Looking for the next boat but I am struggling to find brands/models that meet my criteria. Suggestions would be helpful.
Draft: Max 12" would prefer 10"
Length: 19-24
Used Price: Under 28k for 2000 and newer boat/motor
Must have a flat front casting deck. This has turned me off of several boats.
I currently own a 16’ Action Craft and I am looking for something that I can still drop the trolling motor on and fish fairly shallow water but also run to the jetties and handle the harbor on most days. Would also like to be able to take friends out and just enjoy the water.
I have looked at Pathfinders but haven’t gotten really excited about them because of the front deck although i have not been on one.
If anyone has something that they would suggest i would happily buy gas and lunch in exchange for a sat or sun morning on the water.
I know some guys think they are too rough riding…
But I’ve had my 2012 Carolina Skiff 198 DLV for over a month and LOVE it.
Huge flat casting platforms up front and rear, livewell, I had her floating in .9 the other day, minn Kota up front handles the boat exceptionally well.
They are affordable, tough, and float in the skinniest of water.
Mine is powered with a 90 mercury, WOT with “my normal load” I go 35-37MPH. Which to me, is more then enough on a skiff.
I regularly fish the jetties, inshore creeks, grillage, harbors, and pretty much anything else around here.
I love my Robalo Cayman 206 bay boat. I had pretty much the same criteria when I was looking for a new boat a few years back. Floats in less than a ft of water, has a nice casting platform, takes us comfortably to the CHS 60 on a nice day, and runs like a champ with a Yammie 150 on the back. Sturdy and very stable.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me “sir” without adding, “you’re making a scene.”
(Homer Simpson)
1988 17’ Seaswirl Luckydutch I (sold)
2010 21’ Seahunt Luckydutch II (sold)
2014 21’ Robalo Cayman R206 Luckydutch III
I agree with lbarker. I have had quite a few boats, and for inshore use, the Carolina Skiff really stands out. We have had a DLX model which will get you into really skinny water but is painful into a chop, but we currently have a 218 DLV (with trim tabs). This is a wide, stable, shallow draft, and reasonably affordable boat that suits this inshore environment well. We frequently go to the Jetties and to the reefs in 2 to 3 foot seas as well. The trim tabs are needed to keep the bow down, and for a smooth ride in a larger swell the boat needs to stay at or below 20 knots. I’m sure there other makes that suit your search, but we have been very happy with our skiff!
A friend of mine had a Sea Pro bay boat from the mid 2000’s, I loved fishing out of it. It had excellent rear and front cast decks, GPS trolling motor. Small enough for inshore, large enough for nearshore. Easy to fish out of. You may be able to pick up one of those for under 28K. Most of the other boats recommended on this thread seemed way over 28k to me.
Sounds like you’re looking for a Bulls Bay 2000 or 2200. Just got mine and came from a similar boat and it’s doing everything I want it to do. Customer service from Carolina Coposits is top notch. These are the old proven SeaPro 19 & 21sv molds built side by side with Pioneers. There’s a good FB owners group with the occasional lightly used one for sale. Come on over.
2200 Bulls Bay w/150 Zuke
16’ High Tide Flats Edition
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
Cobia 21 Bay gets no fanfare but it’s a great boat. We love ours. Made by the same guys who build Pathfinder, Hewes, and Maverick; it is essentially a slightly shortened Pathfinder 22 hull. Very good build quality and performance. Stick with I think 2012 or newer to get the MBC (Maverick/pathfinder) built boat. You can definitely find one under 30k.
