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Ray · #1 02-21-2001, 11:50 AM

I am thinking of buying a skiff for inshore fly fishing. I plan on using it around Chatham, The Vineyard, and the whole R.I. coast and bay.

I like the features (and $) of the 16 foot Key Largo and Maritime skiffs.

Does anyone have experience and / or opinions on these boats, or class of boats?

Thanks in advance,

Ray "If We Only Had A Boat" Avitable

jaydreamin · #2 02-21-2001, 03:53 PM

Buy another 2 feet if you can! It'll make the difference
between getting there and wishing you could get there when
things are just too rough for the 16' (As they often are).

Bob Parsons · #3 02-21-2001, 06:54 PM

I almost bought the Key largo since they are not a bad price. Since I had a 16' boat I would have gone for the next size up.

I liked it over the Maritime skiff since it was a complete package where as the skiff you have to decide about the console and other features. I liked the built in gas tank in the KL over the MS portable tank in the console.

BuzzBryson · #4 02-21-2001, 09:12 PM

Ray,

Not that familiar with your area, but I have a 16' Maritime Skiff that I fish down here in NC. I fish local lakes, Roanoke River for stripers, Cape Lookout area for albies (and Spanish, reds, etc). I think it's a very versatile boat, economical, dry, and I have no complaints at all. It's been fine with three people in it (only two at a time flinging flies), and it worked well.

As far as going larger, I don't know. I've been out in 20 foot (and larger boats) in weather I wouldn't have gone out in with my 16-footer, and found it wasn't fishable in them either. And I've been out in weather where my boat fared better than some larger boats. But it's still only 16 feet. Depends on what you want to do, and how large your ocean is!

I've had mine about 4 years now, and haven't wished for anything else.

Buzz Bryson

ka1k · #5 02-21-2001, 10:02 PM

Hi Ray,
If you are interested in a little bigger boat I wouldn't overlook the 18' Lema Skiff now being sold by a number of New England dealers.
I have had one for almost a year now and use here on the flats of Florida and also out of Point Judith, RI later on in the year.
Takes the chop well and is dry and I can fish it in about 14" of water fully loaded with 2 fishermen.
Good hunting and have fun.
Jerry

Slamdance · #6 02-22-2001, 12:01 PM

In my opinion, the two boats aren't really in the same league. The Key Largo is a very wet ride. Sure, as Bob said, you get more with the Largo, but the boats are not at all similar in hull design, ride, interior room or stability. The Maritime will eat the Largo in a heavy sea. If you have the opportunity to compare them side by side, do it and you will see what I mean. I've fished on several Key largo 16s and own a Maritime 16.

Bob Parsons · #7 02-22-2001, 10:47 PM

Thanks Steve, I knew you could give a users view of the maritime skiff. I certainly have seen Steve flying thru the chop leaving my lund in the dust or should I say mist.

Steve can you give a comparison of the the maritime to the Aquasport. To me anything is better that the flat bottomed pounding I'm accustomed to.

Slamdance · #8 02-23-2001, 01:56 PM

Bob: The only Aquasport I've ridden in was an older 20 footer. Nice boat, though. I'd say the MS 16 would compare better to the AS 175 Osprey rather than the 165. The Aquasports are all lined hulls whereas the MS has no liner. Having no liner lightens the boats and gives more room inside to move around (fish) in. It alsoe means there's not good places for dry storage, fish boxes, horizontal rod storage, etc. The AS 175 is 810 pounds heavier than the MS 1609. The MS 1609 is also beamier than the Osprey (7'6" vs. 6'9") which gives even more inside room, and a more stable platform at rest. The AS has more storage than the MS by a long shot. The big difference in ride would be from the deadrise. Neither boat is deep-v by any means. Off the top of my head I can't remember the deadrise on the Maritime but I would guess it is comparable to the Aquasport.

I've heard lots of good things about the quality of Aquasports boats.

jaydreamin · #9 02-23-2001, 03:44 PM

I bet Steve will still try to leave you in his mist! What
will you do now?

Slamdance · #10 02-23-2001, 04:08 PM

He will no-doubt catch up with me and pass me. Unless I'm in my Parker. ;-)

Bob Parsons · #11 02-26-2001, 03:32 PM

17.5 Aquasport Osprey 90hp yamaha speed about 38
deadrise on stern is 12 degrees It'll get the job done and still access some skinny water.

Green gel coat so I'll look about the same on the water.

can cruise thru chop at 24mph that would send my teech/kidneys chattering in the lund.

I'm ready to chase tunoids.