If your going to be fishing Oceanside 80% of the time I would go for the heron18 as it will be more comfortable. That’s being said the 16 is a hell of a skiff and can handle it’s own on the ocean if you pick your days. I was Oceanside out of marathon on my advent (a narrow heron16) for close to a week and was very very impressed with how it performed. I think with a fold away tongue you might be able to get the 18ft in your garage
New skiff thoughts
Hey all!
Not sure how cohesive this post will be, but just wanted to get opinions. I currently have a 16' Silverking which I absolutely adore, it's a great skiff. But, it definitely doesn't suit the way I have been fishing for the past several years. So, I'm toying around with looking at some options for changing it up and getting something else.
So the vast majority of the fishing I do is summer tarpon fly fishing for oceanside fish. This involves a lot of poling, and even more running in chop off the beach. The silverking is a dream to pole, but you get pretty beat up, and wet on a sea breeze. This is due to the "old style" hull, which is super wide and short. So it's great once you're fishing, but getting there is pretty awful.
The other fishing I do is general flats fishing while poling or on a trolling motor, but I'd say 80% of the time I wait until summer for the majority of my fishing.
Budget is around $30k, I always assumed I'd go used, but I really don't plan on selling what I get for quite a while, so buying new is an option.
For new, I've been looking at the Heron 16'/18' and the new xplor skiff. I hate the look of the spray rail on the xplor, but it does seem slick.
Ideally it would be able to fit in a 20' garage, but I know that eliminates anything over 17' realistically, so it's not a deal breaker. Definitely needs to ride well in chop, so presumably looking for a fairly narrow entry.
So if I could get some general suggestions, and maybe some thoughts on the 16' vs 18' Heron, since the 16' could go in the garage, but I worry that it will still struggle oceanside.
Thanks so much for any suggestions!
Not sure how cohesive this post will be, but just wanted to get opinions. I currently have a 16' Silverking which I absolutely adore, it's a great skiff. But, it definitely doesn't suit the way I have been fishing for the past several years. So, I'm toying around with looking at some options for changing it up and getting something else.
So the vast majority of the fishing I do is summer tarpon fly fishing for oceanside fish. This involves a lot of poling, and even more running in chop off the beach. The silverking is a dream to pole, but you get pretty beat up, and wet on a sea breeze. This is due to the "old style" hull, which is super wide and short. So it's great once you're fishing, but getting there is pretty awful.
The other fishing I do is general flats fishing while poling or on a trolling motor, but I'd say 80% of the time I wait until summer for the majority of my fishing.
Budget is around $30k, I always assumed I'd go used, but I really don't plan on selling what I get for quite a while, so buying new is an option.
For new, I've been looking at the Heron 16'/18' and the new xplor skiff. I hate the look of the spray rail on the xplor, but it does seem slick.
Ideally it would be able to fit in a 20' garage, but I know that eliminates anything over 17' realistically, so it's not a deal breaker. Definitely needs to ride well in chop, so presumably looking for a fairly narrow entry.
So if I could get some general suggestions, and maybe some thoughts on the 16' vs 18' Heron, since the 16' could go in the garage, but I worry that it will still struggle oceanside.
Thanks so much for any suggestions!
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
The Heron 18 is a perfect skiff for your fishing style you described. However, based on your budget the 16 will fit the bill as well. PM sent.
I would hold out for a use Marquesas. When i was looking for a bigger boat, I found one in charleston for 30k, but decided to get a blackjack instead. Just wait for the right deal, esp if you mostly fish summers and therefore have a year to shop.
1 - 4 of 4 Posts
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