The Bohemian begged to be run like a sports car and we happily obliged.
November 21, 2018
By Florida Sportsman Editor
For the second consecutive season, Bonefish Boats has delivered one of the most fun to run, cool looking little sport boats of the entire season of Best Boat. Long on looks and fun to drive will only get you so far building boats however, was the Bohemian 17 functional? You bet she was. Built around the premise of providing a high performance poling hull that will get you from A to B quickly and comfortably across open water yet still operate in stealth mode over the skinny water in a serious fishing setting. From a ride standpoint the Bohemian 17 hull is rather unique in the world of poling skiffs. Using a bit more deadrise than is commonly found on a skinny water skiff in conjunction with a single step bottom with a downturned chine offers a remarkably soft and dry ride from a hull that is expected to float in shallow water. I found the ride to be very sports car like and had a difficult time not wanting to push her to the limit as if I were a 16-year-old kid running a stolen hot rod. Sportiness aside could she offer these traits and still operate in stealth mode on the flats. Strangely enough, the Bohemian 17 transformed into a shallow draft machine seamlessly poling with the least effort imaginable in 6-inches of water, turning on a dime with minimal hull noise at every angle. Quite impressive for a boat nearly 18-feet in length indeed.
The Bohemian is sure to appeal to a very serious fisherman who likes to deploy every tool available for inshore fishing. Not strictly a poling skiff, this boat was rigged with a trolling motor as well and would easily accommodate a shallow water anchor pole. She also comes standard with a 20-gallon livewell under the aft center deck as well as an additional release well alongside this to starboard. A forward console seat features an insulated drink box which can also be plumbed as a well. The forward casting deck offers a single large storage compartment below with a shallow compartment on the lower forward deck for storing a cast net out of the way. For an inshore enthusiast who fishes lots of water covering many miles in a day and likes to be versatile in their approach using multiple techniques, you'd be hard pressed to find anything to complain about with this little skiff.
Bonefish Bohemian 17 Specifications
Length: 17 feet 9 inches
Beam: 6 feet
Draft: 6.5”
Transom height: 20 inches
Weight: 550 pounds
Maximum Horsepower: 115
Fuel: 25 gallons
Livewell(s) 20/20
Base price with 70 HP Yamaha and trailer: $47,000.00
A view from above reveals the little bit of water necessary to float the Bohemian 17.
The Bonefish signature styling and accents add a visual appeal that goes beyond the obvious functionality seen here.
Adding deadrise and a single step to the bottom is a departure from the typical flats skiff design but sure does ramp up the fun factor for the driver.
For a maximum stealth approach, this boat proved very quiet and a pleasure to pole.
Plenty of dry storage is available beneath the forward casting platform.
Under gunnel rod storage is trimmed out smartly in SeaDek to cushion reels.
A unique shape for flats consoles features a vertical against horizontal dash surface for combining electronics and gauges with cup holders and an included Fell Marine wireless kill switch.
A pair of live wells aft include a center located main well and starboard release well.
The Bohemian begged to be run like a sports car and we happily obliged.
The Bohemian begged to be run like a sports car and we happily obliged.
This forward console seat doubles as both a 3rd live well and an insulated drink cooler.
The addition of a trolling motor makes working deeper mangrove shorelines much more effective and quiet.
Although maximum horsepower rated for up to 115-HP, this 90-HP pushed the 17 along about as quickly as most people ever need to run.
