Around 1750, the fishing smack, a specialized sailing vessel for inshore and coastal fishing, emerged in England, particularly in the North Sea ports of Lowestoft and Yarmouth. The smack was a sturdy, fast boat with a flat bottom and a distinctive gaff rig, designed for drift netting and trawling. This design allowed fishermen to venture farther offshore and to stay at sea for longer periods, increasing their catch and efficiency. The smack became the dominant fishing vessel in England for over a century, shaping the lives and livelihoods of coastal communities.

The fishing smack appears in English maritime poetry and ballads, where it is celebrated as a symbol of the hardy and independent spirit of the fishermen. The smack also features in the novels of the period, including those of Charles Dickens, who portrayed the lives of the East Anglian fishing communities. The vessel became a cultural icon of the English coast.