This is my first post on MMT even though I have been visiting it for some time now.You guys are great with lots of info to help everyone out.With that being said in the next month or so I will order a new boat it will be 18x48. Now for the part I have questions about flatboats are pretty straight forward the skiffs I have questions about.I hunt strictly Venice and have to cross the Miss river on every hunt.How would a skiff perform do they handle rough water well, do they "dive", and do they wet you. I think they would be easier to hide while hunting and they look cool but I don't want a misrible ride to and from. The motor will be a supa dupa pro-drive delux wit all the bells and whistles. Thanks

im here to tell ya.. skiffs are the devil.. i run one.. and anyone that runs one will tell ya!

skiffs are great for timber, and runnin the basin crawfishin

it all depends on the rake of skiff u get as compared to getting wet and crossing rough water. i have a morgan city style rake, as i cross the atchafalaya some and have rougher water than that of the henderson rake, mainly made for the timber. my old skiff was a henderson rake.. it bit alot harder than my new style skiff does.

if u need to ask about a skiff, u prolly have no business in one. not tryna be an ass or anything, but yea they look cool, but they will hurt ya!

It sounds like a skiff ain't what you need, it may look cool but the conditions you described you'd be better suited with a beatua. I will tell ya I have a high rake on mine and crossing lakes and the river with 20-30mph winds you will get wet, depending on which way the wind is blowing it ain't that bad but most of the time that ain't the case. It don't matter how much rake u got if you hit a wave the wrong way it will bite. If I hunted the marsh then I wouldn't have a skiff, it's just not needed in that type of terrain.

Ask tchredneck about a skiff He has one, has for years, and tossed himself out of mine! I think my boat was just getting back at him for tossing me out though

I think a skiff and a bateau will get you wet the same as far as water climbing the sides or wind blowing spray back at you. You definately don't want a skiff for ruff water or passing crew boats wakes.

Thanks for the feedback looks like a flat is the way to go for me .A skiff would be more fun in da summer but would suck during hunting season for me.Now to decide where to get boat built PD,bruda,and now aucoins back in business.Lots of decisions!!

I hunt venice and cross the river as well. I would go with a bataeu with tall sides and tall transom. I had a 18x44 godevil boat short side and short transom with a 36 prodrive and it would get scary after a tanker passed.
Now I have a 18x60 prodrive with tall sides and tall tansom and I will feel better about crossing the river at night.

if you gotta ask you dont need one, pointed bow bateau might be a option to consider

i love my skiff, but white1 torpedeo design thing is the forkin devil

I'm not worried about handling a skiff with a little stick time I would be good I can run anything from a crewboat to a jet ski hell I just sold my third airboat I been having them since I was 18.Anyway yall pretty much talked me into a flat.Does anyone have any info how PD new reverse feature is coming along I gots to have that feature!