Opinions on Carolina Skiff w/25hp

[lilwily]

I have a 25hp Mariner tiller that I am looking into putting on a j16 Caroloina Skiff. It is rated at 25hp tiller and 30 remote. These boats are "unsinkable" they say.<br /><br />Anyone have any opions on Carolina Skiff in general? I like the fact that you can get it bare bones and/or add decks, console ect... later if you want.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Wily

 

[12Footer]

Re: Opinions on Carolina Skiff w/25hp

Carolina Skiffs are a copy of the tried and true Boston Whalers. They are by no stretch,a whaler, but they are great boats with a very rough,wet ride...But then,so are BW's.<br />The reason you can stick a 30HP remote on it,is the percieved bdy wieght distribution.<br />If you are sitting at the tiller,as opposed at a console midships,a 30 would be dangerous in such a light,low freeboard boat,but perfectly safe, if you are not back there with the engine when you pour the coal to it. I had the pleasure of fishing out of one over a week's vacation, and really liked this little boat And trailering was a breaze.

 

[seajay]

Re: Opinions on Carolina Skiff w/25hp

as 12footer said they are wet in a chop ,see a lot on water in N.E.Fla. with 25 hp. apear to be great boat for the money.

 

[martinwinte]

Re: Opinions on Carolina Skiff w/25hp

The rescue squad I'm on has a 16' Carolina skiff with a 25 horse tiller handle(small lake dive boat use). It runs like a top. Good solid hull, easy clean up, stable. It doesn't require much water to draft. All around I like the boat.. One word of advise, get a "kill" lanyard on the engine and use it. I've never been swimming from the boat but I can see how it could happen. They are a stable boat but a rough ride in ANY sort of chop.