Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

[nightstalker]

I'm in the market for one of these two rigs. Although they seem very similar, the CS weighs in at 330, while the S weighs 700. I'll have to push the rig in and out of my garage to hook um up to my Jeep, so weight may be an issue. Talked to a guy with a Sundance K-16 yesterday that said he had no problem moving the trailer around by hand. Anyone have any opinions as to which rig would serve me best? I'd be using it mostly in the estuaries,bayous of Tampa Bay in Florida.
Nightstalker

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

they are both nice boats, why push another 350 lbs, with an outboard. the CS will do fine in Tampa Bay. and the local lakes.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

they are both nice boats, why push another 350 lbs, with an outboard. the CS will do fine in Tampa Bay. and the local lakes.

I was thinking that the Sundance because of it's added weight may ride better in a chop. Also, the Sundance seems to have a slightly Vee'd bow while the Carolina Skiff is a flat jon boat type bow, but what do I know!
Nightstalker

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

Both great little rigs.

Whay do you have to "push" around when you have a tow vehicle?

Can you test drive these boats? That will tell you for certain.

 

[Campylobacter]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

I was thinking that the Sundance because of it's added weight may ride better in a chop. Also, the Sundance seems to have a slightly Vee'd bow while the Carolina Skiff is a flat jon boat type bow, but what do I know!
Nightstalker

I rented a CS (21', but same design) on vacation in the sound behind the outer banks of NC. Nice boat, but it will jar the crap out of you if you have much chop. The sounds were pretty smooth most of the time so it wasn't a problem, ventured out into the ocean once and got beat up pretty good.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

Both great little rigs.

Whay do you have to "push" around when you have a tow vehicle?

Can you test drive these boats? That will tell you for certain.

Too tight to back it into my garage. Can't make the swing. I'd have to unhitch it, spin it around 90 degrees and push it back into the garage about 30 feet. As far as a test spin, I've been on a Carolina skiff but don't know anyone with a Sundance. Closest Sundance dealer three hours north of me won't allow a sea trial.
nightstalker

 

[BWR1953]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

I've noticed the ads for the Sundancer doing a comparison of features and warranty side by side with the CS and it all looked a lot better.

Extra weight can also help smooth the ride a bit too.

-BWR

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

Night I own a Sundance K16FLX, that is the one with the extended front deck, and I think it would be an excellent boat for your choice. I am running a 40 on it and with two people and gear it tops out at 29. With 4 adults and 3 children in it the speed drops back to 26. It rides excellent until you get into about 2.5 to 3 foot seas, then it starts to bounce some, and you will get side spray if the the wind is blowing 15 or so from the wrong direction. I don't really know of many small boats that won't take spray in rough water and 15 mph or better winds. It is a solid boat and feels very comfortable when you are running it, I run a prop with heavy rake and cup, michigan apollo, so when it is rough I can hold the bow up when running into head seas. With the extended front deck it has plenty of fishing room. I have one chair set up on the bow with the console moved to the side, and I have two chairs on the large stern deck. I think you would enjoy this boat very much.

H

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

Night I own a Sundance K16FLX, that is the one with the extended front deck, and I think it would be an excellent boat for your choice. I am running a 40 on it and with two people and gear it tops out at 29. With 4 adults and 3 children in it the speed drops back to 26. It rides excellent until you get into about 2.5 to 3 foot seas, then it starts to bounce some, and you will get side spray if the the wind is blowing 15 or so from the wrong direction. I don't really know of many small boats that won't take spray in rough water and 15 mph or better winds. It is a solid boat and feels very comfortable when you are running it, I run a prop with heavy rake and cup, michigan apollo, so when it is rough I can hold the bow up when running into head seas. With the extended front deck it has plenty of fishing room. I have one chair set up on the bow with the console moved to the side, and I have two chairs on the large stern deck. I think you would enjoy this boat very much.

H

Thanks for the info. Nice looking rig. Can you push,pull her around on the trailer while in your driveway?
Nightstalker

 

[hwsiii]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

Yes I can, even in the soft ground of my yard.


H

 

[marquette]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

just out of curiosity how do they compare in price?

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

just out of curiosity how do they compare in price?

I've been waiting for an E-mail quote from the Sundance dealer in Charlotte Harbor for a week now. I can get a new 2008, J-16 Carolina Skiff with a 40 E-Tech for $9,999 (no trailer) near Sarasota. You see his adds in the Marine Times magazine all the time. The dealer in St. Pete can't touch that deal. I bet that the Sundance is going to be quite a bit more expensive than the CS.
Nightstalker

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

I own a 2008 J-16 myself with a 25hp Nissan. It moves pretty good. The guy I bought mine from bought just the hull. He added a front deck and rear seat to it. The cool thing about the J series is you can customize it to your specifications if you want. Buy the hull and have the dealer add on the rear and front decks you want along with the either side or center console. The bare hull without a trailer is around $1600 here in LA. It really depends on what you want to use it for.

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Carolina Skiff J-16 or Sundance K-16

I own a 2008 J-16 myself with a 25hp Nissan. It moves pretty good. The guy I bought mine from bought just the hull. He added a front deck and rear seat to it. The cool thing about the J series is you can customize it to your specifications if you want. Buy the hull and have the dealer add on the rear and front decks you want along with the either side or center console. The bare hull without a trailer is around $1600 here in LA. It really depends on what you want to use it for.

The Sundance dealers do basically the same thing. You can have it set up any way you want (lots of accessories). The only thing that makes me keep looking at the Sundance, is the fact that it weighs double what the CS weighs. I think that extra weight could make it a more stable, more solid riding boat. The CS draws 3' to 6' while the Sundance draws 5".
Nightstalker