How "dry" is your flats rig?

[Redphisher]

There's an article is FS this month or last about finding the sweet spot on your flat bottom boat boat. That is to say, as long as you find the right angle (and the right speed to match) your flat bottom boat can cruise easily "within" the wave and make for a much smoother ride. I used to get beat up by my Carolina Skiff (16') but after reading that article and trying different angles to the wave and I can now find that sweet spot and cruise through 2ft and 3ft waves with ease and stay pretty dry (the wind gets me wetter now as it blows the water I cut). It takes a bit of practice and it might make for a longer trip (due to what ever angle the water dictates) but your Butt and Back will thank you at the end of the day. Try it out.

[Squall Line]

My 1756 tunnel john boat is surprisingly dry; the only splash I have experienced was crossing a large displacement cruisers wake too fast. Otherwise it is pretty dry in anything under 2'. The ride is not bad at all considering there is no dead rise towards the stern. The boat rides flat as a board (bow down) but keeps me dry and doesn't ride too horrible in my opinion, although I haven't been on a 'real flats boat in some time.

[Redbelly]

A pasenger will have to move to the middle pf my boat or the bow slams and sprays the boat.
Angling correctly with the waves and taking it easy is definitely a manuver you will learn with a flat bottom ride.

I would like to have one that rides and cuts throught the chop, and still runs skinny into a creek.

You know.....the ONE perfect flats boat.

[RHTFISH]

Of course, I am not trying to go over oyster bars at 3" of water like some here.

Who here would dare do such a thing?

No guts....no glory!

Getting wet is just part of the experience!

[grim reeler]

Also, From past experience one can get wet on a barge when the seas and wind direction are right.

If it doesnt have an enclosed bridge, its wet.

Wet/dry on a flats boat is a relative term.

[flatfish]

I stay pretty dry unless there is a cross chop with the wind to go with it. Then whoever is seated on the upwind side gets a bath. Standing at console or sitting forward is dry.

Flatfish

[FUTCHCAIRO]

I HAVE A 18 FT. STARCRAFT ALUM. BAY BOAT THAT I USE ON THE FLATS. THIS IS A VERY DRY BOAT AS LONG AS YOU USE SOME COMMON SENSE. IN ANYTHING LESS THATN 3 FT. SWELLS SHE IS DRY AS A BOARD RUNNIN ABOUT 20-25 MPH IT ALSO DEPENDS ON THE WIND. I DO NOT GO OUT ON THE FLATS IF THE FORCAST IS FOR OVER 15 KNOTS. I HAVE BEEN IN SOME SEAS THAT WERE 4-5 FT. AND AS LONG AS I QUARTERED THE SEAS WE DID NOT GET WET.
PA THE OLD MAN OF THE SEA

[Redbelly]

flatfish that is a nice looking boat. What brand is it?

[flatfish]

Red,

It has an interesting story. I will try to keep it short. It was built by Offshore Yachts in St. Pete from a Maverick mold that they got somehow. There were a bunch of rumors about it being stolen etc, but I got some help on the MHP site on the more accurate history. Anyway, it is a 18.5' ft. Maverick mold built in 1996. It is heavy and built like a tank. I repowered last year with a Zuke F150. I bought the boat new at Capt. Black's in St. Joe in 1997. First engine was a Zuke DT140 that lasted only 360 hrs, but I think most of that was due to not using it enough. It fishes great and really takes rough water well. I have had it out to Taylor Cty. reef on calm days and all over the Big Bend. This boat is a heck of a fishing platform and there have been countless fish, scallops, as well as other things come in over the side. Pretty good ski boat too, believe it or not.

My only problem now is that I live in NC and can't get down there enough. I am down there about three times a year.
Reading all the stories on this board keeps me going. Thanks

Flatfish

[Linework]

I have a 19' carolina skiff and its a fairlly wet ride. I went out yesterday iWith a friend in his new skiff and could not belive the difference. He has the DLX model only dif is that his has and extra groove across the front that turns the spray back down.

[Good Times]

We run:

17.5 ft basstracker = Water wings and nose pincher wet; fun boat though

1901 Mako Inshore = Very dry; great boat; LOVE IT

Grady White 223 Tournament = Not a flats boat but we can drift in 2.5 ft with it comfortably- it's like a cacoon

[redfishin-fool]

I have a 19' carolina skiff and its a fairlly wet ride. I went out yesterday iWith a friend in his new skiff and could not belive the difference. He has the DLX model only dif is that his has and extra groove across the front that turns the spray back down.

I have a 2380 Sem-V, and it can get down right soaking in a chop. I've ridden and fished off of the DLX models and they have a pretty bad hull slap, but they are drier than the regular skiffs.
I knew that my skiff was going to be a little on the wet side when I bought it. It's just the nature of the beast. I will say that I have been very happy with mine. I taken it offshore, inshore, skinny and it makes a pretty decent ski boat.

[Parrothead]

My 16J will beat you pretty good I sit on a throw cushion. Been caught in several storms and got wet and beat but made it back with no prob. I can tell you that if you slow down and try not to hit waves head on it rides fairly dry. Head on seas spray over the bow enough that you think you might drowned, keep your bilge pump working and try to quarter seas.