Flats Boats

[stephensj9]

Who's got em? Pros/Cons of what you have? Anyone who has pictures of what the have post em up. I've been looking at used ($10,000 range) and honestly don't have any experience with flats boats so I don't know exactly what I would want in one or which brands are better or worse than others. I would mainly be using it in freshwater rivers/lakes around home with the occasional trip to the coast, maybe 8-10 weekends a year. I've always had and fished off of 21-24ft center console or bay boats and I would like to have something a little smaller and less expensive. Would like to have one big enough that my wife and 2 small kids could get in with me from time to time for a joy ride but it'd mostly be used for 2 people fishing. If you've had one and have a family and it didn't work it'd be nice to know now before I do a ton of research and possibly buy one. I read dawhoo's review post and it did narrow things down a little bit but its always better to have opinions from people who have and use them regularly.

[Dawhoo]

In the 10k range...

1) Ankona - several models
2) Mitzi 17 in the 2004 to 2006 range
3) Salt Marsh skiffs

In that order

[britton40]

I know where a 18' Maverick HPX-V is with a Yamaha 90 4 stroke with low hours is for sale. Mid 20's.

[britton40]

For 10k I would be looking at a used Hewes Redfisher 16 with a Yamaha 2 stroke 90.

[Dawhoo]

[IMG][/IMG]

[MorningWoody]

Mitzi skiffs are badass. Ive fished one a couple times in FL. Great dry ride.

[sut]

My buddy has a 17 mitzi it serves it purpose.


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[mrtroy4man]

Or look for an Action Craft

[turbo]

It's a flats boat.

There's no such thing as a "dry ride" unless it's slicker than owl shit.

All of the listed makes are fine flats boats. They all serve their purpose. None of them ride dry.

[stephensj9]

Dawhoo, what size is your boat? I looked at Ankona which seemed to be the cheapest of all the boats new but just wasn't sure on quality of the hull.

[Griffin]

Yall are really trying to get me started on mitzi.

[drwilly]

you could save some money w just a smaller boat that isn't a flats boat. doesn't sound like you need a flats boat. of course a flats boat w a yeti cooler speaks for itself.

[Whackumstackum]

A mitzi wont fit your requirements, its a tech skiff, they ride like shit. Actioncraft, Hewes or a Back Country Pro guide might fit the bill, 10k limits you big time IMO and I haven't found a flats boat the wife liked. Ive owned several over the last 2 decades, I miss my action craft the most.

[Griffin]

It's a flats boat.

There's no such thing as a "dry ride" unless it's slicker than owl shit.

All of the listed makes are fine flats boats. They all serve their purpose. None of them ride dry.

Bullshit. Our resident capt can attest a 2 foot chop in my "flats" and being bone dry

[Dawhoo]

Dawhoo, what size is your boat? I looked at Ankona which seemed to be the cheapest of all the boats new but just wasn't sure on quality of the hull.

I have a 17 and contrary to what the others say, it is a pretty dry ride. It has a overhang cap that is very good at keeping the spray off.

Regarding Ankona's hulls... They are extremely popular boats in South Florida. Great hull, minimal finishing to keep price affordable.

[turbo]

I'll bet it's a smooth ride in that 2' chop too, ain't it...

[jws]

My buddy has a mitzi and you will be wet if you get in any chop. Other than that it fishes real nice.

[stephensj9]

Yall are really trying to get me started on mitzi.

Lets hear it griffin.

[Buckin Bronco]

It's a flats boat.

There's no such thing as a "dry ride" unless it's slicker than owl shit.

All of the listed makes are fine flats boats. They all serve their purpose. None of them ride dry.

That's not necessarily true. Go ride in a hells bay waterman or spear boatworks. You won't get wet.

[JBtflo]

you could save some money w just a smaller boat that isn't a flats boat. doesn't sound like you need a flats boat. of course a flats boat w a yeti cooler speaks for itself.

That'd make you practically a celebrity.