opinion on carolina skiffs

[Seadog1]

i am getting a new boat strictly for crabbing was looking at a 19' car. skiff and a old 18' rinker closed bow, my question is how stable are the skiffs its a side console with a dipper on the same side is that to much weight? never rode on one any thoughts?

dj

[POLECAT]

Before you spend your $$$, get a ride in both and then make your decision. Both hulls have their merits.

[Captain Fogle]

Hello, I have had boats before I had vehicles. I have had a 21' since 1992 and use it just about every week from April through October, Flounder fishing and Crabbing. Great boat for what I use her for. Mind is side console because I crab by myself. Now for your question. If you use the auto dipper, I really think it will handle it if you mount the post towards the center of the boat. You will be constantly steering and countersteering it to keep it straight on the line because it will pull towards the line because of the drawl of the dipper. The boat will still be stable though, you may have to balance your load in the boat towards the port side. I do alot of countersteering on the line and I don't have a dipper. Maybe consider a longer Skiff,21 or 24'er. I would go no shorter than 21'. I use to have a Sea Ox years ago, that boat would be the one for the dipper or a Privateer, these type boats might be a better choice but are hard to find, a good used one.

Rick

[Seadog1]

thanks for the replys, the auto dipper i have is 11 yrs old and hes not that automatic matter a fact hes about 50%. :eek:i just dont know how stable they are with 2 guys on one side

[trapshoot]

dj;

I have a 19' Carolina Skiff. It is super stable. Even with 4 ppl on 1 side. The skiff I have is a 198. It is 80" wide. What model is the one you are looking at?

Vince

[Big Liar]

As far as pulling the boat to one side, it will not make any difference by placing the pole in the center of the boat. The dipper still has to be in the water on one side with a rope running to the front of the boat. The dipper being in the water on one side of the boat, causes it to pull no matter where you mount the pole. The pole is just a pivot point. Plus if you mounted it in the middle of the boat, the dipper would nearly be over your head once you lifted it up to dump it.

I have a dipper on my 20' boat. You do crab a little sideways down the line but there is a secret as far as the steering wanting to pull to the right. Trim your motor up like your running on plane, and the weight of the motor counter acts the pull of the motor to the right. I can let go of my steering wheel once going straight down the line, and the boat will lay right there. Believe me, I fought with this until someone shared this secret with me.

Hope this helps.

[Seadog1]

its a 19'dl? its not the v series he said it was the deep gunnel series? 2001 has a 2001 honda 50 4s hes asking 5000 i thought it was a good deal? i am not a boat expert by any means

[DuckButler]

I've got a 16' lowe w/ a 25 Yam 4 and it'll take 2 adults and an 11 yr old on one side! Aluminum is a lighter boat and cheaper..

[Sandshark]

I have a 21 DLX I use for crabbing. Its a starboard side console as I crab alone most of the time. Have had three fat guys on the rail for crabbing and had no problem with weight distribution while running the trot line. I have counterweighted the port side with gear/anchors/nets, etc. I suppose heavier boats like the Judge crabber 19 or 22 would be well suited but for the price my Carolina works just fine and trailering does not require an armed escort of State troopers.

[rwmanahan]

I have a 19' dlx, with a 92" beam, awesome crabbing boat. You can put four people on the side without problems. Buy it you won't regret it.. Check out the carolina skiff owners website..

[LarryC]

I have a V1965 carolina skiff and it is great for crabbing.

[longtail]

I have a 21 and 24 dlx. Great boats, love.

After you purchase the boat, on the way home stop by Dicks Sporting goods and buy a mouth guard.:yes:

Definitely not boats for weak tender feet.

[fisheyed]

They tend to slap terribly and don't track all that well. I would find an older boat with a deeper keel. An old bateu is perfect. Or repower an old heavy deep keel boat. Speed is not what your after. Stability and tracking makes the day easier. If you go with the skiff it is trailerable, light, and will last many years. Just watch overloading. I like the previous comment. Get a mouthgaurd for any light chop and get a suicide knob. Many people have them and love them.

