A Gheenoe is laughing somewhere watching this

I sold my big bay boat & got the soloskiff because no one wanted to go fishing with me. And even though I have the soloskiff I'd NEVER get rid of my Hobie kayak, it's still very useful for many different fishing situations.

Yep, sounds like experience has finally brought you to a day of reckoning with the H-Skifff. Tough subject, but KUDDOS for brutal honesty, as that sure helped you deliver a great job on the video. Every small boat has it benefits (simplicity, shallow draft, light weight, etc.), but they ALL have their limitations (stability, load capacity, storage, handling, seaworthiness, etc). Unfortunately, most limitations are exacerbated by simple operator inexperience, misjudgment, or unrealistic exceptions. Like in motorcycles, dirt bikes make lousy cross country touring rigs. Unfortunately, the better shallow-marsh fishing areas around here are often quite a fair hike from our few launches, so motorized options are sure enticing. And, 2-up fishing almost always means twice the load weight, more draft, less freeboard, etc. No boating platform is perfect for every mission, and features quickly add complexity, weight, draft limitations, and costs sky-rocket by the foot. Your little micro-skiff is working great for its original designed purpose, as long as you just don't push it to deliver more than it was designed to do. Good luck with your deliberations, and Tight Lines to Y'all !

I went from a kayak to a 22ft boat to a solo skiff and to a hobie. I’m a simple man. I’m staying with the Hobie. Had too many worries about the boats and it took my mind off of enjoying fishing. I love my hobie. A grab and go kayak is what I’m happy with.

@TrevorsCrabs

2 жыл бұрын

^alot to be said about this comment

@drrckhamilton

2 жыл бұрын

Difference between the solo and the hobie.....your perspective? I currently have a Hobie

With what you pay for one of these you're better off buying a seadoo fish pro. It has storage. Fishfinder/gps. Cooler with 4 rod holders. You can add another cooler you can use as a livewell. If you catch anything you can buy a gel pouch that you throw in the freezer and stays cold.

I have a 19ft Mako skiff and have had it for about 3 years now. She will get skinny but only after i got a jack plate and trolling motor. Also added a power pole. I would stay away from a 19 ft just for the simple fact that you may out grow it pretty fast. Love your lessons learned, wish i had known about those things before i started boating. Wake will get you and if you are on the edge of a flat and a big boat goes by it will suck the water from under your boat then throw it back at you. love your channel stay safe out there.

@jimmycline4778

11 ай бұрын

So you might outgrow a 19footer so move up to this little boat! ✅

Great video Mark! It was year ago that I decide that I wanted to fish in the shallower waters around Tiki Island. First thought was a kayak, then a micro skiff like yours. I own a 27' Worldcat to fish the jetties/offshore that I keep at the Yacht Basin but was finding that I was missing a tremendous amount fun in the shallow marshes. Bottom line is, i found a 1995, 16.5' Kenner hull and trailer for $2K. Pulled the old Johnson off and mounted a new 70hp Suzuki and a 80# 24v Minn Kota on the front. Now i'm just waiting for it to warm up a little and I Hope to see you out there.

I have a Gen II Hskiff and I’ve experienced the same issues with my feet and gear drowning before I bought plugs for those drains. Definitely built for one especially when fishing, two person for a joy ride with no gear.

Brother I love your reviews. You are just straight up and real both on the good and the bad even when I maybe your fault. Great video!

good info thx for the sincerity, lots of good boat companies local here in Texas incase you decide to go another route

I appreciate your honesty Mark

One of the reasons I subscribed to the channel was you were fishing from a kayak. Before you fished alone most of the time. So I could relate with experiences fishing alone. But when you got more viewers your son wanted to fish so you needed a bigger platform to take your son with you. I do t blame you father son is a blessing to have. But when you started it was a simple kayak.

