I am looking for some advice from those of you that may have experience with Dargel and Carolina Skiff Boats. I plan on fishing the flats in Laguna Madre and am looking for a project Bay Boat. I found a 1983 16ft Dargel that is fairly cheap but has a soft deck. It has a flat deck with no sides and a tunnel hull. The guy wants 2500 including a 115 Susuki Outboard. The owner tells me its an easy fix because most of the hull is fiberglass and the deck is 1/2 plywood. I plan on pulling this boat into my garage and working on it for a while - even if I have to change the transom. However before I buy I was also looking at a Carolina Skiff. I found one for about 3000 (looks like a 17 ft). The skiff specs say it drifts in 3-6 inches of water. Thing is, it does not have a tunnel and I was wondering how the take offs would be in shallow water. The skiff weighs about 550 lbs. The Dargel weighs 750 lbs but has a tunnel. If your fishing the bay flats which boat would you buy. I live in Dallas Fort Worth so I will be putting in some freshwater lakes - but my heart is in bay fishing. Appreciate any advice that would help resolve my dilema.
Thanks, Erbey
Thanks, Erbey