My son is returning from an overseas job and wants to buy a flats boat. He will fish the flats along the ICW north of Charleston as well as some open water around the inlets and up the Wando. He is looking at a 17’ 6" prototype hull built by Kenner for Mako, carrying a 125 HP 2 cycle Mercury. I don’t know the exact draft but it is “claimed” to be 8" with motor and fuel. The boat is priced right and has all the “bells and whistles” (hydrolic stearing, hydrolic jack plate, flush mounted hardware, etc., etc., etc.).
The boat is in very good shape.
What do you think about its suitability for the intended use? All comments appreciated.
I run a 17’6" key west stealth with a 150 on it. I have yet to ride in a flats boat that is smooth riding in windy conditions the hull is wide and flat it’s a trade off for the 8-10" I draw. With a full 40 gallons of gass in might even need a foot. Some people I have gone fishing with have described the hull as a “tank”. Now I am just starting to get into fishing the skinny water for fear of being stranded on an out going tide. As far as the key west goes trim tabs are a must.
I have never seen the boat you are intrested so cannot comment on it’s specific hull desigh and how it will ride. I am saying that yes you can cross the harbor most days but if the wind is blowing 12+ the wife is going to start in with the you should have gone and fished the creeks speach. Also if you try to go slow your gonna get wet. I have tried to fish the jeddies 7 times last month and could only get out their 2 times. It’s a trade off.
i fish in a 17 beavertail a lot around iop and sullivans coming from ripley. its rough coming through the harbor and very wet but its a very shallow boat and with the jackplate planes off shallow too. Its a great flats boat but getting to the flats can be rough and wet
I have a biased opinion for aluminum boats. They are just so much easier to maintain and definetly cheaper. Only drawback is that it can get a little rough if the wind picks up, but if you pick your days then its not that bad.I run an 18’ alumacraft tunnel hull with a 60hp merc(2 stroke). The boat drafts about 3 to 4 inches and runs in 4 to 6 inches and takes about a foot and half to get up in.It has a 20gallon tank and runs about 30-35mph and I can run all day and still only use about a half of the tank. Best thing about an aluminum boat is if you want to pole across an oyster bar or flat. You don’t have to worry about messing the “gel coat” up. I have fished in Mavericks, lake and bay, tritons( aluminum and fiberglass), sea arks, trakers, and shearwater boats. All have their strong points. I shopped for about 5 years before I bought the boat I have now. Best advice I can give is buy a boat fitted to what you do 90% of the time and live with the rest of 10%. So if your fishing the flats more get a shallower drafting boat and you’ll be glad you did. Or vice versa if your going to be in open water more. Good Luck!
Flats boats are definitely sexy, but they are intended for 1 purpose… fishing skinny water. If he wants to do it all, find a bay boat instead. Many can float in just a few more inches, take the chop, and seat more people.
I’m biased, but my KW1720cc does it all and can float in 12" loaded. Tubing, wakeboarding, 2-mile reef, jetties, shallows, rivers… consider the whole gamut of possibilities before deciding.
I really like my boat. It takes chop well, dry, seats a good amount for the size, and drafts about 7inch. I say get out play in them and go from there. you will never be 100% happy. Unless you have multiple vessels.
“My fish served a whole lunchon. Your fish look like a munchkin”