So I actually fish 90% of the time by myself, but needed a comprise for the family. The Guide really seems to check a lot of those boxes. I ran Oceanside this morning, back into creeks no wider the the skiff just after low tide....very versatile skiff!
Poles pretty easy and well in my opinion. I came out of a little Ankona and was kind of worried about it being a pig to pole, but so far pleasantly surprised by various experiences. Of course into heavy wind and current, and you are going to have to work for it!
Power is a new Yami 70 and 3 blade 14 pitch stainless. 2 people 5000 Rpm’s avg seems to be 28-30 mph burning approximately 4 gph. Pull back to low/mid 20’s mph and burn jumps down to 3gph. Of course whether you are into wind and current or against it will change the numbers. Loaded down burns a bit more fuel and drops a couple mph’s off those numbers
As far as draft, from all I’ve read, the boat was designed to carry/float heavier loads. We had 3 full grown men in the grass recently and it floated over things I thought for sure we’d hit, but I’d say it’s a 8” boat regardless of weight. Actually its at it’s best with that ballast up front.
I fish out of Folly and you are welcome anytime
I was just looking at the guide. Seems like great boat, for not hearing much about it. How well does it pole? What hp are you running and what kind of speeds are you seeing with 2 people vs 3 or 4? What about draft with those amounts of people?