Solo Skiff

[smr913]

Anyone use them? Looks like they could be a fun way to zip around the lake. They look sweet. Too bad no dealers near me. 

[Goose52]

Never heard of it until you mentioned it and don't believe it has ever been discussed in this forum.

 

I am always interested in new small watercraft and I have my own selection criteria that come into play. For this boat - the downside for me is the weight. It's 150 pounds for the bare hull then add in your motor(s), batteries, gas,gear, etc. So, you basically have to trailer it. If you're going to trailer, then you have LOTS of options for all sorts of boats.

 

Once you're in the water, it looks like a cross between a kayak and a Gheenoe. It would paddle fairly well (for a big boat), and gives you a gas motor (or TM )option, and would handle skinny water well.  One of the photos shows a person standing so it probably has good stability.  It would get through weeds and slop fairly well and would be easy to pole if necessary.

 

BUT, OTOH, you are solo in a big heavy boat and give up the passenger option, have limited room for stuff, and still have to consider how to rig stuff on it. It doesn't have all the nifty accessory tracks and other gadgets and gizmos that kayaks have.

 

At the end of the day, I think it comes down to being appealing for the folks that like that gas motor option but still want a boat that can get in skinny water and through slop. 

[smr913]

Appreciate your thoughts Goose. Lots of videos of them on YouTube that I found showing stability and rigging. The outboard they recommend has an internal gas tank which avoids having the gas tank at your feet. The weight restricts you, but in my specific situation may not be an issue (have my own dock at the lake to store the boat.)

 

While it is rated for one person I think I would be well below the 400 pound capacity taking one of my kids with me for some joy rides. 

 

This may never catch on like kayaks, but I could see this being a lot of fun for lake trips even with no fishing. I'll probably give it a couple years and see what the market dictates.

 

 

[the reel ess]

I agree with @Goose52 It looks like too much for one and not enough for more. lately, I'm intrigued by NuCanoe to fill this niche. You can rig with a motor, sit's up high enough and you can swivel 360 of you rig the seat right and supposedly they're stable. They also look a lot drier than my SOT kayak.

[A-Jay]

First time I've seen that one - pretty slick.

A few thought and clearly these are from the cheap seat as I've not seen nor ever been in one of these.

 

My Old Town ~

 

Weights 120 dry hull.  Been fishing in solo for going on 10 years. Love it.   I trailer it.  Loading & Unloading the gear before & aft the launch can be labor intensive depending on how much is brought.  But leaving gear in it during trailering as well as recovering it is Not an option.  Clearly just a canoe & I use it that way.    The Solo Skiff also looks like a flat water, sheltered water, super calm day type of deal to me.

A-Jay

[J Francho]

Just another means to an end.  With the blossoming segment in the marketplace, you're going to see some interesting offerings that on  the surface, might look like they don't make sense, but might be useful to a niche market.  Some of the more creative solutions make it into mainstream offerings.  I could see fishing resorts having a livery of these.

[Darren.]

8 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Just another means to an end.  With the blossoming segment in the marketplace, you're going to see some interesting offerings that on  the surface, might look like they don't make sense, but might be useful to a niche market.  Some of the more creative solutions make it into mainstream offerings.  I could see fishing resorts having a livery of these.

 

Agree. Niche. And they're pretty cool, to boot.

Not my idea of what I'd want, but someone will

find them an attractive offering.