Well I have been thinking about picking up some sort of all around boat that will be soley for fly flinging. I've looked at poling skiffs, aluminum boats, carolina skiffs, etc and I just don't know which way I want to go. I was hoping some of y'all wouldn't mind posting some pics of your boats and what you do and don't like about them. I want to be able to run it in the bay/marsh system but also be able to run around in the lake on camping trips. Not worried about being a speed demon.

What I'm looking for in a boat:
-enough space for 2 grown men to fish, but small enough to handle by myself
-outboard and trolling motor capable
-able to pole
-affordable (would like to spend less than $10K, or if my wife is asking less than $5K....)

I like your parameters for what you're looking for. I've looked far and wide for the perfect boat, which would ultimately be an aluminum copy of a fiberglass technical poling skiff (for me), but there are a couple of wild cards -
1 - Grumman Sport Canoe --- the older ones are much better though. Have seen one close up and they are smart looking.
2 - Hog Island Skiff

Bass Bug, that's a nice boat. How shallow will it draft?

texasflycaster, I agree with you on the aluminum copy of a poling skiff, I think it would be awesome. This guy is in my neck of the woods and makes excellent boats, but still not quite a poling skiff.

www.boatrightmarine.com

I like those two links as well. Have you checked out the pelican flats boats Ambush? Other than the fact I can't take 2 ppl, it's pretty sweet.

I don't have a picture handy and my dog is pretty much blocking the one I posted recently, but my boat is PERFECT. It doesn't meet your criteria because it can't be poled, but you can't pole boat on Texoma much anyway so that one is not important to me. However it is paid off, so nothing else really matters.

For me, the top priority item when buying a boat is to AVOID box channel trailers like the PLAGUE!!!!!

They rust from the inside out and it will royally piss you off when it happens.

I stumbled on the wigeon duck boat. Website won't work on my phone but take a look on google. You can get them without the molded in pedestal seats. And they are pretty affordable.

RexW I hear ya on the paid off part! I plan to pay cash and not finance. My dad has a shoalwater 19 CAT, but it's just not ideal for fly fishing, he only fishes conventional. It's super nice though.

And we've always used McClain trailers, never had any problems and my grandfather knows the owner from way back.

website for the wigeon duck boat (won't work on my iPhone or iPad FYI):

http://www.thewigeonduckboat.com

Think it might make a killer little boat. Yeti for a seat/poling platform and a tiller handle 9.9 or something.

I like the Hog Island SW 16 skiff, Towee boats, and Gheenoes for a light motorized fly-fishing boat for 1-2 anglers. The Hog Island will probably be the next motorized boat I buy. There are plenty of reasons why:

1. USCG approved hull (unsinkable).
2. Only needs a 20-30 hp motor (can take up to a 35 or 40).
3. Extremely shallow draft w/motor, 2 anglers, and gear.
4. Very stable and very seaworthy.
5. Hull repairs are CHEAP and easy.
6. Modular accessory system offers a lot of adaptability for different uses and situations.
7. Affordability.

I've looked at the Towee and for awhile I was dead set on a Gheenoe, but for what it is it seems pricey. My wife will fish with me a few times a year, and probably a buddy a few more but I will be out solo the majority of the time. I just want something I'd be able to pole around in the marsh, and I'm not sure if the Hog Island will pole all that well.

I turned my duck boat with long shaft mud motor into my fly fishing/stump jumpin/duck boat. It is 16' x 48". Wider the better. I put a TM on last year. I added a casting deck to front deck (step ladder). I'd like to add a poling platform, but afraid it would add too much weight. Runs in inches of water. Can even jump small patches of land if I get enough speed. Climbed one waterfall (not big) years ago. Been a great boat.

I'm ready to get it on the coastal marshes!!

Gheenoes are definitely over-priced when you buy new, but there is a GOOD secondary market for them, especially in FL. The Towee boats are pretty. I have a soft spot for classic good looks in small boats, but it rarely makes my purchasing decisions. They're pretty pricey for what you get in my opinion.

The HI SW16 poles pretty well, but it would be more boat than I wanted for solo. That's why I am fishing from a Nucanoe Frontier 12 these days. GREAT solo fly fishing boat and will serve tandem duty in a pinch. They'll take a small outboard or big transom mount trolling motor. In a perfect world, I'd like to have it AND an SW16. Alas, my current financial resources won't allow for that.

I had a frontier 12 last year. Still too much of a kayak for me. And one that didn't paddle all that well at that, but a very stable platform for sure.

New whip:

Bryan G, that's a sweet ride. Make/model?

Thanks, it's a IPB 16. Just picked it up a couple of weekends ago. There is a lot I want to do to it, but who knows if I'll ever get to it.

Already claimed a few carp with it!

I started off wanting a small boat, but those gheenoes are so expensive. I think the IPB 14 may be a great size and price point. Oh well, I have plenty of room now!