Stealth and stability in skinny water were Jody Moore's conerns.

What can you do with a flats skiff? These days it’s harder to answer the question, what can’t you do with one? When Florida Sportsman began chronicling the development of shallow-water outboard boats in the early 1970s, there were only a handful that qualified.

Today there are dozens and dozens of builders, with skiffs out there in every imaginable configuration. Some owners like to keep theirs simple, for fly fishing in extreme shallows, for instance. Others like to outfit their boats with bluewater-grade electronics, big livewells and lots of rodholders. Some prefer boats that skim across moist seagrass with the slightest push of a pole. Others want a big outboard and big-seas comfort.

These two Dreamboats, viewed together, exemplify the spectrum of boat configurations and rigging options available.

Totally Tricked Out

Bob and Patty Markland had a tough decision to make when planning the purchase of their latest fishing boat, Good Vibrations. Fanatic anglers, both enjoy fishing their Atlantic home waters near Miami, but don’t mind trailering the boat down the state a few hours to the Everglades National Park at Flamingo to fish. They are as comfortable trolling offshore in 200 feet of water as they are poling the shallow flats near the islands of Florida Bay, and needed the appropriate vessel. Safety, comfort and fishabililty were the obvious concerns for them as they began their search for their dream boat, but versatility was the number one issue.

“Totally tricked out” best describes the Markland’s boat. This is not an inshore-only boat fully rigged, but a boat rigged to its fullest capabilites for almost any fishing situation.

The Marklands started with a 20-foot Young skiff built in Inglis, just north of Crystal River, on Florida’s west coast. It’s larger and heavier than some might prefer for true shallow-water applications, but that’s not the point. The Marklands wanted safety and seaworthiness offshore, as well as shallow draft for inshore fishing. They made almost-weekly 350-mile trips to the shop during the boat’s construction to oversee the progress.

Bob and Patty wanted lots of options. Taking the basic hull, they had it customized to their specifications. They didn’t have to look much farther than the factory, which was happy to install many items.

Aerator controls deliver oxygen to bait and release wells.

Powered by a 300-horsepower, high-pressure direct injection, two-stroke outboard, Good Vibrations has the ability to bully moderately heavy offshore seas or race home across the flats ahead of thunderstorms at speeds in excess of 50 mph. The Marklands made no compromises as to power, realizing that the weight of the 300 was about the same as the 225 they had originally planned to hang on the stern. A jack plate, poling platform and Power Pole unit round out the inshore performance accessories, while dual, aerated livewells and lots of rod holders make the boat a great platform for kite-fishing or trolling live baits offshore.

Other accessories make the boat “just plain nice and handy,” as Bob puts it. A filler system for the oil reservoir, 18-gallon freshwater washdown system, dipnet holders mounted under the livewell covers, and a nice fabric pouch for leader and lure storage behind the seat back all help make Good Vibrations a highly efficient fishing rig. Rounding out the list of goodies are a couple of definite luxuries—a CD changer system for Patty and a Mantis umbrella for Bob.

Outfitting a 20-footer as completely as Good Vibrations might seem frivilous or excessive for some anglers. However, Bob and Patty Markland have taken a very versatile hull design, worked with the builder to make it both inshore and offshore friendly, and created a true crossover boat, capable of fishing big water, skinny water and everything in-between.

Keep on Poling

Jody Moore is a frequent contributor to Florida Sportsman magazine. From his home in Broward County, he trailers his skiff regularly to Flamingo, fishing the wilderness waters of Everglades National Park.

For 17 years, his 15-foot Challenger Perfection was a familiar sight at the park boat ramp. The Challenger, long out of production, was originally built as a ski boat and later modified in the 1950s for flats guides in the Keys.