Skiffs are small, simple, easy to afford, and easy to maintain, which makes them a top option for many people — especially those looking for small fishing boats. But the term “skiff” is a catchall phrase used to describe a wide range of different types of small, open boats. So how can we narrow down such a massive field? Most boats over 22 feet that might qualify as skiffs can also be categorized differently in one way or another, so that will be our cutoff for length. The majority of the aluminum boats in this class could also be considered Jon boats, so the skiffs we’ll consider here will be fiberglass. And since simplicity is a key attribute, any boat with more than one or two complexity-adding features like freshwater systems or electrically actuated seats gets the nix. Using these parameters, the 10 top skiff boat brands that grab our attention include:









Bonita Boats





The Bonita Boats Shark Bait is a classic skiff. Photo via Bonita Boats.




Bonita Boats builds a 14-footer called the Shark Bait that’s a classic V-bottom fiberglass skiff. It’s a tiller-steered boat with a bench seat aft, cleats, and a bilge pump. If you want to get really fancy you can add an enclosed bow with stowage below and a bow cushion, and/or a console and a steering wheel. Bonita’s 17’ Little Snapper also makes the grade, though it is a bit more complex and has one added system in the form of a seven-gallon lighted livewell and a standard stereo system. The boat can also be rigged out for serious flats fishing (with goodies like a poling platform, electric bow-mount trolling motor, onboard battery chargers, and more), but at that point it turns into more of a dedicated flats boat (also called flats skiffs) than a “regular” skiff.





See Bonita Boats for sale on boats.com.





Boston Whaler





This Boston Whaler Super Sport 13 is a premium choice in the skiff world. Photo via Boston Whaler.




While Boston Whaler represents one of the priciest choices in the world of skiffs, their Super Sport and Montauk lines (ranging from 13’ to 21’) do slot into the skiff boats category. All of these models have two things that set them apart from the crowd: resale value and construction. Sure, you may pay a lot for a Boston Whaler up front. But you’ll recoup a far higher percentage of that purchase price when you sell the boat, because used Whalers are always in high demand. And as for how they’re built, surely you’ve already heard that the fiberglass-foam-fiberglass construction method used by this brand results in an unsinkable boat.





See Boston Whaler skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Carolina Skiff





Carolina Skiff "kit" models allow you to build the boat out however you'd like. Photo via Carolina Skiff.




Carolina Skiff has a wide-ranging lineup that includes many boats which wouldn’t make our list due to size and complexity, however, an even dozen in the line from 16’ to 21’ fit the bill. Of particular interest to skiff lovers will be the new E-series, which includes the 21 DLX “Kit” boat. This is essentially a bare hull, to which you can add decks or a console if you’d like. Or you can just get the hull and the hull alone, and make the boat into whatever form you’d prefer.





See Carolina Skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Coastal Skiffs





Coastal Skiffs will be a top choice for anglers. Photo via Coastal Skiffs.




Four Sons Marine builds a line of skiffs and flats skiffs which are simple in nature and are built in the rolled-edge style. This helps reduce both cost and weight, and while some builders using this method depend on plywood parts (subject to rot), Coastal Skiffs are all-composite. Several also feature tunnel hulls for minimal draft and even the smallest, a 17-footer, is self-bailing.





See Coastal Skiff boats for sale on boats.com.





Edgewater Boats





Another premium brand of the skiff world is Edgewater. Photo via Edgewater Boats.




Edgewater is a high-end builder which many people will be surprised to see on this list. And while their prices will be decidedly un-skiff-like, their 158 CS and 170 CC Heritage models fit our parameters. The highlight here is how the Edgewaters are built, with a closed-molded vacuum resin infusion process that combines foam-cored composite stringers, fiberglass, and vinylester resins into a single structural piece that’s unsinkable and up to three times stronger than an old-school open-molded boat. They’re also a lot more comfortable than the average skiff, with integrated seats, drink holders, cushions, and integrated drink coolers.





See Edgewater boats for sale on boats.com.





Hewes





The Hewes name is synonymous with flats boats. Photo via Hewes.




