22' Wilcox Midland Skiff (1979) - PROVENANCE

In 1979 Albert Wilcox, of Apponaug, RI, was asked to design a Skiff for the Midland Boat Co. Being from a fifth generation boat building and commercial fishing family he designed a 22 ft center console version of Downeast lines with ample sheer for the waters of Narragansett Bay.

The Wilcox family headed up by Don Wilcox had built about 50 strip plank boats up to 48 ft for the commercial lobstermen and shell fishermen of Narragansett Bay.

Al set out to build the plug for the Midland 22 using his family’s strip plank method using yellow or white cedar strips, ¾” thick by 1 ½” width. After the plug was successfully removed from the mold it also was converted into a commercial fishing vessel after being clad in fiberglass inside and out. A Volvo Penta AQ140a/270 I/O was fitted into the boat and is still running strong.

Al’s 22 ft Skiff was christened “Paula W” and had regularly brought back 1,200 lbs. of Quahogs a day when the shell fishing was good.

Sometime in the late 1980’s the boat was brought to Cleveland, OH on Lake Erie by Cleveland Marine Towing, a TowBoatUS contractor. At that time, it was painted red as all TowBoatUS boats are.

After that, sometime in the early 2000’s the boat was given to Whiskey Island Marina to be used as a service towboat. Sometime around 2010 the boat disappeared from view and I found out that it was destined for the chainsaw. I did not think that this uniquely designed boat deserved that fate. So, over a four year period, 2015-2019, it was completely rebuilt from the outer cedar skin in, raising the cockpit deck and redesigning/locating the four transom scuppers.

In 2020, I designed a carbon fiber T-Top that was added. The total weight of the vacuum bagged T-Top came out to be 35 lbs. The T-Top totally changed the look of the boat.

This year the Wilcox 22 CC will be re-christened with King Neptune’s permission of course, “PROVENANCE” since it was the source of many Midland 19’-22’s and later the Cuttyhunk 22.

The boat is used as a safety tow boat and community sailing support boat at Whiskey Island Marina, Cleveland.