Hi Mark. I’ve been a subscriber for a while now, and have really enjoyed your channel. I’ve fished much of my life in the Galveston bay complex: wading and bay boat fishing mostly. You’re a large part of the reason I’m now transitioning to a kayak - the Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL. I confess I was a little confused when your H Skiff appeared, and I hope you continue to kayak fish, and stick with lighter tackle to some degree. I was tempted for a moment or two to go the micro skiff route as I began looking at kayaks and skiffs; trying to make a decision as to what I would most enjoy, but in the end the peaceful, quiet, close to nature, “eyeball to eyeball” with the fish aspects of kayak fishing won out for me.

@kencleg7721

Жыл бұрын

Great one man rig Problem solved

Have always loved your honesty when it comes to reviews great job and stay real

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Tim, just trying to help others out who are considering getting something similar.

Very true. If I were going to do all that to a vessel, it would most certainly be a bigger one than that. I may still get a micro skiff for just hitting different spot quickly. But more for live bait, like hopping out of the boat leaving the boat still.

Well you answered a lot of floatability questions I had. Its funny I always watch the people driving these skiffs whether it be small ones like this or bigger skiffs, they always have the token skinny guy or young adult dancing all over the rig. In reality lets see the bigger adult sized guy move around these rigs and see how it reacts then haha... Good video Mark

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏

Setting out your motor on a jack plate will only give you good benefits

You can get bye those big tanker waves without going over them. From behind you up behind until you get to the swells than turn out 45 degrees and run between them and you will run out of them. If there coming at you run as far out to the side as far as you can and when you get to the swells turn around and run the trough toward the back of the ship. That way you never have to go over the real monsters. They get some really big ships on the St Lawrence Seaway and I’ve used this trick a lot!

Hobie pro angler 14 with a trolling motor and trailer and you come out ahead still with a lot of money in your product and a lot less headaches

Hi. I enjoyed the video. Thanks for the advice. How are you feeling about the boat now after a year?

I run a tracker grizzly 1648 mvx with a jack plate/hydrofoil in south Texas and can get pretty skinny, might be worth a look. Also cougar marine in San Benito, TX makes a 17ft skiff with a 60hp around 26-29k

We all learn some hard lessons along the way. The ONLY advantages this skiff has as a fishing platform over the AutoPilot are speed and range. And it has a big disadvantage: outboard fuel costs & maintenance. Perhaps of minor concern is the time spent transitioning from running-to-the-spot to actually fishing-the-spot..........shutdown the outboard, tilt it up, deploy the trolling motor, etc. This, as you know, is not an issue at all on the AP. Being that you are a marsh man I really don't see speed and range as much of an advantage since the AP can be launched at countless marshes in the Galveston bay complex. I did look at this type of craft earlier this year when I determined to get into the marshes, but upon considerable pondering the disadvantages outweighed the advantages for my use. Good on you for exposing the weaknesses of this platform..........maybe you'll save someone else from a bit of buyers remorse.

Sounds like its time to go all tiny boat nation. 14 foot jon boat with a fishing deck sounds about right.

When you were adding up all the weight....you didn’t even mention the weight of the outboard motor? I heard you say 30 lbs for the Minkota. Or did I miss the outboard somehow? Have to believe the weight of the outboard also contributes to your weight limit, no?

@Beerbatter1962

2 ай бұрын

No. The manufactures max weight limit is specified for the rigged boat with the recommended hp, which includes the outboard motor.

I never understood the design of this boat, it almost like paddle board not a poling skiff. They dont even list the draft on their site. From where you showed the water line being that thing probably draft like 10 inches of water, for around the same money a skimmer skiff or something similar is small enough to get anywhere you would want to go and drafts way less water. The whole point of these micro skiffs it to get shallow and fish technically.

My first impression of the design, was that is looked skinny, small channel between the console and the gunnels. Making it a little wider like 6 inches on each side would probably help a lot.

I'm surprised they made that vessel self bailing. It's almost I'm possible to stay within capacity with small boats. Seal scuppers and add automatic bilge pump.

