The Ultimate Shallow Water Micro Skiff Custom Build
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
- Found In: Boating, Fishing Tips, Weekly Newsletter: 8-04-24
We’ve had a number of questions about the vessel I’ve been fishing out of when I’m not in my kayak. So, in this video, I’m going to show you how I built out the ultimate skinny water custom micro skiff for the way I fish in the Indian River area.
I turned to the good folks at SUP Customs for my build. They have everything you need from the base paddle board to purpose-built mounts and accessories to get you on the water. With engines, trolling motors, batteries, and more available, your skiff can be water-ready the day you pick it up.
The even better news for Salt Strong Members is that you can save significant money on your own build. Check out the Group Discounts page for more details.
Ultimate Skinny Water Custom Micro Skiff Walk-Through Video
- 0:00 Introduction
- 0:34 Trolling Motor
- 0:59 Micro Skiff Must-Have Accessories
- 1:51 Outboard
- 2:26 Micro Skiff Shallow Water Anchor Selection
- 2:49 USCG Compliant Lighting
- 3:15 Filling the Gap Between Kayaks and Skiffs
- 3:59 How Fast Will this Micro Skiff Go?
- 4:38 Other Considerations
Coach Pat’s SUP Customs Micro Skiff Build
Basics
- Base Vessel: Live Watersports L4Expedition
- Length: 14 feet
- Capacity: 700 pounds
- Outboard: Suzuki 6 HP four stroke
- Trolling Motor: 55-pound thrust
- Battery: Dakota Lithium 54Ah
- Shallow Water Anchor: Power Pole Micro
- USCG Lighting: Guardian Angel Kayak Light Kit
- Top Speed: 16 MPH (depends on the load)
Key Accessories
- Trolling motor mounting plate
- Outboard mounting plate
- Rod holders
- Push pole
- 65-quart Engel cooler
- 2 x 1500mL spare fuel cans
- Tiller extension
Conclusion
Filling the gap between a kayak and a traditional micro skiff, an SUP Customs micro skiff has a number of advantages. The most obvious are that you can fish super-skinny and access the same areas as a kayak while traveling far faster with much less effort.
It’s also a much more affordable build than other small boats, doesn’t require a trailer, stores more easily in your garage, is incredibly fuel efficient, can fish multiple days on a single battery charge, and is highly customizable.
There are some limitations, though. This kind of boat isn’t great in a chop, it can only fish one person, and storage is limited. It’s a significant step up from a kayak, though.
If you want more than a kayak can offer without moving all the way to a traditional skiff, I highly recommend giving Austin and David at SUP Customs a call to build your own ultimate skinny water micro skiff!
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I responded to this thread with a long post on the pros and cons yesterday but it says “pending approval” still while other posts after that have shown u
We got it taken care of. Thanks for leaving the post, very helpful!
I tried out a LIVE a few years ago and was surprised how stable it is! Pat that plan looks terrific. Does the powerpole get in the way of steering while traveling? How shallow can you go with your full load? Thanks Pat… tight lines
Thanks Bob! The PP does limit some of the movement but not enough for me to worry about. You can always take the pole out of the motor and lay it flat to be out of the way.
I can get probably 4-6 inches with a full load and run the trolling motor in about a foot.
Having run this rig for 2.5 years, I will give you my .02 on this.
As Pat mentioned it is not for everyone. I created two FB groups specifically for this board (LIVE Watersports SUP Mods & LIVE Watersports SUP – Buy, Sell or Trade) and I see mixed reviews on the efficacy of this as a micro-skiff. Like all things on social media, take what you see with a grain of salt.
My recommendation is to buy used and figure out what you like or don’t like before dropping 6-10k. Folks are buying these and figuring out pretty quick it won’t work for them and then dropping them for a 1/3 to 1/2 less than they paid for it.
Don’t get me wrong, fishing the skinny water is amazing when you can literally drift right over them. I caught one less than 2’ off my board just by dropping the fly right on top of him. However, given options I would keep it as a paddleboard or use just a trolling motor.
PROS:
CONS:
So why did I purchase? I found a deal on a used one that I could afford and I could not afford a skiff at the time. I also had no place to store it except on the roof of my garage at the time. It fit my needs and got me off the shoreline
I am in the build queue now for a SaltMarsh Savanna which seems to be the next logical upgrade so it will be interesting to compare side-by-side.
Hope this helps someone.
Thank you so much for sharing this! Great intel!
