carolina skiff questions?

[phatmanmike]

hi!<br /><br />i have been entertaining the idea of getting a 2005 carolina skiff 198DLX or 198 mod-V. both are near same price from local dealer 4500-4800.( price is for bare hull only)dlx is the cheaper, yet heavier boat.<br /><br />dealer suggested the DLX over the mod-v for the waters around here(tampa bay area). not sure why though. maybe cuz of smaller draft?<br /><br />QUESTION: how do these things ride? are they dry boats and how do they handle 2-4 foot chop? i know they are flat bottom, and they ride on top of the waves VS. a V bottom cuts through the waves( i think), but ive never ridden in one.<br /><br />the 198 is 19 feet long and 7'8" wide. size is same for both DLX and mod-V models, but the mod-V weighs in about 150 pounds less.1100 VS 950<br /><br />boat would be used for weekend campings on local islands, fishing, cruising, swimming, etc, around inner waters of tampa bay, egmont key, clearwater, anclote, and all intercoastal waters between. generally would have between 3 to 8 passengers(ok, 1 is a dog) onboard. manufacturer rates boat as carrying 11 passengers safely.<br /><br />if you have any experience with one, or own one, please lemme know how it runs and what motor you have on it. thanks in advance!<br /><br />mike

 

[Dhadley]

Re: carolina skiff questions?

My buddy has a 24 DLX (flat bottom anyway) and it will beat you to death. But if you can hang on, it'll make it. He has the rear platform and sits on that. The console is mounted back to there for a better ride.<br /><br />Lots of room, great in shallow water and wet in rough water. His is a newer one and is not as wet as the older ones but still a wet ride in a slop.

 

[pine island fred]

Re: carolina skiff questions?

Drove a 2780 flat bottom in pine island sound for a few months after the storms. Was transporting roofers and metal material to useppa and n.captiva. In some instances (emergancies) had up to 30 onboard. in anykind of rough water everyone got pounded and wet,but we always felt safe. If i had put the boat together it would have been the mod-v hull. One thing, when the boat was first put in the water, everyone who drove for a living noticed that the length of the leg,20 ins.,appeared to short. Was a 200 h.p. yamaha 2 stroke, sufficient power but was prone to cavatite in mild seas. There are plenty around, see if you can ride some before you buy and by all means conside a longer leg. Of course this was a larger boat than what you are considering. regards fred