Sell it get a solo skiff it will do everything that thing can and then some. Getting another boat that's another 18. 20 thousand headache plus it won't get into skinny water like u normally get into I had a 21 ft sea hunt and never used it that was 40 grand that just sat in the drive way sold it and got a solo skiff now I'm all over the place light and can get into everywhere but we learn as we go buddy nice video. Thanks for sharing keep em coming!! Happy new year

Amazing the low weight capacity

For the rods, put some hobie rails on the side and lay them in the rod rack hobie makes

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

I’m doing my best to come up with solutions that don’t require me to drill holes. I still need to put the TM battery below deck and can’t bring myself to put that wire through the bow 🤢

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

When we gonna take the skiffs out bro?!

@OffdayTherapy

3 жыл бұрын

@@texascoastalliving soon. Had the flu this week. I normally put a transom mount trolling motor on in this weather though. Outboard can be a wet ride depending on wind. Too cold to get wet lol. You might have to go half throttle. I go 12mph

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

👍

Gr8 info video. I thot about putting a 15 hp on my Gheenoe NMZ, think I'll stick with the 9.9. If ya got it ur gonna use it, 🤪

honest facts always great

Cool, I didn't know you had this channel too Mark!

Try putting a foam boat collar on either side of the to solve stability issues

Instead of jack plate get a custom made motor mount that will mount motor 2"higher kinda like you could do with manual jack plate.

interesting review..... first off, I own a Topwater 120 pedal drive, which I love when used in the manner intended for such a craft.....but as you stated in a past video when you got the skiff, the problem with kayaks is EFFORT (PADDLING,PEDALING) VS TIME VS DISTANCE..... The advantages of the kayak in the skinny water at the LOCATION is muted by the fore mentioned effort.....in a kayak a multi mile trip is a test of endurance....which drives the BOAT purchase question.....so many spots are great in a yak BUT FAR TOO MANY are out of reach of a yak.....I guess it is the Kayak owners CONUNDRUM... WE LIKE OUR SOLITUDE, SMALL FOOTPRINT, EASE OF OPERATION, BUT, DARNIT ..... I WANT TO FISH OVER YONDER....WAY OVER YONDER.....and my tired pedaling legs can't get me there.....

@daviddura1172

3 жыл бұрын

and your skiff is beautiful btw, but being a former 4 time boat owner I'd need a steering wheel, and maybe 15--16 feet. I'm amazed at 100 + hp motors can be TILLER DRIVE on some of those big swamp boats.....these old arms couldn't do it.....lol love this page and the discussions it produces......

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

I just want to let it be known that I also have issues with the skiffs limitations. There really isn’t a one stop shop fishing platform. 😂

Good review, thanks!

Happy kids happy dad u know brother🙈🙏

What the heck Mark? How you just going to start an entire second channel and not tell anyone? 😂😂 I just so happen to come across this video from my recommended page and thought somebody was stealing your content. why does the audio get muffled every time you turned towards the skiff? Do you have a media mod on there? if so, make sure you don't have the settings for the front directional mic only, but for both front and back microphone.

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Didn’t even know that, thanks for the heads up. Yes it’s the media mod I’m using.

@dmarine0311

3 жыл бұрын

Wth! I didn’t know I was watching another channel. I thought it was his Mdlr one. 😂

Look into the beavertail mosquito... they are out of Florida looking to go get one soon

Sounds scary, but I’m happy i watched this video, the thing i have coming this week can go 27mph too and it is tiny i have to take it easy and slow down when i see boats passing by etc

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

I can’t wait to see your new platform in action.

What the heck... have a big dinner and you can't go out in the morning till after you poop. haha. Thanks Mark. I don't know why I'm happy that the skiff did not go as planned. I'm kind of surprised at that weight capacity. That's not that much more than the OldTown 120 AutoPilot. I did not realize you had 2 channels... I'm subscribed now Sir. The issue with not being able to raise the motor in skinny water is a big issue. I'm surprised no one warned you about that. you forgot to add, "and get a Honda motor". Thanks for the honest experience with the micro skiff. You certainly went at it full bore. Other than the Merc, it sounds like the micro skiff has limited use.Thanks Mark.

