What do y’all think is a max. allowable draft for a boat to be able to effectively fish inshore around Charleston and on up towards Bulls Bay? I’m talking about for being able to get up into creeks and smaller bays, not just outside the ICW channel and docks.
Anything under a foot will get you in plenty of places. My j14 drafts 3-4" and I normally fish in 3’ or deeper.
What kind of boat do you have or what are you looking at?
2012 Carolina Skiff J14, 25 Merc, Jackplate
quote:
Originally posted by bmarvilWhat kind of boat do you have or what are you looking at?
2012 Carolina Skiff J14, 25 Merc, Jackplate
Looking at some rigs 17-19’. Maycraft 19 is top of my list for size and using nearshore and beach ferry also. Just wondering if it may run into draft issues to really be able to get to some inshore destinations. It’s published draft is 11", I would expect 14-15" would be real world, usable numbers.
I really was trying to leave that out because I don’t want this turning into KW vs SH vs blah blah blah thread. There’s more than enough of those out on the interwebs already. I’m looking very used and inexpensive so make/model will ultimately be whichever I can find in the best condition for the money. Others are KW 1720, 1900, SH 172, Scout 172, 175, 185, Maycraft 18, 19.
I would think the draft listed would be with just the boat weight, that does not include weight of motor, people, gear, ect… When you add all that it would be more than listed.
I am not sure about that, you might want to ask a dealer.
You will want better than 11-14 if you plan on going into the flats.
big dog
quote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillYou will want better than 11-14 if you plan on going into the flats.
big dog
So then I raise another question. From my list of probables, the 1720 draws the least water, 8-10" on its best day. So do you expect that great of a difference in ability to get around flats from from 8-10" to a 11-14" draft?
For other reasons that I deem more important that 6 inches of draft, a skiff and a true flats boat are both out.
I have owned a 17’ Maycraft with a 40 Yamaha for 14 years. Bought it used for five thousand dollars with trailer. This may be the best money i have ever spent. It is a bit bow lite but when you go to the bow it floats very shallow. This boat has taken several trips out to 200ft. and shrimped bulls bay. It is a skiff so it is lite and moves when you move. When it is choppy and ruff you will get wet but the ride is great, unbelievable even. The boat does have foam. I have owned numerous boats from 8ft. to 35ft. and this is my favorite so far. I will sell any boat i have but this one.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
If you’re planning on getting skinny, 8-10 is a big step from 11-14. I thought I would use the skinny capabilities of my skiff more than I do when I decided to get it. Biggest benefit of it to me right now it not having to stick to the channel when it’s low tide. I can blast over sandbars and not have to worry about hitting. I can run on plane in 12". I haven’t gotten up on the flats or anywhere that I would actually need the shallow draft yet this year and I fish 2-3 days a week.
It all depends on your true intent for the boat. If you want to pole the flats less than 10" will get you in there but that same boat is not going to perform as well in the open harbor when it gets choppy. Deeper v is going to ride better. 11-14" will get you all over the harbor, rivers and creeks. You would be surprised at how deep the channel actually is in most of the creeks around here.
IMO around here if you want to fish it all you need a 14-17’ that gets skinny and a 20-24’ for deeper and rougher water. The boats in between are the good at most things but master of none.
2012 Carolina Skiff J14, 25 Merc, Jackplate
quote:
Originally posted by andybquote:
Originally posted by Wando GrillYou will want better than 11-14 if you plan on going into the flats.
big dog
So then I raise another question. From my list of probables, the 1720 draws the least water, 8-10" on its best day. So do you expect that great of a difference in ability to get around flats from from 8-10" to a 11-14" draft?
For other reasons that I deem more important that 6 inches of draft, a skiff and a true flats boat are both out.
The 1720 is a great boat which you will enjoy. It will handle the harbor well and get you inshore nicely. Whatever you get oe draft, you will adjust to it and enjoy your fishing. That may craft sound like a very nice boat.
big dog
I fished out of a KW1720 in Murrells Inlet for about 10 years and still consider it one of the best boats we used for near shore and inlet creeks. We never fished the flats but rarely got seriously hung up in the small creeks we fished. As long as we stayed in 2’ of water, we knew we were fine. If you’re trying to fish up on the flats, every couple inches of draft will count, but they generally require a purpose built flats boat/skiff or a flat aluminum jon. If you ever plan on taking on a little rougher water near the Jetties, or crossing open bays, most of the bay boats you’re looking at are going to draft between 12-16" reel world, and you’re not gonna be fishing up on the flats anyway. Take some wading shoes or add a yak to the fleet if you find yourself wanting to get skinnier.
Personally think you’re on the right track with most of the boats listed.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
I ended up buying the Sea Hunt 172 yesterday. I like Key West better for some reason as far as build goes, but for being only inches different in length and beam, the Sea Hunt feels a lot more spacious. I like the layout a little better. As mentioned above the intent is inshore, jetties, some nearshore, and beach ferry. I’ll fish it as shallow as I can, but if I really need the 3-4" draft I already have a homemade gheenoe style 15-16 footer that I just need to buy a 10-15 hp motor for since pops took the old one for another boat.
Congratulations. Those Sea Hunts are great looking boats and i’m sure you will enjoy it. Waiting on boat and fish pictures.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
quote:
Originally posted by mattc14Congratulations. Those Sea Hunts are great looking boats and i’m sure you will enjoy it. Waiting on boat and fish pictures.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
It’s going to be a little while on fish or on-the-water pictures. I’m replacing fuel fittings and lines before getting it into service. Going to clean up the wiring too, which will probably end up in a complete rewire since it’s small and there’s only a handful of electric items on the boat.
Good choice! That boat (95% of the time) will be able to get you in all places throughout the state that hold reds. Enjoy
quote:
Originally posted by andybI ended up buying the Sea Hunt 172 yesterday. I like Key West better for some reason as far as build goes, but for being only inches different in length and beam, the Sea Hunt feels a lot more spacious. I like the layout a little better. As mentioned above the intent is inshore, jetties, some nearshore, and beach ferry. I’ll fish it as shallow as I can, but if I really need the 3-4" draft I already have a homemade gheenoe style 15-16 footer that I just need to buy a 10-15 hp motor for since pops took the old one for another boat.
Nice.Does it have a name?
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
It does not have a name. Yet. Haven’t tried hard to come up with one, but so far the girlfriend’s leading candidate is Buoy Call.
Keep us updated.
‘87 Pacemaker 31’ SF
‘04 Renegade 29’ 2 225’s
‘97 Maycraft 17’ 40 hp
Congrats. Looks like a good match for our waters. Good timing too. Fall bite is around the corner.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120