BigBendFishing.Net

Hey fellows, this probably should be in the boating section but I need some advise. I currently have a Carolina Skiff 178 DLV with a 4-stroke 90 Yamaha that I bought last year. I love my boat, however; because of the oyster bars and rocks in the econfina, I am thinking about selling or trading this boat for a G3 aluminum boat. Which would be my best option (buying or selling), would you trade a fiberglass boat for an aluminum boat, and would you go back with the 4-stroke or a 2-stroke.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated...

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't purchase a G3. I know many folks that have had trouble with the G3. Several of them on this forum. The 4-stroke vs. 2 stroke is still up for debate. Gas mileage is awesome on the 4-strokes, but the hole shot and weight is better with the 2-strokes. Personally, I love my 4-stroke.

Now really isn't the time to try and sell or trade your boat. You will have to give it away. I would just learn where the rocks are and go really slow when you are down there. That is what I do.

I have fished out of Econfina the last 4 years out of a fiberglass boat and currently run a 20' Skeeter Bay boat with no issue concerning rocks or oysterbars. Just learn where you can and can't run and go slow when you are in close and you should not have a problem. I'm with BD...I love my 4 stroke Yammy

Flint River Pirate wrote:Now really isn't the time to try and sell or trade your boat. You will have to give it away. I would just learn where the rocks are and go really slow when you are down there. That is what I do.

Wise words. Now is the time to be a buyer, not a seller.

Been floating a 22' Panga out of Econfina going on four years with no problems though knocking on wood as I type those words Gator, my rule of thumb is I don't go out of Econfina or come back in unless winds are relatively stable and I'm confident with tide charts will be correct in predicting at least 1.5' water. Have tested skinnier tides a time or two but had to pull my motor up and do a bit of push pole work to get around after the tides fell under 1.2' and sure wouldn't have ridden WOT at the time. Also advise taking a good look at local depth charts as I used them to ID some deeper paths I use to run WOT from spot to spot EAST of the river... haven't pushed my luck going to the west. With the exception of a few well documented rocks in the river (search old posts and you'll find) only scares I've had have been running mighty close to ghost traps, something that will be a risk no matter where you go... and there are many great oyster beds (most very close to shore, a few far enough out you need to pay attention) in the area that make for good redfishing spots but you WILL want to motor around slowly until you learn the area.

I sold my 21 Sea Pro bay a couple years ago and took a 17' Monark / 40 hp Merc Jet Foot on trade. If you are going to fish from the Aucilla East, you can't beat the jet foot outboards or a good tunnel hull aluminum boat. I have stay down in that area pretty much all year round and don't have any regrets about selling my bigger boat.

As far as 4 stroke vs. 2 stroke - unless your running a 90 hp or better, you are probably better off with the 2 stroke. The 2 strokes have a better hole shot and are lighter. On the smaller motors, you don't save enough fuel cost over the life of the motor to make up the difference in cost.

- Steve Stinson

Gator, loving what you have is not to be taken lightly.