Smith’s "one-man" (12 ft) troutboats were carvel planked using red cedar fastened to steam bent oak ribs with copper rivets. The rabbeted keel provided enhanced support for the garboards, an unusual feature in Finger Lakes troutboats. The small, deep wineglass transom supported a "planked down" skeg which eliminated significant weight and enabled the boat to be rowed in either direction with ease. The boat was decked fore and aft, and set up with fixed seats for the oarsman and rear passenger.

While few examples remain of the Smith troutboat, he is believed to have built well over thirty boats including a 13’-8" row/outboard model. In later years he subordinated boatbuilding to his life-long talent for carving duck decoys, which are highly prized by collectors today.