Looking for a first boat to use fishing coastal bays with my son. Was originally thinking about a 14-16 footer. Have an opportunity to buy a 12' Carolina Skiff. Anybody have any opinions on settling for the 12' vs. 14/16'?

Totally depends on where you intend to fish.That would be okay for flats and marshy red fish .

It's probably a function of where you fish but I would never have taken either of my sons or daughter out in a 12 footer.

CS's are unsinkable hulls that are reasonably capable. It'll be a rough ride in chop, but I've fished from a 12' jonboat in East Bay a few times, and in typical conditions it is just fine. For 2 people, or a couple of kids and an adult, it's plenty of boat, imho.

Those J skiffs are just fiberglass versions of flat bottom jon boats.
They will be loud and rough on the water like an aluminum flat bottom jon boat except that a jon boat will cost much less, will be lighter and require less HP, and will require less maintenance.

12' is good for ponds and small lakes where you can anchor up along a protected tree line. I wouldnt take it out in the bay. Even back water bays can get windy.

Thanks for commenting. We fish only in marsh and back lakes and don't really venture out into open bay.

I have never ridden in one, but I think that the 12 footer would tend to be harder to plane out compared to a 14 or 16 foot skiff given equal horsepower. The J series are all the same width, so increasing length from 12 to 16 would increase your aspect ratio considerably.

On a totally in related note, you may consider a 13' Boston Whaler. These were made for lots of years and can be found in varying condition fairly regularly. The double cathedral hull shape rides and turns much better than the CS. This would be a fun project as well as they really are lovely boats.

If you haven't, check out Carolinaskiffowners.com.

Meh, you guys need to boat more. A skilled captain should be able to handle a relatively small boat in varied conditions.

I don't think skilled Captain and first boat should be used together.
I think if you had a couple of young kids a 12 footer might be great for them to be able to use if you had a strict set of rules.

A first boat to me for a father and son should be something that you can expand from.....sooner or later you have to explore the flats on the other side of the big water. Stepping up to a 14-15' should not be a financial decision. It puts you in something that gives you more room just in case you want to bring one of his buddies along.

True. I was just saying it can be done. I've seen teeny boats crossing the bays in good weather.

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Anybody have any opinions on settling for the 12' vs. 14/16'?

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You are correct, you'd be settling. You can do what you said you want to do in a 12', but you would be limiting yourself in other areas.

I understand....I see 14' jon boats 15 miles offshore working shrimp boats every summer. I go a different route.

Thanks to all of you that posted comments. I found a 16' Carolina Skiff for only $750 more than the 12'. Definately a better choice. Thanks again for the help

mike88,

if you dont mind me asking, roughly how much did you pay for it? im prolly going ot have to sell a 18' carolina skiff w/~50hp evinrude because ill be moving to alaska and dont really have any idea of current market value.

Mike, you are going to be glad you got the bigger skiff. Congrats.

I would get my trailer in shape and pull it back and forth. I have had boats in dry storage for years. I believe you are much better off keeping it with you and getting ready to go especially if you are talking salt water. If you choose to go I feel you must wash it completely after every trip.....scrub with a brush and sponge. A car wash will not remove the salt film like a true wash....flush the engine.

I don't think you need any electronics for bays unless you don't have cell coverage.

If you decide to try offshore then a VHF should be on the boat. If you decide to go out of the sight of land.....give Trident or me a credit card number and we will order you some stuff.