What the heck kind of boat is this?

[bugbitten]

I was working on my boat at the marina yesterday and this motored by. This was at Southall Landings marina in Hampton, VA. The boat was heading out onto the Chesapeake. I've never seen a boat, outside of a bathtub, that had so little freeboard. Those legs on the transom are also a puzzle. I've got a lot of friends scratching their heads over it, so any info would be greatly appreciated. I'm guessing it's some specialized fishing rig, but that's based on little more than what looks like a plentitude of rod holders. I'm sorry the photo isn't clearer, but it took me a moment to find my camera. Is that REALLY a 350HP outboard? Thanks!

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Flats boat operator can spot the fish as he drives.

 

[GA_Boater]

Howdy, Bug. Welcome aboard.

The legs on the transom are shallow water anchors. They extend a pole to the bottom to hold the boat in place for fishing. Minn Kota Talon and Power-Pole are two of the name brands.

I think the hull is a Boston Whaler or Whaler type and the motor does appear to be a Merc 350. The rig would not survive much in the way of foul weather or a Lake Travis parade.

 

[Chris1956]

It looks patently overpowered, overloaded and unsafe. It is riding flat so either the hull is filled with water, or that superstructure is so heavy it counterbalances the weight of the motor.

One 2' wave ought to start to sink her...I hope she has a large bilge pump.

 

[Scott Danforth]

looks like a florida flats fisherman..... two power poles, a tower and a big motor on too-small a hull.

 

[ahicks]

My vote: over powered flats boat - seen frequently in the Gulf.

 

[dingbat]

Not necessarily a Flats boat per say.

Locally (Chesapeake), pretty common configuration for sight casting to Cobia and Drum

 

[racerone]

That boat is no longer----" as designed "----This sort of thing is just an accident waiting to happen. It also seems to be top heavy.----And not just the operator.-----I would call it a ---" dangerous boat "---

 

[southkogs]

That boat is no longer----" as designed " ...

Actually, could be right from the showroom floor like that: https://www.scbboats.com/

 

[QBhoy]

Total waste of an engine on that shape of a boat. Shame.

 

[BWR1953]

It's all about personal preference. LOTS of flats fisherman around here use such boats.

This one is pretty interesting.

 

[ahicks]

I agree. It's likely an area you have to see/experience first hand to get it or understand. Thousands of square miles of tidal near shore coast, marshes, 2 - 6 feet deep depending on tide, countless numbers of mangrove islands - all prime sport fishing areas.

Doesn't change the fact the 350hp motor is a little over the top for that boat though....

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

I see bass boats with serious horse power
a keys boat that covers 80 miles in a day being able to cut your travel time by two hours Increase fishing time and be high enough to cast flys spot fish I can see it. You see the gazzillion dollar boats everywhere so this boats sporting 359 hp big deal.