They also became skillful sailors and builders of small craft, and it is not surprising to learn that Jacocks Swain and his sons introduced, in 1811, the centerboard for keeping flat-bottomed craft closer to the wind.
"The Quaker Colonies A Chronicle of the Proprietors of the Delaware, Volume 8 in The Chronicles Of America Series"
Sydney G. Fisher
However, judging by records made in the 1870's, we may assume that the first boats of this type were long, rather narrow, open, flat-bottomed skiffs with a square stern and a centerboard; they were rigged with two masts and two leg-of-mutton sails.
"The Migrations of an American Boat Type"
Howard I. Chapelle
The cockpit ran from the bulkhead at the centerboard case to within 4 or 5 feet of the stern, where there was a light joiner bulkhead.
"The Migrations of an American Boat Type"
Howard I. Chapelle