Are Carolina Skiffs Any Good? The Pros & The Cons

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If you’re in the market for a new backwater utility boat, or affordable fishing vessel, a Carolina Skiff probably came across your bow.

While they are very popular, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of these recognizable boats.

I’ve owned a Carolina Skiff JV17 since 2019, and I’ll share with you my first-hand experience.

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Are Carolina Skiffs Any Good?

Carolina Skiffs are one of the best brands of fiberglass hull boats. They are versatile, tough, and stable boats designed primarily for inshore fishing. Carolina Skiffs excel in calm water conditions and have one of the best floatation ratings.

Carolina Skiff, LLC, as a company, has built up a good reputation over the last 30-plus years. Established in 1990, many agree that Carolina Skiff produces durable, stable, well-built small vessels.

Regarding Carolina Skiff’s popularity, since 1997, their boats have been top sellers in the fiberglass outboard motor category.

Is Carolina Skiff A Good Boat?

Carolina Skiff currently produces 16 skiff models. However, you’ll often find many older models for sale from second-hand boat dealers.

These models vary slightly to accommodate and cater to various owner needs. Overall, many agree that Carolina Skiffs are tough “little” boats that can take a fair beating.

The Carolina Skiff line boats are affordable and dependable vessels in a fair price range. Far from luxury vessels, these boats are designed for the economic angler or boater with adequate features and a reliable brand name.

Are Carolina Skiffs Any Good? The Pros & The Cons

Do a little searching online, and you’ll probably read about a lot of boaters saying that Carolina Skiffs are “rough” boats. That they do not handle chop well.

And while this is true, I personally feel it is a bit overexaggerated. Part of owning a vessel is understanding how to properly operate it, and knowing its limitations.

My JV17 has a modified V-full, and I know that there are winds above 20 mph or 2-foot chop, I’m going to have a bumpy and wet ride.

But, I’m a realist. It’s a skiff, after all- not a deep-v heavy boat like Mako or even Keywest.

Support for these boats is relatively well divided…with the general consensus being that they make great beginner boats and economy vessels.

However, many enjoy them for what they are, tough, stable boats that get the job done.

The Pros And Cons Of Carolina Skiffs

The best way to understand the arguments for and against Carolina Skiffs is to look at the benefits and drawbacks of using one.

Pros

  • Carolina Skiff hulls are made from 100% composite material (an integrated fiberglass stringer system), which results in a solid, durable structure that does not rot like wood.
  • Carolina Skiff provides a 10-year warranty against delamination and separation on all models post 2019 (provided there is no evidence of damage from incorrect use).
  • Carolina Skiff’s quality is “guaranteed” as all boats are certified by the National Marine Manufacturers’ Association.
  • Many Carolina Skiff Models have a shallow draft, and their modified V-hull design makes turning with a trolling motor easy.
  • Due to their lightweight and small outboard requirements, Carolina Skiffs (certain models) are fuel-efficient.
  • Most Carolina Skiff models require little or no trim for effective outboard motor performance.
  • Carolina Skiffs are relatively cheap compared to other similar vessels on the market.

Cons

  • If there is any hull breach (from the deck or the hull), Carolina Skiffs take on water and are difficult to drain due to their hull compartments.
  • Due to their fiberglass hulls, Carolina Skiffs left in water for too long develop hull blisters. Skiffs require periodic barrier protection applications to prevent this.
  • Delamination is another issue for some boat owners.
  • The most significant drawback of flat-bottomed Carolina Skiffs is that while they are great in calm or stationary water if there is any “chop” (or any waves), these boats can bash you around significantly. 

What Are Carolina Skiffs Good For?

One of the prominent marketing points for Carolina Skiffs is that they are versatile small craft vessels.

Their primary function is for fishing, and to that end, most models excel. These boats tend to be ideally suited for “skinny water,” backwater, rivers, lagoons, and lake fishing.

I personally use mine for navigating the intercoastal waterway here in Florida, as well as taking it on the St. Johns River, and numerous lakes and ponds throughout the state.

JV17 Carolina Skiff

Their lightweight and shallow draft mean that you can get in close to oyster banks without fear of getting stuck.

Many smaller models are also fantastic because they are easily beached and easily re-launched. 

They are, however, ideal for many other uses, including crabbing, snorkeling, runabouts, and fishing/hunting.

Some of the newer Ultra Elite models and the Sea Chaser models are designed for offshore use and benefit from the deeper V hull, providing a great family boat for getting out on the waves.

Are Carolina Skiffs Tough Boats?

Although many boat owners have some complaints about the roughness of the flat-bottomed Carolina Skiff’s ride (not all models are flat bottom), they agree that Carolina Skiffs can take a beating, and are stable, making them incredibly tough boats. 

However, the “toughness” of a boat is directly proportional to the care and maintenance it receives. If you look after a boat, it will look after you. If you neglect the boat, it will lose its durability.

As a “test” to prove how tough their boats are, Carolina Skiff parked the front end of a Peterbilt wrecker on an upside-down skiff. The weight was roughly 13,000 lbs. without breaking the hull. 

Are Carolina Skiffs Unsinkable?

The Titanic was called “unsinkable.” Carolina Skiffs, like all other boats, are not 100% unsinkable.

You will have a salvage operation on your hands in the right conditions! It might not be an immediate sinking, but the boat could sink after time.

The “marketing point” is that if your Carolina Skiff is swamped (flooded), it will maintain its buoyancy, and the water should drain out of the boat, not sink. 

Another “test” that Carolina Skiff did was to cut one of their boats into three pieces. They put these pieces on a lake with two people per section.

Due to the foam, the boat segments continued to float; however, we would not recommend this as a common practice to reduce weight!

Carolina Skiffs are stable and durable, provided they are used in the correct situations.

Do Carolina Skiffs Get Waterlogged?

Many boat owners experience waterlogging issues.

The seals begin to perish in older boats, and water seeps into the hull through the deck. Carolina Skiffs have foam floats within the hull, compartmentalized with fiberglass walls, so draining the boat from the back often does not remove all the water. 

Although a waterlogging issue won’t necessarily sink your vessel, it does increase the weight, reducing fuel efficiency and making the boat heavier to tow. 

The Carolina Skiff Owners forum and the Hulltruth have some suggestions on what to do when you have water in your hull.

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Carolina Skiffs

Are Carolina Skiffs In Demand?

Carolina Skiffs and other flat bottom boats are increasingly in demand which has made them more expensive in the past few years.

My JV17 Carolina Skiff
My JV17 Carolina Skiff

Anglers and boaters alike benefit from the convenience of a smaller, lighter boat ideal for run-around, shallow and calmer waters. Due to their stalwart reputation, Carolina Skiffs are still popular little boats today.

While most Carolina Skiff models are popular, the company offers four product ranges.

Although all designed with versatility in mind, Carolina Skiff designed each range to cater to a different audience. 

  • The JLS range includes 16, 17, and 19-foot boats.
  • The LS range includes 17, 19, 21, 23, and 25-foot boats. 
  • The SWS range includes 19 and 21-foot boats.
  • The Ultra Elite range includes 19, 21, 23, 24, and 26-foot boats.

The LS range is Carolina Skiff’s flagship series of boats. Marketed as primarily fishing boats, they exhibit the versatility that Carolina Skiffs are known for. 

According to Boat Trader, popular models include 19 LS, 21 LS, 23 Ultra Elite, 198 DLV (discontinued), and 21 Ultra Elite.

Growing up in Florida, I’ve been surrounded by saltwater my entire life…and I love sharing my passion with others.

To learn more about why I started Saltwater Mecca, visit the ABOUT page.

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