Hey guys, I’m looking to get a flats boat. I have been doing a lot of “googling” and there are SO MANY! I need to be able to store it downtown and tow it with VW Golf. I’m wanting something that I can ride around the harbor and catch more of these red / pink fish. Whats the best kind, and how much, I want to only spend about 10-15K. Also, I hear that Toatshu is the best motor, is that correct?
What it your towing capacity?
Sabalo 21 150 Yamaha (under construction)
Key West Stealth 150 V-max (SOLD)
This is gonna be a w e s o m e
Should be able to find a nice mitzi for 10 to 15k. I’d definitely get something with a dry launch trailer.
Rumor has that Tohatsu is getting out of the outboard engine market. I’d go with a Yamaha if I were you.
oc
3500 lbs. of towing power. Mitzi looks awesome, so do the ones called East Cape Gladesman, they look like a canoe but have a motor. Maybe I was misinformed about that motor. I saw a motor at West Marine that uses propane, that might be a better alternative to gas, and I can’t find any diesel on the internet.
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Whats the best kind,
That’s easy 
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and how much, I want to only spend about 10-15K. Also, I hear that Toatshu is the best motor, is that correct?
New or used? You won’t find the “best” flats boats, new with engine and trailer in that price range. But you can get a fairly decent used one. Tohatsu makes a good engine. I prefer Yamaha myself. The boat above I built and it has a 40 Tohatsu jet drive on it.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
shut my mouth. bar b que my hamhocks and hogtie me to spruce pine.
3500 towing capacity. i had no idea. learned something new.
That’s German engineering. They don’t have trucks over there. But I’ve seen big Mercedes towing some big boats.
You can always look for an older boat with newer power
13ft boston whalers are popular and versatile.
I’m biased. But would suggest one to anyone that has limited towing cap
I can grab the tongue and move it anywhere in the yard by myself.
You can find them anywhere from $2000-8000. In running condition.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
1975 13’ Boston Whaler
1977 23 Mako-project
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
Snapper, what do you mean by flats boat? When I read flats boat I think of a lightweight poling skiff that typically is without a trolling motor or live well and has shallow draft capability, and is not built for traveling across chop or rough water.
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
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Originally posted by GreenSnapper3500 lbs. of towing power.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>Just because you can, doesnt mean you should.
Those numbers are very, very, very exagerated by the manufacturer.
Consider your stopping power too.I would recommend avoiding anything over 2000lbs if they say you can pull 3500lbs. Please try to tow it before you buy it.
Also… I’m not really into flats boats, but I’m diggin’ cracker larry’s.
Key West 2300cc Mercury 225 optimax “Fish Tale”
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When I read flats boat I think of a lightweight poling skiff that typically is without a trolling motor or live well and has shallow draft capability,,,, and is not built for traveling across chop or rough water.
Exactly
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Also... I'm not really into flats boats, but I'm diggin' cracker larry's.
Thanks. I built it for a client in Texas. 18’ long, hull weight is about 500 lbs. Poles in about 3", runs in 8". It’s got a little V in the bow to help with chop, but I wouldn’t want to cross Port Royal sound on a rough day, but it would get you there. It can’t sink. Flat bottom on the aft 8’.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I will tow before I buy. My boyfriend has a Maverick and he said it is very light and he pulls it with his X5. After doing some research I think I want kevlar so when I accidentally hit things or oyster beds my boat won’t scratch. I fly fished down in belize and we used a boat called a panga, it was pretty cool. I don’t want a jon boat, they just look ugly to me.
Im pretty sure that oyster beds can scratch anything, including but not limited to hulls that contain kevlar.
Key West 2300cc Mercury 225 optimax “Fish Tale”
given your limited towing, check out some of the boats over on the Microskiff.com forums. Many boats styled like Larry’s…awesome looking skiff by the way. Ankona, ECC Gladesmen, Gheenoe, etc. I have a homemade gheenoe style skiff sitting at home that needs a motor. Great creek and duck boat.
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Im pretty sure that oyster beds can scratch anything,
Actually not. I coat the bottoms of mine with 5 coats of a graphite/epoxy mix and oysters don’t even make a scuff mark in it:smiley:
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I heard the TDI motors could tow 4500lbs. You could upgrade to a tournament edition 24’.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Kick him in the stones anyway!
Ended up going with Carolina skiff with a suzuki motor (25 horsepower). I went to Corbin’s and they put a hitch on the golf, it pulls just find (TDI 
) My boyfriend and I have been practicing putting it in the water, the best boat ramp is the one called County Farm Landing. I can’t wait to get on the flats, now I just need a platform
Nothing about this seems like real life…
21’ Maverick Master Angler
“There’s a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning” -J. Buffett