best flats boat for charleston area? trying to decide on my next boat and can’t decide. looking for 4 stroke power only. 16-18ft
lets hear it
I think its this one…
but it might be because we sell them, then again it could be because they are awesome its only $19,999.99
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING
What type of fishing do you do most of the time? Approximate budget?
Don’t overlook a 2 stroke on a flats boat.
creeks. would like to be able to get on the flats. also like to hit the jetties. really don’t want a bay boat. 30k is max.
You say you don’t want a bay boat, but your description of a boat that fishes the creeks and the jetties fits that of a bay boat. SouthernWake asked the right question. What do you want to use the boat for 90% of the time?
Well the main reason for not wanting a bay boat is Because I want to be Able to launch the boat in my back yard. My boat ramp isn’t very steep. I can get s boat that sits low on the trailer in the water. Pretty much all the flats boats trailers are low to the ground. The bay boat trailers sit pretty hight and I won’t be able to launch in my back yard. Jetties won’t be an every weekend thing.
The jetties are over rated…all you’ll find there is dogfish and washed up captains waiting on the grilliage to go slack…get a reel flats boat.
I know a lot of people turn their noses up at aluminum but my Xpress H20B (bay series) get’s skinny and I don’t need much water to get her off of the trailer. It handles rough/choppy water better than a true flats boat but like I said, I can get plenty skinny too.
https://xpressboats.com/hyperlift-bay/
Like 23 said, the places you described wanting to fish fit that of a bay boat. They always say “pick your days wisely,” well, you’d have to be more selective with a true flats boat when you want to run out to the jetties.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
I’d get the boat that fits my needs first then worry about launching. If it can’t do what you need it’s wasted money. I agree that a bay boat is going to be more in line with your stated needs. You can always get a small jon/creek boat to keep behind the house.
Maybe take a look at a pathfinder as a compromise?
If you are launching from your yard into a creek, why not get a jon boat and save a bunch of money? Is it a long run from the yard to where you want to fish?
Most “flats boats” aren’t going to like the trip across the harbor when it’s anything but calm, but the Bentz-Craft handles it well. It’s my recommendation for a do-it-all and do-it-well lowcountry boat.
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
How about a Panga? They are light, can get shallow enough, will handle more chop than any of those flats boats, will get you to the jetties and back and won’t take a ton of power to push it.
quote:
Originally posted by mhebbardIf you are launching from your yard into a creek, why not get a jon boat and save a bunch of money? Is it a long run from the yard to where you want to fish?
Well I live on the fresh water so from my back yard it would just be joy riding in the afternoons after work. Don’t really want another Jon boat
ChrisV that rig is awesome. Never heard of it before
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
quote:
Originally posted by leadenwahboyMost “flats boats” aren’t going to like the trip across the harbor when it’s anything but calm, but the Bentz-Craft handles it well. It’s my recommendation for a do-it-all and do-it-well lowcountry boat.
Awesome little boat
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
It depends on how much you want to spend… $5k or $50k?
quote:
Originally posted by FloaterIt depends on how much you want to spend… $5k or $50k?
OP said 30k was his max.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
in that price range, i’d look for a used maverick, hells bay or east cape. there’s a few others to consider too, but a used high quality skiff will hold its value (for good reason).
my personal favorite is the maverick hpxv 17’. my brother has an older mirage that is awesome. i used to have a 20’ pathfinder that was great. MBG makes great products.
i just don’t need a bay boat. may go to the jetties once or twice a year if I’m lucky. boat will be 50% joy riding the cooper river in the summer and 50% fishing the cooper. i like wide gunnels you can walk on so bay boats are out. i like the mavericks as well but they are pricey and its hard to find any for less than $30k with 4 stroke power.
It might pay to look at an older hull and re-power and still stay in your price range. Be bought an older lap side 18’ Hewes Bonefisher and it is a great hull. Handles some pretty choppy conditions very well and I can still pole it on the flats and get plenty shallow.