Top Skiff Boat Manufacturers

If you are a boating enthusiast, you need a skiff boat that meets your boating needs. A fundamental hallmark of all skiff boats is simplicity. There are many boating manufacturers specializing in technical poling skiffs, but not all of them match up in terms of durability and functionality. This guide makes it easier for you to choose top skiff boat manufacturers known to create high-performing, well-designed, and quality-built technical poling skiffs.

The specific activities you intend to undertake with a skiff boat should help you determine the model that best suits your needs. Many boating enthusiasts use skiff boats for wide-ranging activities, including leisure fishing, tournament fishing, and sunset cruises with friends and loved ones. Listed below are five of the top skiff boat manufacturers in the market today.

1. Carolina Skiff

Carolina Skiff makes boats out of Waycross, Georgia. They specialize in skiffs and other small boats for fishing recreation. Carolina Skiff was founded in 1986 by John Nixon and is now one of the largest manufacturers of skiff boats in the USA.

Carolina Skiff's boats are renowned for their durability, versatility, and affordability. They have many models to match budgets and needs. They use fiberglass and aluminum and are proud of the fact that they have no wood in their hulls.

Carolina Skiff has boats with unique features and specifications. They start off with a bare-bones boat that is affordable and functional. They offer many options and upgrades for easy customization. Skiffs are made with fiberglass, making them lightweight, strong over time, and easily navigable. With a rather minimalist design, their boats tend to be low-maintenance when compared with other boats.

Carolina Skiff sells skiffs with center consoles so you can fish on any side of the boat as well as handle technical poling from a raised poling platform. They have high-end bay boats and economical inshore models to please everyone. Additionally, the firm emphasizes functionality over fanciful optiions on their skiffs boats.

You'll appreciate the endless options and upgrades available with their skiffs. You can order a boat with the following. Some of the other manufacturers listed on this page also have similar options.

• Customizable Console – with livewell, fish box, or rod holders.
• Trolling Motor Options – get a built-in trolling motor bracket and wiring.
• Customizable Seating – you can add leaning posts, flip-flop seats, or padded backrests.
• Customizable Paint – you can add custom graphics or two-tone schemes.
• Extra-wide Beam – some models can be ordered with wide beams for stability and extra room.
• Waterproof Storage
• Built-in Fuel Tanks – to maximize space and for aesthetics.
• Rigging Packages – you can add rod holders, fish finders, lights, and a bimini top.

Skiff boats designed by Carolina Skiff are easy to handle on the water and tow around town. All you need is a moderate-size truck to move it to your favorite boat ramp. Here are some of the latest skiff boat models released by Carolina Skiff.

RELATED: Carolina Skiff Review: Key Features and Competing Models

2. Mitzi Skiff

The Mitzi Skiff line of boats began with Tom Mitzlaff when he couldn't find exactly the boat he wanted to buy. He insisted on a wide-open space for fly fishing, a shallow draft, and a quiet ride on the flats. Mitzi Skiff has all composite, wide, shallow water skiffs.

Tom designed his own line of affordable skiffs. So, being the resourceful person he is, Tom ended up designing his own line of skiffs. This year they have 4 models ranging from 15-17 feet in overall length, including a tournament model.

Mitzi Skiff boats will surely meet your performance, durability, and reliability expectations. Simplicity and utility are two of the company’s guiding mantras. Mitzi Skiff’s skiffs effortlessly navigate skinny water as well as cut through the open water seamlessly.

Mitzi 15, the company’s first skiff boat model, laid a solid foundation for the development of subsequent boats. All of Mitzi's recent models focus on the recreational fishing needs of buyers. With dealers in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida you'll be well served!

It is worth noting that the Mitzi 15 can carry a maximum of 3 people. You can choose side tiller steering or a center console. The Mitzi 15 is your best bet if you are primarily a shallow-water angler who needs to pole often. You can learn more about other models offered by Mitzi Skiff by looking at the list below.

3. Boston Whaler

World-renowned recreational boat maker, Boston Whaler makes it to our list of the top-rated skiff manufacturers because of its excellent offerings and reliability over the years. The brand’s most popular models fall into four categories: Super Sport, Montauk, Dauntless, and Outrage.

All have different designs, features, and specifications. One commonality between them is their unsinkable hull design. They claim to have the safest boats on the ocean.

Super Sport models are small (13' and 16') and easy to operate and tow. This model has built-in safety features that make them ideal for family use. Go from lake fishing to flats fishing in no time.

Montauk models are 15', 17', 19', and 21' and have a shallow draft that enhances their overall stability on the flats and allows the boats to get into shallow spots other boats cannot. The Mntauks' center console frees up space for walking completely around the boat and for more storage for fishing gear on the vessel. Montauk models are perfect for recreational fishing, waterboarding, skiing, and sunset cruises.

