Model of a Shetland "Sixern" boat named 'Sovereign' (register No. LK.2118). Made by John Shewan. One of the large open boats formerly used in Shetland Islands for deep-water fishing.

Until the end of the 19th century they were also used in long line fisheries. Scale 1:12

Shetland Islands fishing-boats, known locally as sixerns, were used until the end of the 19th century for deep-sea line and net fishing. This model, made at Lerwick, represents one of these large open boats which were double-ended, and clincher-built with wide planks, usually of fir imported from Norway, and secured with iron fastenings. Sixerns were about 32ft long with a breadth of 10ft, and their descent from the larger 10th century Viking boats is evident from their form and from some of there constructional features.

Although the sixern was designed primarily for rowing, a mast stepped slightly forward of amidships carried a dipping lug-sail.

The sixerns, although open-boats, frequently fished as far as forty miles off the east coast of Shetland. Owing to their low freeboard amidships these craft were forced to lie-to in any other position and, as a result, boats have been blown as far as the coast of Norway by prolonged westerly gales.