I kind of feel like the natural progression would be from a kayak to a jon boat or actual skiff not a micro. Especially when you are running an Autopilot powered kayak. The micro skiffs are little more than a glorified kayak with a gas engine. I always enjoy the fact you are so honest in your videos and it is why I am a loyal subscriber to the MDLR channel. Keep up the great work.

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

I’m trying to save to get there. Thanks for supporting me on both channels.

It looks like a lot of work more than fishing

Good video..thanks u

Great information 😎👍

@texascoastalliving

Жыл бұрын

Thanks 👍

I wonder how this skiff would be in Louisiana rivers and marshes

Gheenoe

Two words...Pro-Drive.

Check out the Savanna, man. 1 foot bigger and won't have any of those issues. I just posted a video on my channel yesterday. We fish two grown adult men on them all the time, and pole with zero issues.

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Watching now. Thanks 👍

The quality has been insane in the videos

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Hopefully that’s a good thing. 😂

Time to buy a boat ! ALUMINUM / FIBERGLASS . You can do it

Good morning Mark, first and foremost...Semper Fi brother. Second, I'm looking at solo skiff type boats for one person and one person only. I have no plans to take someone else out on my skiff so wanted some honest feedback on how you currently feel about the H-Skiff for one person. Let me know and if you want to text or email we can also do that.

@texascoastalliving

Жыл бұрын

It’s a great one person craft but doesn’t do well in shallow waters.

I don't know the area you fish but the wet standing water issue is you're over the weight limit and I thought the max engine for this is 15 hp? So are you even farther overweight than you thought? Stuffing your hull in barge wakes is just knowing your boat. Get a 3 rod trident, rod holder, rocket launcher for your rod problem. You can grab the trident and stuff it off the rear launcher to get it out of the way. The sketchy boat roll is again weight overload issue. If you have more than one child you're going to need to get a boat. Great video.

for the price and always wanting to fish 2 grown ass men you should've def got a full sized flats boat...

I subscribe to this channel too, helping you get closer to that shoalwater

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks 🙏

PERAHUNYA BAGUS SENIOR SALAM DARI INDONESIA

It's good looking but wow it's way to expansive way to much money, I can get a used bout with biger motor n the vessel its self for 3rd of it sure it be used but it be great vessel.

lost about 22 pounds over the last year... maybe give it a shot :P

That's a easy fix lose some weight actually is not that easy I've been trying to lose weight since I turn 40

Love your stuff bro really don’t mean to be rude at all so don’t take this the wrong way, but I do feel like you should have mentioned how much your son weighs again not to be rude, but he’s a big boy, and probably a bit larger than your typical anglerso I just feel like you may have thrown that in there just so people know that he’s not just like a little boy so don’t get the wrong expectation

Its a boat for one person no doubt it wont work for you if you are trying to make it work for two. It is a nano boat.....

This thing is way to small,,,,you can get a 200hp nice used bass boat for cheaper! It’s the size of a large surf board!

with peace and love bro. Your son needs to lose about 100lbs

Why use trolling motor when it's obviously overweight for boat?😮

@texascoastalliving

Жыл бұрын

To control the skiff

So.... it's not for a KZreadr,,, but makes a great fishing vessel 🤭

@texascoastalliving

2 жыл бұрын

It’s not designed to go shallow. The outboard is fixed and requires 12” of clearance. It doesn’t pole straight.

Hows it going. Would it be possible to get in contact with you directly. I'd like to pick your brain up about microkifs and I have something in the works that I believe you might be interested in.

