quote:
Originally posted by P-Kbtw … the 2 worst boats I ever owned were 13 and 17 ft whalers
My chiropractor loved them thougn
I wouldn’t give up my 13 whaler for anything. When it gets rough, I slow down. For me, its the perfect inshore boat.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com
Sometime in the late 1970s my wife and I were in the Abacos, anchored up in a 32’ sailboat, in a sweet protected spot inside Double Breasted Cay waiting out some bad weather. 2 local fishermen approached us under sail in a little Bahamian skiff, about 13’ long. It had a removable cedar tree mast, a sail made from croaker sacks, an old 10 HP outboard, and a sculling oar. Must of been near 100 years old, the inside bottom of it was coated in what looked to be Sacrete, or some kind of concrete, or plaster mix, to help keep the water out. You could see daylight through the seams in the sides. One man talked, while one man steady bailed with a coffee can. They needed a spark plug and wanted to trade. They didn’t care what kind of spark plug, as long as it would fit in the holes.
I had some spares for the dinghy and said sure, we can trade for something. They asked if we wanted fish, lobster, conch, turtle, cocaine, or weed for the spark plug. We said lobster and conch only please. I paid in advance with a spark plug that fit the hole and off they went. A few hours later they came back with 12 lobsters like this…I was younger then…
And 12 conch, which they taught me how to clean and beat until tender, and how prepare. 12 of each, for a spark plug, not a bad deal 
Best conch I ever ate. They stopped in every day for about 3 days, and we traded hot beer for fresh seafood every day. On the 3rd day the wind was still howling and I still wasn’t going anywhere. They sailed up in that little boat, that most people in the USA wouldn’t have considered to make a good flower box in the yard, it was filled to the gunwales with fish, lobster and conch, and had 2 big green turtles on top to hold it all in. They were still alive and were probably 100 pounds each. And the men are sitting on top of the turtles and sailing the boat.
Said they were heading to Nassau to sell their catch. Nassau was 100 miles away across open o
Bentz Craft
Wadmalaw native
17’ Bentz-Craft flats 90yammy
15’ Alumacraft, 1979 35 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by GeronimoI know it is probably not what you are looking for, but living here all my life, I have always looked at the 16’ High Tide as the standard for SC backwater activities. And apparently a lot of people up and down the SC coast feel the same way.
I watched an older gent pull up to the S.Island landing in GTown years ago and begin unloading portable fuel tanks, then proceed to pull some Mahi Mahi from a 16’ HighTide. Shocked, I asked where he’d been to catch them and he said the Gulf Stream. Said it handled it fine he just needed a larger fuel tank.
I wouldn’t try that with one, but like you I’ve fished out of many in my life in a variety of conditions. Nothing fancy but a hard fishing boat. Now have a “Flats” version that I quite enjoy being able to walk all the way around her without stepping down into the floor but it’s cramped with more than 2 on board.
Father had an older 17’ KeyWest “Pro” version which had a more rear set console, flush mount hardware and forward and rear decks that made for an excellent inshore rig similar to the larger “Stealths”. Wish they still made them like that.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
quote:
Originally posted by specThanks BB,CL, & Geronimo! I was wondering if folks on here were gonna let that slide. My family has owned many different kinds of boats, and the reason I have kept this one is it meets my on the water needs - from tiny, shallow creeks, reds on the flats, setting shrimp poles in shallow water, to safety in rough conditions - it can do any job inshore. It can be quickly reconfigured depending on the task at hand.
Thanks for posting those pictures. The guy in this kind of boat is the kind I like to follow on the water. I figure his priorities are right: That he cares more about getting on the water and catching fish than sitting at the marina showing off. I figure that if his boat could talk it would have many stories from which I could learn. I’d rather have that boat and time to fish than my 22’ dream rig and be spending all my time trying to pay for it.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
Your welcome JLee. Thanks for the support. Those who fish with me will tell you I am not the best fisherman. Years ago when I spent a lot of time on the water, I could put you on fish. But, I fish with excellent fishermen, and try to learn from them. Some of them have really nice boats. I just don’t get to fish enough these days to justify those big payments.
Yes, that old boat could tell some stories. Dad bought it in 1981, I think. We had a twin sterndrive deep V boat for the offshore stuff, but this boat was for inshore where the deep V could not go.
Dad and I had many, many successful Cobia, trout, shrimp, and “spottail” trips in that boat, mostly in Broad River. We almost got drowned in the shipping channel one day when a sudden blow and tide change stacked up some house sized waves. The old boat brought us home, but gave us a good bath in the process.
