Action craft it is I think
quote:Shipoke 18 and dolphin 18 backcountry are the same hull with a different cap. I have been on most of the boats in this thread and to be honest I havent found any of them that come close to the ride or the dolphin 18 in our harbor. The egret is probably my second choice with the action 1820 coming in third... good luck with your search and dont settle on any boat until you have ridden on the closest competitors!
Originally posted by salty849My next flats boat will either be a 201 BC pro guide or a Shipoke 18. I have Owned an Action Craft and Hewes but the Shipoke is a rocket ship that just eats up the slop and the BC is huge with plenty of space and is also extremely quick with the right power. Slap a good trolling motor on either and your set.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
“Everybody dances when shotgun sings” Stewart and Winfield
You’ll have to decide it you want to pole in 8-10" of water or fish 3-4 guys comfortably. I think you’ll need a 18’ to fish 3-4 adults and I can’t imagine having that many guys on a boat and being able to pole in 8" of water.
I just sold a 16 Hewes and this is an awesome boat and I’ll be upgrading to the 18 for many of the reasons you described. You can fish 3-4 adults and still pole (I’m not poling with 4 guys), but with 2 guys the 18 Hewes will get plenty skinny.
I personally prefer the Hewes because these boats have more of the creature comforts and have wider beams that allow a couple guys to have some room. It isn’t the skinniest boat, but it is plenty skinny to fish where I want to fish.
Also, I sold my Hewes in less than a week and there is a cult following with the Maverick line of boats. There is a reason you see a ton of Hewes in the Charleston area.
18 maverick hpx with 115 yamaha
quote:
Originally posted by Island Boyquote:Shipoke 18 and dolphin 18 backcountry are the same hull with a different cap. I have been on most of the boats in this thread and to be honest I havent found any of them that come close to the ride or the dolphin 18 in our harbor. The egret is probably my second choice with the action 1820 coming in third... good luck with your search and dont settle on any boat until you have ridden on the closest competitors!
Originally posted by salty849My next flats boat will either be a 201 BC pro guide or a Shipoke 18. I have Owned an Action Craft and Hewes but the Shipoke is a rocket ship that just eats up the slop and the BC is huge with plenty of space and is also extremely quick with the right power. Slap a good trolling motor on either and your set.
-Albemarle 248xf “Chella”
-Dolphin 18BC Pro
-Miscellaneous boats
“Everybody dances when shotgun sings” Stewart and Winfield
You are correct! They are bad to the bone when crossing big water when it’s gets snotty, the Dolphins setup is nice also with the center console. I can’t knock the action craft either, I like that hull a lot, but it still won’t run with that shipoke hull.
I have a Stealth with a 115 Yamaha 4 stroke. It is an awesome boat. A little heavier than some so it takes a little more effort to pole. However, it is a dry boat and can take a beating. Also, I did not have to take out a second mortgage to have a fishing boat.