We motored out with a fixed shortshaft 7.5 Johnson. Engine and gas tank are in a well isolated from the bilge, and an exhaust hose fitted to the lower unit leads out the transom. It was a quiet and workable arrangement.

Once out, I got the sails up and started to put her through her paces. The wind was 12 knots; a slight chop rumpled the bay. The Oysterman's rudder is wide and shallow, rather than deep and narrow like those I'm used to, and the tiller felt more resistant to my commands. The steering effort wasn't excessive. It just had a positive weight to it, like the feel of a larger boat. The Oysterman is a pretty stiff sailer considering her shallow draft, but when the rudder starts to load up - in about 15 knots of wind - you know it's time to tuck in a reef. She tacked without complaint, carrying her way nicely through South Bay slop.

The skipjack's real domain is the shallows, so we headed for the marsh islands of Great South Bay. As we approached, the board hit and I raised it. The pennant exits at the aft end of the table in the cabin, and attaches to a cleat. It hit again, and I pulled it up some more. Menger kept talking about shallow-water sailing performance. I was half listening, playing with the main sheet, and waving at someone we just passed. A few seconds later I looked back. The guy I had waved to was up to his thighs clamming. We were sailing close hauled, making minimum leeway in only 2 feet of water!

Menger directed us to a small cove. I lowered the jib and tacked in under the main alone, then dropped the boat's standard yachtsman's anchor that hangs from a hook on the bowsprit.

While waiting around, I examined the accommodations. The roomy 7-foot-4 inch long cockpit is self-bailing with bronze scuppers port and starboard so the sole will drain on either tack. A nonskid simulated wood grain pattern is molded into the cockpit sole, hatch covers, and deck. A teak toe rail guards against slips overboard while a teak rubrail guards against bumps. Four hinged hatches provide access to spacious lazarettes. I found two details particularly well thought out. First, there are no locker hasps to gouge you. Locker covers are held down and "locked" by internal lines leading into the cabin. Second, there is an aft helmsman's deck over the engine well that is slightly higher than the seats. This lets you see above heads and cabin.

Below decks, the feeling is warm and comfortable, mostly due to the varnished pine on the cabin sides. There are two 6 ½ -foot quarter berths and a 6-foot-3-inch vee-befth, enough sleeping space to accommodate a family of four. A molded fiberglass watertank and ice box are installed under the vee-berth. A stainless steel sink and a pump complete the galley furnishings. For dining, the centerboard trunk is covered with a drop-leaf formica table. A curtain is installed abaft the head and galley. You can sleep comfortably in the Oysterman's cabin, use the toilet in privacy without being a gymnast, and probably spend a rainy day inside without going nuts.