That seems like it’s well thought out
Thanks Philip! Always a work in progress!
Nice Set Up, Pat!😎
SO, ¿Do you still have and use the Hobie?🤔
Thanks Neal! Yes I do, I use them for different purposes. Quick trips I take the kayak, longer trips I’ll take this board.
Having that choice is a nice addition, I’m sure! Isn’t it great having that extended range now!?! I have been loving the NK-180 on my yak!
Having a trolling motor is great! Now I can run down a flat or shore line and fish without worrying about pushing or paddling.
For those asking about price, I just went to the website and built one out that appears to mirror Pat’s rig. The tab came to $10,950… Juuuuuuuust a bit steep for what you’re getting IMHO. Side note: This did not include the cooler….
It’s a bit pricey, true but you can save some money by scaling back. The Micro Power Pole and the Lithium battery are not mandatory but will cut about $2k off the price. Considering a Hobie without accessories is 4-5K plus and then having to outfit it, this isn’t that far off.
Nice rig Pat!
Thanks Darcy!
No thanks while I’m not looking for a fishing skiff because I LOVE my 17 ft jv 17 carolina skiff I would never buy something with such short tunnels such as the one that your showing to many nutjobs that love to go full speed and some of those boats are very large this throwing huge wakes one that would very easily tip that skiff over then what probably loose all your exspensive tackle well I have alot invested in my sport and don’t plan on loosing any on acct of a stupid inconsiderate boater or angler that swamps me I have come very close to it in my boat let alone that small thing and I can get very shallow in it good enough for me something like that would be ideal in guana but not in the icw or the st johns where I sometimes fish besides I also know the river and icw can get pretty rough on a moments notice and that boat or whatever wouldn’t stand a chance anyways just saying I love what I have and take care of it so I know I’ll have it for many years to come thanks for the review and all you do🤔
Once you get up i the creeks your fine. But yes, in the ICW big wakes can be tough. As long as you keep the deck tidy and your gear in your cooler its ok. I’ve been hit with a few 3 foot high wake and you can stay upright. You’ll get wet and wash will go over the deck. But it is very stable. But if you don’t need the portability of roof top vessel, I’d look at Small skiff or Gheenoe. To me this beats a Kayak, but in no way matches anything you need a trailer for.
Like I said I love my carolina skiff jv17 it’s now 11 years old going on 12 but does not look it or perform like it because I take care of it and it has plenty of storage throughout so I don’t have to make preparations or comramises like you do with that outfit and I can get there plenty fast with my little 40 four stroke yamaha that sips gas but thats me if you like taking chances and compromises then that boat is for you but not me
It’s not for everyone for sure but I’ll take this anywhere I would take a kayak with the addition of extra range. I would love to have a boat, something like you have is great. My dream boat is the one Salt Strong Alliance is giving away. The problem is none of them will fit in my garage so this is my best option.
Well believe it or not pat my 17 ft carolina skiff fits perfectly in the garage I had to angle it a little but no worries so when it’s raining or storming outside I still have plenty of room to work on the boat and my gear like cleaning or changing leaders or whatever I want and if I had one of those swing tongues that turn to the side with just a pull on a release lever I’m sure I could get even more room buy I only have the standard tongue anyways just saying different strokes for well you know thanks for the reply and all you do
How do you store it in the garage? I am considering one and wondering if I could elevate it to the ceiling with some straps/pulleys. I will probably never have a boat, but this seems to enable some great options.
John, I store mine on the cart I move it around on but you definitely can hang it from the ceiling. The guys at SUPCustoms have been working on a solution for that and I’ve seen videos where the ceiling mount is doable.
You like this setup better than a Gheenoe?
I have one of these. I have a newport electric motor on it though. I can only go about 5.5 MPH. I got this because I can toss it up on the roof my Bronco when I tow that with my RV and take it with me. The hull weighs about 65 lbs. But loaded down it’s heavy and hard to get around on kayak wheels. Sure you could get a trailer for it. But to me if you do get a trailer, why not just get the Gheenoe.
For me the portability on my “toad” vehicle was important. but I’d much rather fish from the Gheenoe.
It’s really two different vessels and it comes down to portability. Gheenoes are great, love the LT25, but it won’t fit in my garage. This is great compromise from kayak to skiff.
How much does it cost?
Depends on how you spec it out. The base board is about 2500 and the plates are another 1k. After that its all about the main engine and if you want a trolling motor.