Looking at carolina skiff my 1st boat

[CamaroSSlover]

I'm 22 on a tight budget and was looking at a new or leftover carolina skiff 17' V-series with a 50 Johnson. This will be my first boat What do u guys think? Will the v - hull cut down on the ruff ride?

[StriperSwiperII]

Someone I work with has a carolina skiff ,its not the v series. I dont like it , when you go to one side of it it feels like its going to flip over ! Maritime Skiffs are much more stable http://www.mskiff.com/ . Seems like the V series would be more stable though. Personally I like old Makos (they are built like tanks!) I have a 1977 20ft Mako . You should take out on the water which ever boat you want to buy.....Good luck .....Rich

[Carolinaskiff]

Not sure if you made a decision yet, but....I currently own a 19' Carolina Skiff, V-series (V-198). I powered it with a 1997 115 Yamaha. I am very happy with the boat. The only downfall is in rough conditions. The boat doesn't "slice" through the water, but it "porpoises" over and through the waves. It can be a bit of a rough ride. However, in calm conditions, boat planes great. The v-hull seems to cut down on the side-to-side motion, but I used to own a 16' Dory and any movement by those aboard did make it feel like it was going to flip. I agree, test drive in different conditions. Hope this helps.

[CamaroSSlover]

Well i got the small 19' skiff:D its a 1999 19' (no "v") with a 70hp John. I am so happy with it. The ride is not bad at all. The only prob. is getting all the dryed bluefish blood off.:D
I have a few questions about our boats i hope you can help. How fast dose yours go? I cruse at 25-30 mph around 4,000 rpm's and top out at a little over 40mph at 5,500 rpm's. The mph is off my fish finder so i don't know how accurate it is. Is 4,000 rpm's good for cruising? what did you do with the self bailing holes in the transom? mine are so close to the water line, like 1/2". i just plug them when going out for the day and pull the plugs when the boat is docked over night incase of rain.

Thanks for your time,
Jon
BAD FISH

[RJ]

The most fuel efficient cruising range I believe is between 3600 and 4200 rpm's for outboards. If the pitch of the prop is correct and everything is set up correctly and the boat is up on plane. then any outboard motered boat should spin about 5200 topped out.

[Carolinaskiff]

Congradulations on your purchase!!

I'm running at about 5100 rpms and doing 35mph at full throttle in calm conditions. I cruise at about 4000 rpm also. I recently bought a GPS unit, which displays speed. I also have a fishfinder unit with a speed sensor and found it too was off by a few mphs. I also have a t-top with a plastic windshield on it, which probably affects my speed, as there is more drag. I also plug up my transom holes. The V-series has a very small bilge at the stern, (I'm not sure about your model) in which I place a bilge pump. I leave the plugs in all the time and let the pump do the work. I have a seating platform which spans the stern and getting under it to plug/unplug the holes is a bit of a hassle.

TIP: As far as the blood stains, visit your local Pep Boy autopart
store and pick yourself up a gallon of "Purple Power". It costs $4.99 and works wonders. Use it straight or with a bit of water and a scrub brush and say good-bye to any stain you come across. :beer:

[RJ]

I also use laundry soap like All or something. It is very concentrated and just a capfull in the bucket can clean just about anything.

[LkyLindy]

Try soft scrub and for the "reel" nasty stuff -try On and Off which is very powerful-gloves required