long Island, NY Verity clan is a family of well-known baymen, Verity Skiff boat and Sailing/gunning skiffs builders, and decoy carvers.  Most were churchgoers and involved with the community. I have been called a workaholic all the time; I now know it's not odd; it is a family trait.  Some made their mark with business endeavors.  Others worked the bays and ocean and as boat builders.  The latter is challenging work, but working that close to God’s wonder can never be beaten.  

Verity
* the state or quality of being true; accordance with fact or reality.
*something that is true, as a principle, belief, idea, or statement.