I’m about to retire my 14’ Malibu and upgrade to a new 16’ Carolina Skiff. I’ll be running a strong 25hp Merc tiller, large front deck and rear deck with open center. Additional seating will be coolers w/ pads. I’d like to hear from those that have or had a CS and what they loved/liked/hated/would change about it? I want the good and bad. I know they aren’t the driest or smoothest but neither is my Malibu. I’m going for reliability and function first. Also the “unsinkable” hull is nice piece of mind since I do alot of solo fishing. Thanks in advance.
I use to have a J16 with cc and a 25Yami 2 stroke. I have always had jon boats. The skiff is a lot more solid and smoother riding than a alum jon. It will not ride like a V bottom though you would not expect it to. Like any boat not, some type of V bottom, if the wind is blowing and you’re heading into it you get some spray and it will slam some in a chop. It was wide open - lots of room - smooth floor - and stable. I really loved mine and kick myself for ever selling it. For 2 adults or possibly with a child as a 3 passenger the 25hp is ok. 3 adults fishing is about max on weight. When I had 3 adults and one teen shrimping with all the gear the 25 was not enough engine. 30hp is max rating and would have done the trick. I ended up having 2 different props. A 10.5p for normal and a 9p for a load when shrimping or camping. 9p prop would go about 20mph but would plane out and go. Single person fishing it will scat with that 25. Best thing I had on mine was a bimini top- was lots cooler. Some good rod holders and a auto-bilge pump. You will like it.
I have a J16 with a 25 Johnson tiller. I added a PVC extension to the motor handle, a cooler placed long ways in the the boat, a poling platform, and a trolling motor to the transom. For the money, this is a great little boat. jForf is right about the power to weight ratio. Three people in the boat really changes the overall boat speed. Also, three is can be too many to fish. I drive this boat right up on the beach, on nice days I have been to the Jetty. You will get wet if there is a cross wind. The only problem I have ever had is when I replaced a broken depth finder sensor that broke off on the bottom due to a large wake; the new sensor was the same brand but a new model causes a large spray or roster tail behind the boat. I have moved it in and out, up and down, but can not stop it. This sprays into the boat. I zip tied a Frisbee over the sensor which knocks down the spray. I bimini top sounds nice.
great boats
almost indestructible
very wet very rough riding
I have a 17cc with a 50 use it for everything from salvage to fishing to wakeboarding with the kids.
Thanks everyone for the info. As we speak I’m trying to find a home for my Malibu hull so I can go get my J16. Have to sell the old boat before I get the new one, no place to store a bare hull.