re: Flats boat. Any of you own one?

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simplicity of skiffs

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Has 72 insulated fish box I made out of the release welland a rtic 30 fits in the bait well, so everything has its place. Nothing loose on the deck.

The hewes are fine, bigger boat that would let you chase trout a little more .

Man, if those had less deck, they would be perfect.

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How shallow are you trying to get? I have a 22ft skeeter that will float in 11 inches of water, sometimes less depending on the bottom. I can then cross a nasty bay and lay the trim tabs down and it handles fine

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It's not just about getting shallow, when fishing lures on the flats of under 2ft for reds and big trout boat size matters. It's so much easier getting close to fish in a 16ft skiff than a 22-24 bay with a tower.

Additionally, I'd like a travel skiff I can easily launch and fish on my own with. And that's easy to clean, and furthermore that I can bass and bream fish in sloughs. I prefer to fish with a friend or 2, but it's also nice to have a little skiff you can take out on your own for 3 hours and takes 15 minutes to clean up than a 24 bay that takes 45 by yourself.

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My fishing boat has to double as a summer water sports/camping boat. She, who must be obeyed, demands lots of room for her and the small child plus guests. Otherwise, I'd go back to a bass boat and call it a day.

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Makes sense. One compromise for you may be a Blazer 675 Ultimate. Sort of combines a bass hull, bay boat cap, and a larger flats boat in one. May not have all the space she’s looking for, but it’s worth a look in person. I have Kevin's (Blazer owner) contact number somewhere and can give it to you if needed. I was seriously considering one, before I found the Pathfinder I'm currently running, so I kept his card.

675 article

Dang. How fast you think that could go with a 115 if propped right?


I just looked at their 18. I may be in love.

I get your reservations about the decking with kids and using it as a recreation boat. But the biggest wow factor in my boat was the beam width and deck space (granted the deck was only 8" higher than the rest of the boat). Two guys could cast from the front of that boat barely having to watch out for each other (which is pretty awesome for a ,17' boat). You could fish 3 people and no one was really ever in a shitty place.



When I had my son (I was also moving at the time), I sold the boat and said I'd get something more kid friendly when the time came. I may still do that, but it will never be as nice as the other set up....at least for pond hopping and sight casting. I'd probably upgrade to a different boat...something easier to pole and a little faster. But if it were purely about fishing, I'd get another decked over flats boat again in a heartbeat.

I ran an 18HPX for 2 years, great boat.
That one in your picture is simply gorgeous and I believe that's the one for sale on MBC classified.

When did they quit making them? I mean, I get it. The phantom is pretty much the same boat that can hold a bigger engine.