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We are looking to buy a used Flats Skiff for bone fishing and are considering the Maverick Tailfisher. Firstly does anyone have experience with this boat as it will get some tough work in harsh conditions and secondly, for $20,000, any other brands anyone would recommend?
I have never fished out of a Maverick before, but they sure look like really nice boats. It's the same company as Shearwater right? Very high quality.
I would at least look at a few more brands. I'd suggest Hells Bay, Hewes and Action Craft. You'll likely have to pick the Action Craft up used but I've fished out of some and they are really nice.
The Hells Bay boats closed there doors or were sold, but are now open for business again. There pretty popular boats here in SC and very, very nice. Jose Wejebe (AKA the Spanish Fly) fishes out of one on most of his flats trips.
And then there is Hewes.........who has always had a pretty good grasp on the flats boat market.
Good Luck.....I don't think you'll go wrong with any of the above boats.
Hewes , pathfinder and Maverick have common ownership.
Hewes and Maverick are true flats boat and Maverick is more of a bay boat.
Great quality and common here in the everglades region of FL.
Hewes and Mavericks are great boats. You might want to look at the Action Craft 1890. I think my 1890 is the best all around flats boat. It is fast, it draws almost no water (If I can't go somewhere, a redfish bigger than 5 pounds can't either), and the layout is perfect for what I do.
I have a 2006 Kenner 1902 Vision. Great boat excellent ride. I have friends with Hewes, Scout, Cobia, and I think the Kenner rides better. I am looking to sell it if you might be interested. I have about 50 hours on it and it has a Mercury Optimax 115hp. Let me know I can email some pics. You can see it on Kenner's website www.kenner-boats.com. Click on the Vision 1902, mine is red and white just like the pictures.
If you want the best for $20,000., look at a used 16'7" or 18'9" carbon/Kevlar Egret. Honest 8-9" draft (loaded), incredible ride, poles easy and straight, and the best fit/finish in the industry. These boats also have tremendous attention to detail, including sea chests; dry (really!), guttered, and illuminated storage compartments; locking, contoured rod lockers; self-bailing cockpits; wide, walk-around covering boards; etc.. One outdoor writer dubbed Egrets the "Rolls Royce of flats skiffs," and I believe most folks who have fished from one would agree.
The Tailfisher is made by Hewes. Like others have said Hewes Maverick Pathfinder and now Cobia are all one company. The MHP compay is the leader in shallow water boats. The Tailfisher is a great boat, abit of a rough ride. A little better ride would be the Maverick HPX-V . My neighbor just bought a Mitizi Skiff 17' with a 70. great little boat. Very basic not alot of storage, but floats shallow and rides pretty good.
Take a good luck at the Sterlings. One of the best riding flats boats on the Market. A 2005 model sold on this site last month for 18K. They come loaded, and the price is normally better than the hewes/maverick/pathfinders
To clarify, Maverick Boat Company, INC. is the parent company of Maverick and Hewes flats and backcountry boats, Pathfinder bay boats and Cobia fishing/ family boats.
As for the Hewes Tailfisher, it is a great little shallow water skiff but not the best bet when it comes to bonefishing. The boats we build in the Maverick line (HPX) are more specialized and are more suited to poling the shallows for spooky creatures.
I've owned and fished out of a Maverick now for many years. Mine's a little unusual since I was able to buy it un-rigged and set it up myself. That said, instead of looking at brands (which is just a starting point...) I'd try to give some thought about what you actually plan to do with the skiff. Every "little boat", flats skiff or not is a compromise - you gain one advantage by giving up another. A boat that poles in very shallow water, for instance, might be just a tad uncomfortable in any real world open bay running. A boat with a great live well system might be really tough to pole, but perfect with a trolling motor in a little deeper water... Here's what I'd do. Figure out just how you're planning on using that skiff and find one or two guys that are doing that kind of fishing and see what they're running. If possible fish for a day in any boat you're considering buying if possible. If you know of a guide that has that model ask him (or her) what they like, and particularly what they don't like, about their rig. It might open your eyes... Lastly if there's a fishing club in your area join up and try to fish with every member that will have you aboard. That's one of the best ways I know of to learn about skiffs from guys that use them a lot. It's what I did years ago after working on bigger boats. Good luck.
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Tight Lines
Capt Bob LeMay
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Maverick - Best Flats Skiff?
