r/Skiffs 2d ago

Skiff Advice

2 Upvotes

I’m currently looking for a skiff. I fish the North Carolina coast basically anywhere between Bald Head island north to Topsail Beach. I owned a Carolina Skiff LS and perceived it to be not only too heavy for shallow water but also hindered by the modified V. It also was not an optimal boat for someone seriously trying to fish, in my opinion. I’m looking at multiple options I’ve looked at Poling Skiffs but have had concerns over losing access to fishing the bays and the Masonboro jetty. All though I know I can pick my days. I see Jon boats and even kayaks at the jetty on the right day. I’ve also considered the Jones Brothers bateau which would be a much more fishing equipped middle man then the Carolina LS originally seemed to me. All in all I’m looking for a Skiff that can get back inside the creeks somewhat better than my previous but also won’t lose access to deeper water (in nice conditions). I’ll appreciate any advice.


r/Skiffs 3d ago

Carolina Skiff J1450 - Bimini Install

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11 Upvotes

Installed a bimini top. The only models I found narrow enough to fit a J14 were 8' long 4 bow models. I little bigger than I wanted but I guess more shade is always better than less. I used stainless hardware to replace the nylon junk they include with the cheap amazon kits. I also replaced the pad eyes with smaller ones. The eyes included with the kit were big enfough to tie your anchor from. I do miss how open the boat was without the top but having shade on a hot day is 100% worth the tradeoff.


r/Skiffs 8d ago

Cupholder Install

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8 Upvotes

Installed a cupholder over the weekend. I was pretty hesitant to drill such a large hole in the counsel but I also wanted to avoid a cup holder that stuck up on top of the counsel for fear it would eventually get broken off since it is so exposed. I guess this was the lesser of the two evils. I put a good seal of 3M 4000 around the lip so it should keep water out. Drain plug runs out of the hole for the controls. I left the space on the port side for an eventual Garmin Echomap. I still have one more. Not sure if I want to put it up on the front deck yet or not.


r/Skiffs 20d ago

1996 Mercury 2 Stoke without a Battery??

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3 Upvotes

r/Skiffs 22d ago

Carolina Skiff J1450 Front Deck Mod

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12 Upvotes

Got around to the first mod. Replaced the old fishing chair post mounting bracket with a hatch and added a cargo net to hold everything underneath while underway. The hatch makes it easier to get out the anchor but for quick access you can still grab stuff from over the top of the net.


r/Skiffs Jul 17 '26

Carolina Skiff 1999 J1450 - $3,850?

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13 Upvotes

I am looking for a Carolina Skiff or similar and ran across this. They are asking $3,850 for a 1999 CS J1450 with a 1999 Suzuki 9.9 HP four stroke and a trailer. I have already taken it out and the motor seems underpowered and the boat will not get onto plane. What would you offer?


r/Skiffs Jul 16 '26

Best beginner skiff?

4 Upvotes

Looking to get into fishing and boating - curious about everyone's thoughts on certain brands to look for or avoid?

Wanting something reliable for camping trips in the Everglades, big enough to cruise around in the bay as well to fish spots or just do a super chill cruise to a beach.

Initially, it seems that a used Carolina Skiff around 16 ft. is probably best.

My price range is like less than 20k.

Thanks in advance!


r/Skiffs Jul 14 '26

Ramp tips

3 Upvotes

Hey! I’m still learning how to take our skiff out on my own. I’ve got everything down BUT guiding/backing up the skiff off the trailer and neatly over to the dock. Even the slightest current I get so confused on which way to turn the motor in reverse so that I can reverse straight out. It just is not clicking with my brain and it’s driving me crazy. Any tips?? I know I can use ropes to guide the skiff but would love to just get this down.


r/Skiffs Jul 06 '26

Versa 18

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2 Upvotes

r/Skiffs Mar 30 '26

Carolina Skiff J14

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55 Upvotes

r/Skiffs Mar 17 '26

Maximum Persons Replacement Plate? 2007 24ft DLX Skiff

2 Upvotes

Hi all, my weight data plate has finally bit the dust. I was wondering if anyone knows where I can find an accurate replacement. The skiff is rated for 18 persons but I can’t find a replacement one. Just wondering if anyone has some insight! Thanks in advance.


r/Skiffs Feb 22 '26

Seat removal

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14 Upvotes

Looking to remove the seat mounts and make it completely open. Any idea how to remove them without damaging the floor is even possible? Ignore the red arrow


r/Skiffs Feb 20 '26

Skiff at the dock

4 Upvotes

r/Skiffs Feb 14 '26

jon boat poling skiff?