[trapshoot]

dj

I think you need to know more about the boat. When you say it is a deep gunnel that means it not a J series. However you should check out the width. is it a 1965 or a 1980. Which means the floor width is either 65" or 80". There is a big difference in the width. I have the 1980 and like I said it is great. It is the V series. I have a friend that has the 1980 flat bottom. There is no problem with tracking.

Vince

[georgej202]

Best choice I ever made in a boat. I would like to have a deep vee (get a good ass busting in rough water), but if I do I still wouldn't part with ming

[screwyardwork]

Ive had a 1980semi v bottom for 10 years now. It is a wet boat at times, but you learn to work the waves or chop. Easy to maintain just house it down. Use it for crabbing and fishing at least 9 months out of the year

[Dwayne E]

Stability is no problem, I have a j16. Most stable boat I have ever been in for its size. 19 should only be much better.

[bayhead]

For the money, for the stability, for the ROOM to move about when crabbing - Carolina Skiffs can't be beat (IMHO) They are a wet ride in bad weather but then again I pick my days

I recommend a simple, small starboard mounted console, a front deck, some side cleats and basically nothing else - you will LOVE the room - the boat tracks OK but would do better with a center keel.

I use a 17' with a Mercury 40HP, 4S with trim AND NO FEEDBACK STEERING!!!!- I have a custom canopy for shade (a MUST -again IMHO) and line puller. The 17' on a beefy trailer tows MUCH better than the much heavier 1980 - but the 1980 gives you more space and a heavier boat in the water.

Given the cost to trailer like I do I want something that goes down the road behind my smaller Tacoma Truck for the least espense. If i were you I'd take Jerry's advice - test drive before you buy!!! By the way if you are not in a hurry you can find 'em used and build what you want. Good luck:yes:

Bayhead

[Seadog1]

thanks for all the info guys much appreciated think i am going to buy it

[CSRogers]

I know trapshoot and i have a 21 dlv, my father-in-law is the one with the 1980 dlx which is why i looked at the boat in the first place. If price is the driving factor skiff is the way to go, i love mine but i'm sure there is something better if you have deep pockets.

[jc90361]

I have a 19-80 semi V skiff. Great boat for the right conditions. If you are going to be hitting a lot of heavy chop the ride can be pretty bumpy.

[skirtchaser]

You won't believe this but I have the J14 with a 25 yammie and I have had 5 people......3 children on it crabbiing and it was totally fine. The one your talking about would be plenty good. I love my 14 and I love the gas even better. 1 gallon of gas for a bushel of crabs. I run a line in the potomac 1000 yards from the ramp.........

Frank
"Skirtchaser"

[Dave Jr.]

I love my skiff. Very stable and a great value. CS 1765, Yamaha F40. It will run 28 loaded.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/81889697/halloween_2007001.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y169/81889697/halloween_2007002.jpg

[Capt.Nick]

You'll like it when it's Slick Cam.I have a 16 j w/25 electric start John & bow mount trolliing mtr.They sip fuel through a fine straw.They'll give you a bath & bust your ass in a chop:fishing2:.

[Burchbeer]

I lovem too>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Original flathull 19 ft, 1995.

Hope to get a new motor for next season though. The Honda isnt getting anymore. Head corrosion that has been repaired, carb issues, yatta. Need fuel infection.
My mind is open to brand.2 stroke,4 stroke, etc.
My boat mechanic highly reccomends Dihatsu. He says there maintenance record is better than Honda.

Sorry for the digression. ;-)

[screwyardwork]

I put a 90 e-tec on my 198 semi v hull, i am not sure but i think it burns salt water.

[BowMovements]

LOL they are nice motors. I'm surprised that you don't have more fuel at the end of the day :-)

[kyekstat]

I have a 16Ft C.S.It's awesome in all kinds of weather.However, it's best for only two people.I recomend this boat for fishing and crabbing with a 25 H.P. engine tiller steering.

[bring_em_on]

I used to have a CS semi v 198 with a 90 yamaha. Thing ran incredible. I just used it in creeks and rivers. Would get a good soaking in anything over 1ft chop but I don't think I could have found a more stable platform. Went to a deep V hull once I started bay fishing. For what you want it for, the CS will do nicely.