Flats Boats

I’ve heard some people say that flats boats are too light / not robust enough to handle fishing in the Carolina coast (without beating the passengers to a pulp, that is). Can anyone who’s owned a flats boat in the Carolinas give some input on your experiences? Considering buying a flats boat but definitely want to make sure the ride will be smooth enough to justify the purchase.

Who ever said that doesn’t know much. I’ve had a Hewes and an Action Craft and one day I will have a 20ft Lake and Bay. Fished the my 2 previous ones from the creeks to the jetties and loaded them with hours. In a bay boat currently and its more family friendly and fishes great, but I really enjoyed the flats boats also.

Thanks for the input Salty, I had a feeling that they weren’t giving flats boats enough credit. Tight lines.

“Only a fool thinks he knows it all.”

Depends on brand, model and size
What are you comparing?

Honestly P-K, I’ve been looking at a few older model Key West 17 footers, the 1760 stealth in particular. I’m fresh out of college and not ready to commit to an expensive boat, so these boats look like a healthy balance of quality and economy. Will certainly entertain any suggestions if you have them. Tight Lines.

“Only a fool thinks he knows it all.”

I have a Stealth. There are essentially two broad sub-categories of flats boats: 1)the technical poling skiff/micro skiff and 2) the big-water flats boat. The Stealth would the in the big water flats boat category. The hull weights 1000#s and it probably draws 10-12" fully loaded. It also has a relatively deep v on the entry then flattens out at the stern. The weight and the V allows it break the chop really well. I’ve had my Stealth for 5 years and really like it for the type of fishing I do. I get shallow enough in the creeks and I take it to the jetties when I get the bug. It is a workhorse and pairs well with a 115 or even 150hp (max). That higher HP will get you out of trouble (like at the jetties) and also allow you to pull skiers and tubers if need be. The 5 person capacity is nice too. I pole mine, but wouldn’t want to do it all day. I use the trolling motor most of the time then get on the pole when I need the “stealth” factor.

The technical poling skiff’s are cool and they sure get shallow but are a little too one-dimensional for me. HP can be 40-60 which matches the hull well but limits you in some other activities. If all you do is pole around and sight fish then the technical poling skiffs are the right choice. These may be the types of boats your friends told you about that are “too light/not robust enough for the Carolina coast”.

If you can find a good deal on a Stealth, Hewes, AC etc, go for it. I launch in the Wando at the 41 bridge and get to the jetties in about 35 minutes. If its choppy I just fish the rivers/creeks.

quote:
Originally posted by Local Cluster

I have a Stealth. There are essentially two broad sub-categories of flats boats: 1)the technical poling skiff/micro skiff and 2) the big-water flats boat. The Stealth would the in the big water flats boat category. The hull weights 1000#s and it probably draws 10-12" fully loaded. It also has a relatively deep v on the entry then flattens out at the stern. The weight and the V allows it break the chop really well. I’ve had my Stealth for 5 years and really like it for the type of fishing I do. I get shallow enough in the creeks and I take it to the jetties when I get the bug. It is a workhorse and pairs well with a 115 or even 150hp (max). That higher HP will get you out of trouble (like at the jetties) and also allow you to pull skiers and tubers if need be. The 5 person capacity is nice too. I pole mine, but wouldn’t want to do it all day. I use the trolling motor most of the time then get on the pole when I need the “stealth” factor.

The technical poling skiff’s are cool and they sure get shallow but are a little too one-dimensional for me. HP can be 40-60 which matches the hull well but limits you in some other activities. If all you do is pole around and sight fish then the technical poling skiffs are the right choice. These may be the types of boats your friends told you about that are “too light/not robust enough for the Carolina coast”.

If you can find a good deal on a Stealth, Hewes, AC etc, go for it. I launch in the Wando at the 41 bridge and get to the jetties in about 35 minutes. If its choppy I just fish the rivers/creeks.