The Hewes Redfisher 16 and Redfisher 18 are dedicated flats boats. They’re also exceptionally nice for skiffs and if you load them up with options, may creep outside of the definition we’ve staked out. The stock boats will still make it, however, and will make it in fine form for anglers interested in stalking the flats for bonefish, permit, and tarpon. They’ll also out-perform the average skiff, with cruising speeds in the 30s and top-ends in the mid-40s. You’ll have to be prepared to spend significantly more than the average skiff of the same size would cost, but for flats fishermen this one will be tough to beat.





See Hewes skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Kencraft





Kencraft Bay Rider skiffs are known for being built tough. Photo via Kencraft.




This North Carolina builder has a couple of skiffs in their Bay Rider line which are more substantial than most and will often be rigged with T-tops and leaning posts, but otherwise remain fairly simple in nature. What’s surprising is that those T-tops are fabricated in-house by Kencraft, sticking with their stronger-is-better philosophy. That attitude is also demonstrated with hulls supported by four stringers and three ribs, Penske Board transoms, and 316-grade stainless-steel fasteners and fittings. Note that Kencraft backs their boats up with a 10-year transferrable hull warranty, a rarity among skiffs.





See Kencraft skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Mako Boats





Mako's Pro Skiff line is exceptionally popular in the world of skiffs. Photo via Mako Boats.




You’ll be hard-pressed to find a roundup of the best skiff boats around without seeing Mako in the running. Their Pro Skiff series includes 13’, 15’, 17’, and 19’ models, all of which carry Mako’s “Inverted-V” hull. This is a unique mix between semi-V, powercat, and tunnel hull designs, providing maximum stability while still being able to handle running through a chop. Another leg up Mako Pro Skiffs have over most competitors is cost, which is lower than expected and advertised with Mako’s “no haggle no hassle” pricing.





See Mako skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Panga Boats





Pangas are a unique subcategory among all the skiffs out there. Photo via Banks Panga.




A “panga” is a specific type of skiff with a narrow beam, upswept bow, and open interior, developed for small-scale commercial fishing in the developing world. Today the name is used by Banks Panga which makes 22’ skiffs (as well as larger models that exceed our stated size range). These are known for having a smooth, dry ride through rough seas and for efficiently planning on a keel pad that tapers moving forward. Thanks to the narrow (6’5”) beam design they require significantly less power than many boats of similar length and the 22 can cruise in the mid-20s with 115 hp while getting an eye-opening 6.9 mpg.





See Panga skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Sundance





Sundance skiffs feature a fit and finish a grade above the norm for skiff boats. Photo via Sundance.




The line of four boats in 20’ and 22’ lengths from Sundance are all skiffs, though they’re finished and equipped better than most. CCR models are simpler and have a painted deck, while the DX line has a fully finished deck liner and more creature comforts like cup holders and integrated jump seats. In both cases the Sundance boats have a well-deserved reputation for being solidly built, no-nonsense skiffs that sit high in the pecking order among skiff boat brands.





See Sundance skiffs for sale on boats.com.





Bonus Skiff: The Veer





Veer is among the newest brands in the skiff market, and they make a splash with their polyethylene V13. Photo via Veer.




The Veer falls outside of our requirements since it's built out of polyethylene rather than fiberglass. Still, it warrants a mention among the best skiff brands because it’s heftier and more stable than aluminum, incredibly easy to afford, and otherwise fits the definition of a skiff to a tee. The Veer is a 13’ two-person boat with a bench seat, forward casting deck, and stowage compartments. It can be rigged with either a gasoline outboard to 9.9 hp or with a Mercury Avator electric outboard. And critically, these boats are virtually maintenance-free.





See Veer skiffs for sale on boats.com.





As one can easily see from this roundup, there’s a huge amount of choice in the skiff world. But whichever of these boat brands might prove best for your needs, these are all relatively simple, straightforward boats which will be easy to handle, easy to maintain, and in most cases easier to afford than other types of boats. For someone who wants to enjoy an afternoon of fishing or just go kicking around on the bay with minimal hassles and effort, a skiff boat will be tough to beat.





See all the skiffs for sale on boats.com.


Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.