The "Sharpie Schooner" is a model of one of the so called "Terrapin Schooners" developed in the late 1800's and used well into the present century for turtle fishing along the Florida and Gulf Coasts. In this capacity, these boats were fitted out as Smacks, having livewells fitted on either side of the centerboard trunk. These small Sharpies were 30 to 36 feet in length and were built with cabin accommodations to allow the crew to stay out for extended periods. Many had traditional flat Skiff-like bottoms, but the more seaworthy boats, like this model, had some deadrise (V shape) in the after end of the hull which improved their handling and sailing qualities. While sharpies used a wide variety of rigs, large Sharpies had two masts and were rigged as Ketches, Yawls, or, as this model, Schooners. Hence the name "Sharpie Schooner" describing both the hull and the sailing rig of the boat.