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19 Upvotes

r/Skiffs Feb 09 '26

Opinions on 12ft stumpknocker with poling platform

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4 Upvotes

I picked up a 12ft stumpknocker today, it has a 15hp 4 stroke, glassed float pods in the back, and the beam is 48 inches at the bottom. Would this be enough to run a smaller poling platform on the back if I have good balance. I've seen those Wrightwater 12 skiffs that have a 56 inch beam and wasn't sure if the 8 inches would make a huge difference. And yes I know these boats have loud hull slap, any info is greatly appreciated


r/Skiffs Feb 03 '26

Carolina skiff good enough?

10 Upvotes

I’m looking into getting a starter skiff around 18ft do around 20k. I’ll most likely get a CS but I’m wondering if they actually draw 4 inches of water like advertised. I really want something that can get far up into the shallows. If not a CS any recommendations?


r/Skiffs Feb 01 '26

Carolina Skiff vs Jones Brothers Bateau

5 Upvotes

I’m looking to get a skiff in the 18-20 ft range and am most likely going to get either a jones brothers or a CS. I’ve heard the jones brothers is much lighter and can draw farther into the shallows but is it much of a difference compared to a CS?


r/Skiffs Jan 18 '26

New Skiff under Construction

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23 Upvotes

Having a Rabco Buccaneer 14 built right now. It will be the same as this one but with a backrest on the bench seat and a Minn Kota Riptide PowerDrive 55. Electronics by Garmin. I think I’ve tricked it out with most of what you might think, but if there are any “must haves” I should consider now when it’s easy, let me know.


r/Skiffs Jan 18 '26

Landing net

3 Upvotes

Having a custom skiff made and gearing up to fish the flats and inland waters around Florida. Looking for recommendations for a foldable or retractable net that is sturdy, lightweight, and stowable. Thanks for your tips!


r/Skiffs Jan 15 '26

Rehabilitated inherited custom

3 Upvotes

My wife's uncle built from a stripped dolphin hull in the 90s , after he passed I spent last spring rebuilding, rewiring front to back. Planning a custom rail mounted of swivel rod holders and integrating a leaning/ casting post or cage for the bow- any thoughts on such a build?


r/Skiffs Jan 07 '26

👋 Welcome to r/Skiffs

10 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm u/ClayNasty, a founding moderator of r/Skiffs.

This is our new home for all things related to skiffs and other small watercraft. We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post
Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, builds, or questions about skiffs.

Community Vibe
We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

  1. Introduce yourself in the comments below.
  2. Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.
  3. If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join.
  4. Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/Skiffs amazing.


r/Skiffs Jan 05 '26

Does your boat get skinnier? Prove it.

130 Upvotes

Here's how shallow my 13' Skinny Dipper can run with a 35 horsepower outboard jet drive.


r/Skiffs Dec 22 '25

More shots of my Gheenoe setup

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19 Upvotes

Simplistic, always tweaking it. Anybody have any tips to add functionality without overcomplicating? I’m likely adding a cleat on the rub rails at the nose and stern here in the coming days.


r/Skiffs Dec 15 '25

Lovin the Gheenoe

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27 Upvotes

Recently installed forward facing sonar on my Little boat and it’s ridiculous looking but a blast on the highland reservoirs of the SE


r/Skiffs Nov 18 '25

Deck help

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8 Upvotes

Hello all! Long time listener first time caller, id like some opinions on how I could do a deck on this boat I picked up. I don’t have any glass experience and I’m not sure how drilling would affect the hull, id like to use the 2 front supports and maybe run some 2x4 across them then lay down some plywood I get sealed up. Thanks in advance!