Dauntless models are 22', 25', and 28'. They are built for family fun, and really any water activity you can come up with from inshore and offshore fishing to family outings on unexplored islands.

Dauntless has plenty of amenities and options for your specific use cases. For fishing, you can opt for pedestal fishing seats and a reversible pilot seat that allows room for a livewell.

Other great water sports options you can get include a tower, casting, and swimming platform.

Boston Whaler designed Outrage models with not only fishing but luxury cruising and comfort in mind too. Offshore deep-sea fishing? Covered. SCUBA diving? Covered. Overnights with the family as you cruise from West Palm Beach down to the Keys? Covered!

With 23', 25', 28', 33', 36', and 42' boats, you'll be able to find the perfect size boat for anything you have in mind. With a comfortable head, roomy cockpit, and summer kitchen, the level of comfort and space on these boats is unparalleled.

Listed below are the specifications of some Boston Whaler models.

4. Grady-White

Grady-White Boats out of Greenville, North Carolina is one of the top skiff boat manufacturers in the country. Whether you consider yourself a sports fisherman or a recreational angler, Grady-White boats give you an unmatched experience on the water. Grady-White Boat customers enjoy a large variety of boat lengths and styles to choose from, high customer satisfaction, reliability, safety, and quality ratings.

The innovative design of Grady-White skiff models enhances their versatility. The boats are made of fiberglass and other composite materials. In essence, the materials give Grady-White skiffs exceptional durability, reliability, and structural integrity. You can deploy the boats in various environments ranging from shallow freshwaters to saltwater bodies.

Grady-White skiff models come with either center or dual consoles. Fisherman and Canyon models have center consoles that give some space around the sides of the boat and are ideal for anglers bringing family or extra anglers along on fun fishing expeditions and cruising. Dual consoles on the Freedom models are also ideal for family outings and are adaptable for a wide range of water activities.

Here are some Grady-White skiff models you should consider.

5. Beavertail Skiffs

Beavertail is one of the top skiff boat manufacturers in the USA and is based out of Bradenton, Florida. Beavertail designs incorporate top engineering, innovation, and beautiful lines and design. Beavertail skiffs come in either center or dual consoles and have many trim levels to choose from. Of course, technical poling platforms are available as an option.

The Beavertail Skiff boats have a reputation for being reliable and highly functional boats that are popular with fishing captains all over. Beavertail skiff models also have unique designs that enable them to cruise in rough waters.

Beavertail Skiffs are made of strong fiberglass and composites. The materials are chosen to ensure the skiffs remain lightweight and structurally robust at the same time. As options, you can get accessories for fishing like a poling platform and bow casting platform, depending on the model that fits you best.

Before purchasing, you should take advantage of their "Try before you buy" program. They'll set you up on a fishing charter with a captain on one of their skiffs so you can try it out yourself. If you do purchase, they'll apply part of your charter cost to the payment of your new boat.

Beavertail Skiff models are assigned to three categories: big water, ultra-skinny water, and skinny water. Models that fall under the ultra-skinny water and skinny water categories allow you to boat in very shallow waters. Big water boats are ideal for some skinny and deeper water and their focus is more on comfort and space. They have a tournament model with a lot of deck space and significantly enhanced power options.

Here is the full range of Beavertail Skiff models you may consider.

Takeaways

The fishing boat manufacturers shown above are all world-class and have large followings. Some have been making boats for decades, while others saw an opportunity and filled the niche with boats people needed but couldn't find.

The brands above have high ratings by buyers because of their designs, features, engineering, specifications, and range of available options. For some, the price is right and is a perfect combination of price vs. value.

For others, the price is an afterthought and the real goal of purchasing a boat costing several hundred thousand dollars is multi-fold but always includes comfort, space, and premium options.

If you're considering buying a fishing boat, no matter what brand, spend as much time as you can in similar boats and the boats you are considering for purchase because nothing can replace time on the water to clarify exactly what you want in your next boat.

Don't forget considerations such as regular motor maintenance, trailer cost, the weight of the boat, and whether your current vehicle can handle it. Think also about what modifications may be needed to your brakes and suspension. Think about the future too. Could you see yourself becoming a fishing guide in your area? You might purchase a boat with that in mind.

Boat ownership is filled with highs and some lows. You'll certainly find that a boat gives you some of life's most enjoyable and long-lasting memories with family and friends, and even just yourself out there solo-fishing with nobody around.

Let us know how you go about choosing your boat, and what you decided on. We're always eager to hear what our readers are doing!