I bought old 300 dollar trihull put 40hp Honda brand new can go anywhere and skinny

Father in law has a 21' Shoalwater cat. It's awesome and would be an excellent choice. A 19' is a tad too small to fish 3 people comfortably. Not saying it can't be done, but if you're going to do it every now and then, it would be fine. We fish 3 people in the 21' and it's just right. The 21 will do pretty much everything the 19 will do. I think they make a 20' now too. I enjoy this new side of MDLR.

@gonzo6832

2 жыл бұрын

The 19 ft is perfect me me and my son.. Fantastic boat

wroñg whaler 13 wher 17

I've never owned a boat/skiff and I will never own a boat/skiff. With that said, what's the point of having a trolling motor on a poling skiff. Kind of defeats the purpose in my opinion. I've been on them plenty of times. Way bigger and have been polled around in inches. Seems like your weight issues is the trolling motor. Do you just not want to poll around? Not trying to sound rude by any means, just trying to figure out the logic is all. If your worried about constantly having to pole and not fish, should have gone with a boat then. It's a nice rig for sure though.

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

If you want to understand you need to buy a boat/skiff.

@txtoyota4

3 жыл бұрын

you don’t know how useful a trolling motor is until you actually have a boat fishing where he fishes. period end of story

@philguerrero4380

3 жыл бұрын

@@txtoyota4 haha... dude you have no idea how many times I've operated a trolling motor on a john boat, pushed a skiff around with a push pole or dragged my kayak in mud in very similar if not the same area he's in. So no, its not the end of story.

😂😂😂😂😂 i remember about a month ago on your main channel we had a discussion about this VERY topic. My points made were more or less was you’ve spent somewhere in the range of $5,000-7,000 for basically a plastic jon boat. I also said you should have just bit the bullet saved or financed $5,000-ish for a descent full size and full scale used boat or save thousands by just getting a jon boat and slap a coat of paint on it. You really tried to argue “just watch the channel and you’ll see!” LMAOOOO

@moblack5883

3 жыл бұрын

This video has cemented my thoughts about buying a jon boat.

@ytho95

3 жыл бұрын

@@moblack5883 same. I have a job boat, and a mako pro skiff 17. I hardly use the job boat now but, I got it after high school to tide me over a few years until I could afford a the boat I have now. Trust me man, you won’t regret it, throw that thing on some saw horses, slap some primer and marine paint (inside and out for corrosion protection if in saltwater) get a small out board, a trailer and an alright trolling motor. I also put a casting deck on my jon boat made out of plywood, and put out for carpeting on it so I have a nice base and put a bow mount trolling motor. All in all, you don’t have to do a deck or anything but, you can get a nice, simple rig for about $2,500 brand new, but you can go the used route like I did, buy one used and get it for around $1,500, with everything maybe need a coat of paint if you’re going in saltwater. Really you can just wash it every time you get home and you’ll be fine. The paint would be extremely protection

Nooo say it ain’t so? I was wondering if you were going to do away with kayak fishing completely...that’s the whole reason I subscribed... don’t get me wrong brother... you do you. Why leave though what got you to this point. It if little consequence to you I know.. since you’ve got tons of other subscribers... I’m out though... be easy my dude. ✌️

Yo this shit is made in the middle east. I wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

So you go over the weight limit and you use it for what it's not intended for? Then you have an issue that it doesn't Perform up to standards. SMH

@danielgarcia7447

3 жыл бұрын

This comment is sooooo true! 👍🏼

You trying to do to much with too little. You chose the wrong trolling motor, It’s a better solo type skiff ,than family craft. Take the trolling motor off . Pole from the platform if fishing two angler’s, if fishing solo get stand up paddle and fish from the center of the craft. Trolling motors do not work well in that shallow of water. They scare more fish than you know.

SOLO means 1 person... pretty simple, Einstein...

@tidaltales

2 жыл бұрын

This is not a solo skiff!

not worth the price huh? you were better off on the old town and your boy in the hobie

@texascoastalliving

3 жыл бұрын

Nah, I love this skiff.

Tired of the flossin.....changing to real fishing channel.

Waste of money!!

Give it to me ungrateful much?