After my trip to Tals home and looking at his dads Bogas skiff I am thinking I need one. I need a boat I can use on a basis of running my nets when the weather is nice and all my gear is out. My plateboat is great for hauling tackle around and for really rough days. Once I have my gear out I really miss my smaller boat for running nets each day. I was looking at the La Sportsman classifieds and google searches and seen some skiffs with the console up in the front behind a windshield. All open in the back. What do you think of these type of skiffs? I would even like a skiff with some type of v bow for cutting waves. I'm not needing a boat for really shallow water but for a boat that can be manuvered around while running gill nets. There is one skiff with the console up front with a 90 on it that really tickles my fancy. I have however never ran one and have no idea if its a death trap or a really slick rig. I know alot of you guys have major running time in skiffs and looking for some thoughts. I would like one to have 30 inch sides, 3/16 bottom, tread plate all around and a floor a little wider than 48 inches. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I am wanting one to be used with a outboard and not a mudmotor.
Randy

IMO that is the only way to go for a working skiff. Puts you right up front in the action. Thats how I had mine set up. Any skiff can be tricky, especially when your running it from the bow. But using a little common sense and you will be fine. Hundreds of fishermen run them that way every day.

The skiff we had was a Dugas skiff, made in Coteau Holmes. The boys for the Loreauville area knows the boats he built. I think one thing for you to make sure of is the rake on a skiff. The only problem people have with skiffs is when crossing wide wakes, such as a tugs wake you have to slow extremely down for your bow to be high in the air when hitting the second and third or it will bite in and turn on a dime. I really like the way Aucoin builds the rakes on their skiffs for running the river that saves you from getting thrown out.

I know where there is one that is 20'x60" and I think has a Merc 150 or 175 on it. Pretty big boat. If interested I can get more info on it. I think the guy is wanting to get $6k for the whole thing.

miller73 I thank you for the info. I have to say that I must do more research on skiffs before I plunk my cash down. If you don't mind I would like more info/pics on the rig you mentioned. I really fell in love with the Dugas boat T als dad owns. Sucka is heavy duty. I would be interested in what Aucoin can work up. I checked the La sportsman classifieds and found many to look at and ponder over. I do think that I need one with 28/30 inch sides as I plan to use it for the Ohio River. 20x60 is right along where I need to be.
Keep the thoughts/suggestions/info a rolling.
Thanks
Randy

I will never own anything except a skiff. I've been owning them for the past 20 years and have had them in all configurations. If you're running gill nets i would say forward controlls would be the best option. They are not hard to handle and manuever really well. A 60" wide skiff is really big, they are generally narrower than bateau's so if you need 60" you'll probably have to have it built. My dad has a 20'X60" w/ somewhere around 30" sides and a 2' gill bracket on it. That thing is absolutely massive but it is a great working boat.

I appreciate the input! Before my plateboat [23'x72"] I ran a Polarkraft 17'x54" which was handy for a day to day net runner. My plateboat is ideal for hauling big loads and for really rough weather. I would like something in between.
I look at my GDSD 18x48 and think what it would be like running gill nets in the winter[enter scary face]. A 20x60 skiff with 28-30 inch sides would be a good day to day boat
Bubby any chance you could get a pic or two of your dads boat?

Netman, I'll see if I can get pics and the other info on it. You are willing to come and get it? That is if it's right for you?

cmiller yeah I would like to see pics and info. And if it is right for me I am willing to drive down.
Randy

Well netman, I talked to the guy about the boat. Problem is he's in Texas on a job and won't be done there for 2-3 weeks.
However, I found out it's 22'x5' and has a 135 Merc Black Max onit. He says it run about 60mph.
I will try to get his girlfriend/my cousin to get pics. I'll let you know when I get them. It might be a few days, so if you find something else, jump on it.

cmiller thanks a bunch. Yeah I'm looking right now but the right one comes along I am in the market. Let me know when you get the pics. Randy