SKiffs all around catfish boat or not

[bluecatnut]

I was looking to see if the boc could once again answer one of the many questions of life like could a good size skiff like lets say 22ft by 8ft be a good all around cat boat cause u can get then in 1 1/2 feet of water lots of room center console big front deck for storage lots of room for rods holders and live wells 3 can fish rather comfortable out of one and what size motor would u recomend i was thinking a e-tec 125 what do u all think

[ShilohRed]

I was looking to see if the boc could once again answer one of the many questions of life like could a good size skiff like lets say 22ft by 8ft be a good all around cat boat cause u can get then in 1 1/2 feet of water lots of room center console big front deck for storage lots of room for rods holders and live wells 3 can fish rather comfortable out of one and what size motor would u recomend i was thinking a e-tec 125 what do u all think


Rusty I would say it would work.
Post a link to the one your looking at.
Pete

[Mark J]

You have pros and cons with any boat.
The barge type flat bottoms are the most stable boats out there for a fishing platform.
I wouldn't waste my money on a 125 cause speed is going to rupture your kidneys or cause you to bite your tongue off with any hint of a wave.
They dont ride good.

[IrishO'Brady]

agreed, in general... the shallower the running the rougher the ride. I don't pass through 2 ft. of water to get to too many cats tho heh.

[Mark J]

Big motors arent a shallow drive.
If you really have the need and wants to go shallow the best course to take and the cheapest is building a boat like the XF-20 or Extreme flats boat. Otherwise expect to spend around 30,000.
To buy a comparable boat would be real expensive.
Seen pictures of this boat wide open throttle in ankle deep water and its a 20x8 Garvey design.

I could turn key this boat for myself for 7000 including trailer and tiller steer 30 horse motor And she would run 30MPH no problem.

[special liberty]

I recently purchased a Carolina Skiff 218DLV, a 21 foot center console with a 8 foot beam powered by a 115 4 stroke Yamaha. The DLV's have a mod v bow and kind of look like a Boston Whaler. Tons of fishing room and storage. They come with fore and aft decks, flip cooler seat and bait live well. I usually fish 8 rods with 4 adults and have room to spare - very comfortable, no tripping over gear or each other. In 2-3 foot waves it will pound ya to death at wide open (40 mph by GPS) but if you back it down to around 25 mph it's a pretty comfortable, dry ride. IMO it's the perfect big river catfishing rig - rugged without all the fancy gear most boats of this size come with - hose her down when I get home and I'm done.