I’m not saying this type boat is for everyone. It might not be right for anyone other than me. That is why there are hundreds of different types of boats. The thread asked for our idea of the ideal backwater/inshore boat, and that is mine. Thanks for all the support on here!
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I too thought of Bentz Craft when reading the title of the thread. They are back in production:
http://www.ulmerboatworks.com/home.html
quote:
Originally posted by leadenwahboyBentz Craft
Wadmalaw native
17’ Bentz-Craft flats 90yammy
15’ Alumacraft, 1979 35 Johnson
quote:
Originally posted by goldfishI too thought of Bentz Craft when reading the title of the thread. They are back in production:
http://www.ulmerboatworks.com/home.htmlquote:
Originally posted by leadenwahboyBentz Craft
Wadmalaw native
17’ Bentz-Craft flats 90yammy
15’ Alumacraft, 1979 35 JohnsonX2
Don’t know the poster that called Specs boat a POS but can’t
imagine what he would call a couple of the ones I’ve had!!! Had one
that I made out of tongue and grove pine boards sealed with coal tar
and cotton rope!!!
just sayn.
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
How about Parker? The 1801 hull drafts 7" and is fairly wide. It’s a good all around choice for inshore and heading out on calm days.
This custom Bayshore flats boat is a thing of beauty. Kind of pricy, but it is for sale.
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=37796
quote:
Originally posted by goldfishI too thought of Bentz Craft when reading the title of the thread. They are back in production:
http://www.ulmerboatworks.com/home.html
Oh I know. I’m family of Robert, and have spoken with Mike Ulmer about the new boats a few times. He’s great, and has some of Robert’s original helpers helping him out on the first few. Building them the same way Robert did years ago. They will be a little pricey, but we all know what you’re paying for…
Can’t wait to see a new one and take a ride. I’ve been in a Bentz Craft one way or another for my entire life…
Wadmalaw native
17’ Bentz-Craft flats 90yammy
15’ Alumacraft, 1979 35 Johnson
I hope you were referring to some else with initials and not me, Easy!! If my post set you off, let me know why! He slammed my boat too.
bgf, I !really messed that one up and again I apologize! As I told you in the PM! It was P-K that called the man’s boat a POS and I took umbrage to it! A man’s boat, is a man’s boat! You don’t have to like it, as long as he does! You don’t have to call it a POS! I might think that about something you value, but don’t have to say it! And I still think P-K is an AH, for saying something like that!
I like the Parker. Seven inch draft, yet with good freeboard means it can do skinny or rough water. I sometimes wish my boat were a few feet shorter, which would make it easier to trailer.
But, then I appreciate the roominess. And, the extra length helps make it a stable net casting platform. That extra stability helps on those windy nights near the end of the season when the shrimp are in big water. I saw some smaller boats taking chop over the bow the last couple of nights of last baiting season.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Larry…You a Treasure to on this site. I love your stories, that last one was funny as Hail. I would have like to rolled with you back in the day.
No worries Easy, I didn’t REALLY think you were referring to me, but certainly didn’t aim to insult anyone.
quote:
Larry...You a Treasure to on this site. I love your stories, that last one was funny as Hail. I would have like to rolled with you back in the day
Thank you, sir. That’s very kind of you to say
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
What’s everyone’s opinion on cat hulls for inshore? You don’t see many around here however the design is very popular especially on the Gulf Coast.
This is not an endorsement as I have never even been on one of Ralph Brown’s hulls but I do enjoy his videos.
Running in ankle deep water:
https://youtu.be/Hrhh0GhNkqM
Before anyone says that’s a neat trick but the hull doesn’t have enough freeboard, or that it won’t handle a sea, watch this:
Finishing a transatlantic crossing
https://youtu.be/bejapm6JW0c
Seems to me a cat hull around here would be a versatile platform inshore. I’m not going to run one to Bermuda but they do look like a boat that would do well in these waters.
quote:
Originally posted by ScharkWhat’s everyone’s opinion on cat hulls for inshore? You don’t see many around here however the design is very popular especially on the Gulf Coast.
I love the Cat hull for off shore, fished a little inshore with one on a trip back in. Just too high and bulky for inshore use… imo. Unless you limit your inshore to anchored bottom fishing. Maybe a good platform for cobia/adult beverage drinking inshore in a little slop.