I second this as I also run a Stealth and love it! It handles really well and is a fairly dry ride unless you get that pesky crosswind on occasion. I wish it had a little bit more storage but I cant imagine myself without this

I’ve seen Stumps whip and its really sweet…
Also don’t overlook a Scout Costa if you can find one. They aren’t made anymore but Ralph loves his so much he won’t ever get another. In fact, he’s about to have Scout do a once over to make it good as new. He’s already repowered it once but I’ll tell you that boat will last forever. Its the best riding boat hull I’ve ever seen, with a super wide bow flare that makes it incredibly dry and we have had it out in some, uh, less than flats boat conditions.


1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye

I always wondered why KW and Scout quit making those boats.

Thanks for the input everyone. Primary concerns will be finding something I can tow behind a 4Runner and staying beneath $15000. Relentlessly scanning THT and MBGForum daily while I’m supposed to be working :smiley:

Tight Lines and safe rides to all of you. - Griffin

“Only a fool thinks he knows it all.”

I’d say you already have your answers to those concerns… does your boss fish? They should understand. Lol. Good luck

Fishing Nerd

“skilled labor isn’t cheap, cheap labor isn’t skilled”

Flats boat or not, makes little difference. Any hull with walkable gunnel and flat bow.and stern decks could be called a flats boat. Generally, they are designed for shallow water use. If it is a true technical flats boat, it will be as light as possible and have very little V. Most hulls, though, make some compromises for choppy water comfort and keep some weight and some V.

Clearly, more V and the farther that V goes toward the transom and more weight will make the hull ride better. So, question isn’t whether a flats boat can handle heavy water. It’s more about what mix of compromise do you want.


17’ Henry O Hornet w/ Johnson 88 spl
26’ Palmer Scott project hull
14’ Bentz-Craft w/ Yamaha 25

Keep on looking spooby42. There are several Charleston area flats boats on craigslist right now, including this Hewes for $16,500, looks loaded.

https://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/d/charleston-hewes/6956200415.html

I bought (stole?) my Stealth on Ebay for $5K. Took another $1500 to tweak it up and I was good to go. I still check Craigslsit almost everyday to see what’s out there even though I’m not in the market.

15k is plenty to get into a water ready flats boat. Be willing to take a drive to FL or elsewhere for the right boat when it comes up.

We bought an older Hewes 18’ Bonefisher years ago and it is really a great all around boat. I’ve poled it as shallow as you need to get and still can run in the rivers when the winds is blowing and rough. Trim tabs are your friend on pretty much any of these types of boats. Florida is littered with good deals on flats style boats you just need to know what you are looking for.

I think “some people” are not giving good advice. There aren’t many days that I cannot comfortable take the Maverick 18 across St. Helena Sound to the creeks. Apickett is absolutely correct about trim tabs.

Spartanburg/Edisto
Sea Hunt 27 “Edi-tude”
Maverick 18 HPX-V

Good advice on FL. I bought my 13 Whaler in Daytona, which, by the way, is NOT a good boat for open water :slight_smile: Not that I haven’t crossed the Cooper in an SCA a few times :face_with_head_bandage:


1966 13’ Boston Whaler “Flatty”
2018 Sportsman Masters 207
www.eyestrikefishing.com #predatorsstriketheeye

Solid advice everyone. I’ll be in position to buy around midwinter, so I have a little time to do some homework. I spend more time hitting jetties than poling in skinny water, although that could change soon. I’ve got a special eye out for an older Maverick, ActionCraft, or small Hewes for sure. Also saw an enticing listing for a remodeled Dolphin 18 that looked as though it had been carefully maintained.

Not really looking for a project, but also wouldn’t mind the chance to outfit a rig myself to suit my style of fishing, provided the price was reasonable for what I would have to do.

“Only a fool thinks he knows it all.”

quote:
Originally posted by spooby42

Also saw an enticing listing for a remodeled Dolphin 18 that looked as though it had been carefully maintained.
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That hull will out ride anything in its class, based off the Shipoke 18 hull. Amazing ride.

Not mine but a sweet skiff…

https://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/d/mount-pleasant-dolphin-super-skiff/6961919911.html

SeaPro 220CC

Dixie Craft-custom flats boat