what skiff?

[ewals44]

Looking to buy a skiff for Raritan Bay in New jersey and i am up in the air between Maritime and Carloina skiffs.

Any. any input would be deeply appeciated

 

[m&m252]

Re: what skiff?

carolina skiff well built not expensive neighbor has one ,good ride...

 

[tnduc]

Re: what skiff?

I've been researching skiffs online for a while now- Sundance seems to keep coming up as well equipped, well backed and affordable.

 

[DJ]

Re: what skiff?

Carolina Skiff is a good choice. A Boston Whaler is even better. You do not have to buy new.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: what skiff?

The waves and wakes in Raritan Bay can be quite formidable(think oil tanker size wakes), especially around the Ammunition Pier late in the afternoon. I recommend your skiff have a deep vee hull and high sides.

 

[drewmitch44]

Re: what skiff?

Isnt that like saying your flat bottom boat should have a V shape to it? I thought a skiff was just that.

 

[thurps]

Re: what skiff?

Stupid question. What exactly makes a skiff a skiff?

 

[DJ]

Re: what skiff?

Stupid question. What exactly makes a skiff a skiff?

"Skiff" is a relative term. My idea of a skiff is an 11' or 13' Boston Whaler. Some other folks idea of a skiff is a 25' yacht tender.​

 

[Chris1956]

Re: what skiff?

Drew, I was trying to be polite. A flat bottom boat in Raritan Bay is not optimum, as tankers and large cargo ships, as well as the occasional large Navy ship use these waters and between these ships and the wind and current, 3-5' waves are common.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: what skiff?

From the On-Line Dictionary: "A flatbottom open boat of shallow draft, having a pointed bow and a square stern and propelled by oars, sail, or motor." I'm not sure a Carolina Skiff satisfies this definition due to the lack of a pointed bow. The old Hobie 17 Super Skiff comes to mind. I believe Cobia bought their molds and still makes that model which they market as a "center console" since the term "skiff" is a little vague.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: what skiff?

Correction: Cobia's offerings for 2008 does NOT list the 17CC. Sorry!

 

[EJ3]

Re: what skiff?

I went on a fishing charter recently and the captain had a Carolina Skiff. The water was almost glass flat and the ride was rough, than again we were going about 35mph I think. I would definetly reccomend something with a V in the front. Even the smallest waves are murder in a flat bottom. My 2c!

 

[rlb81]

Re: what skiff?

Whats up nice to see a local here, I live in Woodbridge. My dad has owned 3 boats since I was about 11 (I'm 26 now). The first was an older tri hull, the bottom flattened out pretty close to the bow. I remember that being a fairly rough riding boat (though I was a bit young, so I don't have the most accurate memories of it). The current boat he owns is an 18 ft bowrider with a fairly deep V and it rides much nicer on the Raritan bay and river. I haven't been out with him for a few years, hopefully we can make it out this summer. Good luck on your search.

BTW what will your primary use be?

 

[rlb81]

Re: what skiff?

Also I'll add that we always launch at the Woodbridge marina and cruise down the Arthur Kill and either stay towards the inner part of the bay, or go up the Raritan river. There is a fair amount of barge traffic but its mostly other rec boats and there are plenty of wakes to content with, as someone else mentioned.