Looking for some recommendations on choosing a skiff. I have narrowed the search down to two: Floyd 10 Wt. or Beavertail Vengence. I want a skiff that can be used skinny enough to fish for bonefish and redfish in the shallows, and easy to poll, but enough deadrise to take the wife diving patch reefs or maybe Looe Key (weather permitting) and handle 2ft chop. Capacity for 4 adults to take the grown kids out for an afternoon ride, etc. If you had to choose between the Floyd or Beavertail, which would you choose and why? Or, would you recommend another skiff alltogether? Really would appreciate the advice!
Floyd 10 wt. Vs Beavertail Vengence
1 - 20 of 48 Posts
Joined
·
19,311 Posts
When choosing any skiff I would run them first and see what I thought about them because with other people the opinions and needs are very different.
I’ve never been in a Floyd 10wt. My dad owns a vengeance and I’ve got a Beavertail elite. If you’re willing to spend a little more money, I think the elite is the best boat in their lineup. But personally wasn’t a fan of the vengeance. It needs a splash well on the stern and gets a lot of overflow when getting on plane if the motor is trimmed all the way down. But it is a big boat and has a lot of room on the bow to fish multiple anglers. Very stable as well, hardly no tipping at all when walking the gunnels. Harry and Anne at beavertail are great people and would build another one through them if I did it again.
Joined
·
961 Posts
I've never been on a BT Vengeance, but I have a 2021 Floyd 10wt and am very happy with it. The 10wt seems to have more freeboard, so that might help when venturing out to the patch reefs. The 10wt floats super shallow for its size, and has a soft and dry ride in a chop when you tab down the sharp forward-V and let the large flared spray rails do their job. Brian Floyd, the owner, is involved in the building of every skiff made - and he builds them like he never wants to see a warranty claim EVER. I like to call his skiffs - "Built Floyd Tough". His skiffs are strong and light - made with vacuum-infused 100% vinyl-ester resin.
That said, taking three passengers out, plus yourself, comfortably is another story. It's a 3-person skiff IMO. Not sure if the BT Vengeance has room for one more.
Like @Smackdaddy53 said above, you should check out and wet test every skiff on your short-list before you buy.
That said, taking three passengers out, plus yourself, comfortably is another story. It's a 3-person skiff IMO. Not sure if the BT Vengeance has room for one more.
Like @Smackdaddy53 said above, you should check out and wet test every skiff on your short-list before you buy.
Joined
·
156 Posts
I did have the opportunity to fish both last year. The vengeance is wider and feels like it has a little more storage. The Floyd is a little smaller with a sharper entry.
While both would be cramped with 4 adults. The Vengeance would be a little more family friendly. The Pocket Tunnel and the dead rise on it make it a very skinny water capable big boat. The sharper entry on the floyd would make it a better boat if staked out on a snotty beach side flat. As far as draft goes I'd say they were very similar. I was incredibly surprised with how skinny I was able to pole that vengeance and honestly was as well with the Floyd.
I have worked with Harry and Anne at BT and their customer service has been nothing short of excellent. I have heard the same about Floyd as well from my buddy that purchased a boat from them as well.
While both would be cramped with 4 adults. The Vengeance would be a little more family friendly. The Pocket Tunnel and the dead rise on it make it a very skinny water capable big boat. The sharper entry on the floyd would make it a better boat if staked out on a snotty beach side flat. As far as draft goes I'd say they were very similar. I was incredibly surprised with how skinny I was able to pole that vengeance and honestly was as well with the Floyd.
I have worked with Harry and Anne at BT and their customer service has been nothing short of excellent. I have heard the same about Floyd as well from my buddy that purchased a boat from them as well.
Sounds like all that’s needed now is a decision. Good luck both are really nice !!
Joined
·
65 Posts
Spend the money and buy a Chittum, only skiff that can fish the Lagoon System and the Marquesas.
Joined
·
961 Posts
Joined
·
26 Posts
That’s a load of BS. Both skiffs are more than capable. To the OP- the Floyd and Vengeance have a different deadrise. Floyd has a 5 degree with an 15” flat pad and I believe the BT has a 12 degree. Both are a very dry ride. I would give the nod to the Floyd for poling.
Joined
·
961 Posts
Joined
·
961 Posts
Floyd 10wt:
![Water Boat Watercraft Vehicle Sky]()
![Water Sky Watercraft Cloud Vehicle]()
![Water Vehicle Watercraft Boat Towed water sport]()
Joined
·
26 Posts
I’ve owned a 10wt and have fished off Chittums, Hell’s Bay (Marquesa and Biscayne) and the HPX line. The driest ride out of all them was the Floyd, but definitely not the softest ride. The 18HPX might fit your bill.
Joined
·
1,459 Posts
I updated my previous post.. not hating on either skiff mentioned but think a skiff with more V would better suit the OPs needs. I never had an issues getting to any reds or bones in the keys/BB in my HPX 18. It was the softest riding skiff I’ve been on, albeit it can be a little wet. 10wt looks great and I actually considered one before I bought a bay boat.
I haven’t been on a floyd or vengeance but I have seen them on the water. Seems like the maverick 18 fits what your looking for the most. It won’t be quite as skinny as the floyd, but prolly closer to the vengeance. I only had a few bonefish I couldn’t get to in my keys trips but it wasn’t many. It’s a soft riding skiff, that’s extremely capable.
Runs silly skinny for a big skiff with the pocket tunnel. It is a fairly wet boat. Their construction prolly below floyd.
Runs silly skinny for a big skiff with the pocket tunnel. It is a fairly wet boat. Their construction prolly below floyd.
Joined
·
65 Posts
I’n what way would you like me to tell you are wrong?
Joined
·
65 Posts
If your interested in a used Vengeance message me, a friend is moving and has one he is selling with a 115 merc.
1 - 20 of 48 Posts
