thinking about a boat (Carolina Skiff?)

[jthompsonjr]

Now this is a year or more down the line probably, but...<br /><br />I'm thinking about buying a boat. Well, I've been thinking about it a lot for a while now, but it looks like I might be able to afford one by next winter or spring. Here's what I'll mainly be using it for:<br /><br />1. Lake fishing in NC (crappie and striper fishing).<br />2. Flounder, trout, etc., in the bays and sounds of the NC coast.<br />3. Calm days, out the inlet trolling for spanish and such.<br /><br />Now obviously I'll have lots to learn (I've boated for years but haven't done much in the saltwater), and I'll be patient and learn and all that.<br /><br />But what kind of boat should I be looking at? I'm thinking something along the lines of a Carolina Skiff maybe? 19 ft range?<br /><br />Also, looking at not spending a ton of money ($15K or less).<br /><br />Whatcha think, oh wise ones?

 

[KCook]

Re: thinking about a boat (Carolina Skiff?)

Welcome to iboats jthompsonjr <br /><br />For items 2 and 3 methinks a 21' model would extend your range a little, concerning conditions. That or switch to a bay boat. A roll gunnel type bay boat should not be as dear as the fancy linered ones.<br /><br />unwise Kelly

 

[PAkev]

Re: thinking about a boat (Carolina Skiff?)

The Carolina Skiff is a good utility boat ie. hauling crab pots, minnow nets, clamming gear, etc. However, most skiff style boats are not really set up for ideal fishing applications and lack the practical things recognized in other alternatives.<br /><br />It sounds like a bay boat will fit your needs a lot better. A boat in the 18-21 foot range will probably require a motor in the 115-150 HP arena. Although there are many boats and motors in aged condition that will fit your budget parameters, you may have to look good and be ready to buy when the good condition $15 K deal comes along.<br /><br />I purchased a Polar 2010 bay boat 2 years ago and am pleased with it.

 

[HeadHunt]

Re: thinking about a boat (Carolina Skiff?)

I fish NC and have run all the inlets around the OBX. I see skiffs every now and then go through but I would not do it. Several get flipped every year at OI. Sounds like you need a bay boat. In the 15k range look at the Seahunt, Sea Pro's and Sailfish 206. You are talking used of course in that price range.<br /><br />Good Luck,<br />HH

 

[AJ168]

Re: thinking about a boat (Carolina Skiff?)

If you're in a flat bottom boat in any kind of chop have fun. I agree with everybody else, a bay boat is the way to go. I think Carolina Skiff even makes one, Sea Chaser, I think. Nice V hull center console. <br />You may even want to go for a walk around in the 20 foot range. There's plenty of nice ones out there for under $10k. Mine was only $4000 but of course it required another thousand worth of work done and doesn't look all that great but it's a fishing machine.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: thinking about a boat (Carolina Skiff?)

Dad and I have mckees - NC made as well - these flat bottom boats are very very stable, lots of room to move around<br /><br />However in choppy water they handle poorly - lots of spray - heavy pounding.<br /><br />I would say if you were to use it in calm weather on the bays etc you will have no problem, we never did. <br /><br />However, calm weather can be a misnomer on the ocean.<br /><br />I dont ever really see this boats on the lakes in nc - mostly on the lakes I see bass boats on the lakes.<br /><br />You can easily do what we do on our 17ft mckee - the plan for the day would be to fish the "inside waters" estuaries, tidal areas etc. If the day also "happened" to be calm and nice we would hit the inlets as well. That way the inlets were a bonus to fishing rather than the plan to fish them.<br /><br />This way we did not feel pressured to get out into the ocean if conditions were not ideal for our boat.<br /><br />Tomatolord