Thinking of buying a kit boat

[gotboostedvr6]

I'm editing the hell out of this post B/c i keep changing my mind :)


I'm in the market to buy a Plain old carolina skiff kit boat/ bathtub it will only have a Bench and maybe a front casting deck to keep the weight way down

Now, a day before i was going to leave a deposit on my 1765 I'm having second thoughts on if I should just buy the 1780.

Let me get you up to speed
Just before i sold my 16 foot Glasstron-Carlson CV-16 I mounted a 04 Yamaha 20" 25hp 4 stroke tiller on it and went for a test ride. If memory serves it pushed around 25-26 mph on my GPS and didnt take too much to get on plane, about 14 mph. That hull was around 900lbs and had a really deep v and was very bow light.

That taken into consideration, the 1765 and the 1780 both are lighter and are both Flat bottom. One is 65" at the beam marked from the chines the other is 80". The 1765 looks like a proper 17 foot boat the 1780 is HUGE!!! i mean its insanely wide at 94.6"< measured my me :). Being that they are flat bottom they should get on plane at a very low speed. They weigh 750 and 800lbs respectably. being that they are flat bottom they should get on plane at a very low speed. I'm wondering if anyone thinks there would be an issue with pushing 3 people at 600 lbs total with the 1765 or 1780 hull and motor with only a bench in the boat, no console or front deck so they might even be lighter then 750-800 lbs.

Fuel economy and light weight are king as i will be using this boat in the Delaware chasing stripers in 1-3 foot of water over rocks.

It will also serve as my bay and inlet boat, with the occasional trip outside

gunnel height is around 32" for the 1765 and 35" for the 1780

Remember they are flat bottom not a V bottom so they can carry weight much better then what we expect

Let me know what you think

DLX 1765
Print this page
LOAwhat is this? .............16' 11"
DRAFTwhat is this? .............3" to 6"
BEAMwhat is this? .............77.25"
GUNNEL HEIGHTwhat is this? .............
TRANSOM HEIGHTwhat is this? .............15"20"/25"
DEADRISEwhat is this? .............0
BOAT WEIGHT .............800 lb.
WEIGHT CAPACITY .............1515 lb.
MAX PEOPLE .............8
MAX HORSEPOWER .............75 HP
http://www.carolinaskiff.com/listman/listings/images/13_1.jpg

DLX 1780
Print this page
LOAwhat is this? .............17' 2"
DRAFTwhat is this? .............3" to 6"
BEAMwhat is this? .............93"
GUNNEL HEIGHTwhat is this? .............
TRANSOM HEIGHTwhat is this? .............15"/20"/25"
DEADRISEwhat is this? .............0
BOAT WEIGHT .............850 lb.
WEIGHT CAPACITY .............1800 lb.
MAX PEOPLE .............8
MAX HORSEPOWER .............90
http://www.carolinaskiff.com/listman/listings/images/11_1.jpg

[gotboostedvr6]

anyone on here have experience with Carolina skiff?

[Just In Time]

get ready to get SOAKED!!!!!THESE BOATS ARE REALLY WET ESPECIALLY IN THE OCEAN, SINCE THE FRONT OF THE BOAT IS FLAT, WHEN IT HIT'S A WAVE (OR A RIPPLE) IT SENDS A SPLASH FORWARD AND THEN YOU PASS RIGHT THROUGH IT. ALSO THEY ARE INFAMOUS FOR HOOKING WHILE TURNING BECAUSE OF THE SQUARED EDGES, SENT SOME PEOPLE FLYING ONCE OR TWICE. IF YOU GET ONE GET A JV SERIES W/ A SLIGHT VEE.

[gotboostedvr6]

hmm thanks for the input thats good to know

[delawarerick]

We rented a 16 ft down in the keys and it had some serious cracks in the floor in fact all of the rentals did. Was very flimsy when it hit a wave. It moved good for only having a 15 merc on it but it did take water from somewhere. Rick

[jtb]

do you own a back brace?

[merctech5591]

driven one a few times, they turn or should i say slide when trying to turn .. :D

[Matt Gent]

J14 with a 25hp will do what you want. Its as big inside as you will get with a 14' boat, and will plane with a decent load. Ride improves with a V-bottom, but planing and speed will decrease. The 16 is a lot larger but will perform similarly.

Lots of these boats around here, a few guys at work have them.. My 17' skiff is very similar to a Carolina. Take it for what it is - cheap, simple, and basic. They're not particularly light for what they are.

If you truly want a kit boat, look at boatbuildercentral.com . Carolina skiff is more of a production boat with some options you can add.

[gotboostedvr6]

bump ttt

[gotboostedvr6]

ok im real close to buying now and have updated my first post to include new details..

[Tom Foley]

I'd get the wider one , you'll need more power than a 25 though .

[Mr. Spack]

Have you considered aluminum? Xpress makes a nice variety of hulls that would work for you in the shallows. They are common here on the WI river for running skinny water. A friend of mine has a 20' with a 115 and center console that will run over anything practically.

[Quinten]

I used to ride along in a 14-16 foot skiff with a Merc 18hp. With 3 men, bait, beer cooler and tackle, it performed like we weren't in the boat. Be sure to wear your lanyard, people come out of this boat easier than any other I've seen. A smaller beer cooler would probably help with that. I should add that this was back water only. I would not want to be in the bay with it on a windy day.

[Mr.Rude]

Soaking Wet Kidney Killer!!!

[Cobra1racer]

driven one a few times, they turn or should i say slide when trying to turn .. :D


Sounds like a cracker box.:eek: :eek:

[gotboostedvr6]

Thanks guys, these (and others on different forums) were the replys i was looking for. Honestly im now doubting my yama 25 will be able to push the 1765 and or the 1780 with any sort of load. The ride charitistics that have been detailed here have pushed me away from these flat bottom hulls... This is not a bad thing as i would have been pissed if i bought it and wasent 100% happy.
Lucky for me i was able to pick up a unrigged 16 foot v bottom SeaNymph tonight that will hold me and my yamaha over till i find something that will suit my needs better.

Looks like it will be a good river/ bay boat after i remove the side console and the couch so i can use my tiller :)
price was real cheap so i couldnt pass it up


http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c24/gotboostedvr6/My%20Current%20Fishen%20Boats/DSC00037-1-1.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c24/gotboostedvr6/My%20Current%20Fishen%20Boats/DSC00035-1-1.jpg
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c24/gotboostedvr6/My%20Current%20Fishen%20Boats/DSC00034-1-1.jpg

[hosejockey4506]

ok im real close to buying now and have updated my first post to include new details..

are you not reading peoples replies

[gotboostedvr6]

are you not reading peoples replies


did you not read mine :)