Should I Buy A Carolina Skiff?

[choochoo]

I've been real close to dropping it for a 198DLV. The only thing holding me back is some bad reviews I've read regarding water getting trapped between the deck and hull. Most of those reviews are 5 to 10 years old. What do y'all think? Has CS engineered this problem out? Anybody have any other boat suggestions or know of any good used ones for sale?

[ghostcomanche©®]

My buddy has the same boat, and it been a good fishing boat.  His has been trouble free since he's had it.

It rides a little rougher than I like, but other than that it been a good all around fishing platform.

If you work a good deal, you can get a lot of boat for your money.

[johnr]

I had a 2012 218 DLV that got water trapped in its hull, and then cracked. I bought the boat new and stored it out of the weather. After 2 years of fishing, it was full of water. Over the winter, it cracked the hull, maybe 6-8" in length just below the waterline in 2 places. I drained the hull, glassed the cracks and sent it down the road.

The newer ones allegedly have drains built into the hull to remedy this problem. I'd likely never buy one again though.

Aside from the water intrusion, we LOVED the boat for striper fishing. It was too big to easily bass, crappie or walleye fish though.

[choochoo]

I talked to the dealer and he said there are two plugs at the corners that will drain between hull and deck. Were those on your boat?

[choochoo]

How was the fishing for bass, crappie, etc. impeded? I'll want to plug at night as well as drag bait. Any thoughts?

[johnr]

No mine didn't come with those drain plugs. My biggest complaint was that the water never should have been in there in the first place, especially for the money I spent on the boat. That is neither here nor there anymore though.

The 218 was a pretty big boat, high sides, heavy, and maneuverable like a barge. I put a 101lb Terrova on it, and it was still tough to move around with any finesse, even in low wind conditions. It was great for pulling bait on planer boards, but for casting and finesse fishing it was tough. A lot of time had to be spent working the trolling motor, as the boat never wanted to "stay put". This is mostly because there is A LOT more hull out of the water than in the water.

I'm not saying it was impossible to fish multiple species with it, but it definitely lacked in those respects. The upside is that it's an incredibly stable platform that can take some serious water. It also has plenty of room for lots of occupants.

Like I said, I loved the boat for striper fishing. However, I fish for everything as the seasons progress and that boat just didn't cut it for all the other types of fishing I do(80% other species, 20% stripers). So I got a boat that can cover all the other stuff very well, while still being able to get us fishing for stripers with some slight compromises. Really, if it wasn't for the water in the hull and $4 per gallon fuel, I'd likely still be fishing from it.

[choochoo]

Thank you for your thorough answers.

[ghostcomanche©®]

Aug 26, 2016 11:32:55 GMT -5 choochoo said:

How was the fishing for bass, crappie, etc. impeded? I'll want to plug at night as well as drag bait. Any thoughts?

We don't have any problem casting to the banks for bass, striper or anchored or drifting for catfish.

With the skiff being larger than most bass boats, it is a tad bit harder to troll the banks, but that is just a control issue.  If you have a big enough trolling motor (80 + pounds thrust), you shouldn't have any problem running the banks. Also, because of it's draft, it won't quite go into the skinny water a bass boat can get into, but it doesn't miss it by much.

Wind can also be more of a problem because it sits higher in the water, but once again, a good trolling motor can take care of windy conditions for the most part.  After all, there are some days when the wind can get the best of any boat.,

A skiff is not the most streamlined boat you can get, so it doesn't cut through  the air the real great when running. If you can, get one with the highest recommended horse power.  You'll be glad you did. If you get one that is under powered, you'll probably regret it.

[choochoo]

Thank you.

[seaduck]

I know its not a dlv but I have a 05 dlx. I bought it used. I drilled 2 garboard drains in the hull. Got some water out. Alot of the water intrusion is from rigging. I took ever screw out and put a dab of 5200 hundred on it. Since then I've never gotten a drop of water out the boat. Yes the newer models come with garboard drains.

[choochoo]

Thanks

[Brian]

Aug 26, 2016 14:48:25 GMT -5 ghostcomanche©® said:

Also, because of it's draft, it won't quite go into the skinny water a bass boat can get into, but it doesn't miss it by much.

Which model Carolina skiff do you have? I'm curious because the primary mission of a traditional Carolina skiff is to fish in shallow water back in the marsh. Carolina Skiff DLX advertises a 4" draft while Skeeter bass boats advertise 16" draft

www.carolinaskiff.com/#more-carolina-skiff
www.skeeterboats.com/bass-boats

[ghostcomanche©®]

Aug 28, 2016 10:01:30 GMT -5 Brian said:

Aug 26, 2016 14:48:25 GMT -5 ghostcomanche©® said:

Also, because of it's draft, it won't quite go into the skinny water a bass boat can get into, but it doesn't miss it by much.

Which model Carolina skiff do you have? I'm curious because the primary mission of a traditional Carolina skiff is to fish in shallow water back in the marsh. Carolina Skiff DLX advertises a 4" draft while Skeeter bass boats advertise 16" draft

www.carolinaskiff.com/#more-carolina-skiff
www.skeeterboats.com/bass-boats

Brian, I don't have a skiff. I have been referring to my experience in fishing out of my buddy's skiff.

I'm not exactly sure of the draft on his boat, but I know he has not wanted to run some of the shallow water that we've seen some bassboats run.  His skiff is probably able to run shallower water than he thinks, and he just doesn't want to try it, which is OK with me (better to be safe than sorry).  He's always worried about hitting the lower unit on something in the shallower water. He will put it in real shallow water when on the TM, and I'm sure some of it has been 6" or less.