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Skiff Review

Editorial Rankings

Skiff Review Rankings

Our top skiffs in every shallow-water category — independently ranked by the SkiffReview team based on hands-on testing, owner feedback, and long-term performance. Updated regularly as new models come through our reviews.

Chittum skiff profile view
Top 5

Best Overall Skiff

Our highest-scoring technical skiffs across build, ride, and fishability.

  1. Chittum Islamorada 18
  2. Hell's Bay Professional 17.8
  3. Drake NV-SL
  4. Maverick 17 HPX-V II
  5. East Cape 18 EVO
East Cape skiff profile view
Top 5

Fastest 150hp Skiffs

Top-end speed, cross-bay efficiency, and the hulls that stay planted there.

  1. East Cape VHP – 62mph
  2. Maverick 18 HPX-V – 61.5mph
  3. Hell's Bay Marquesa – 59.5mph
  4. Beavertail Lightning – 58mph
  5. Dolphin 18 Back Country – 55mph
Value skiff profile view
Top 5

Best Value Skiffs

Real performance without the boutique-skiff price — dollar-for-dollar picks.

  1. Salt Marsh Heron 16 - $26,300
  2. Lancha 18 - $27,999
  3. Dragon Fly Emerger 16 - $26,499
  4. Skimmer 16 - $28,115
  5. Ankona Caicos - $25,720
Light poling skiff profile view
Top 5

Lightest 18–19 ft Poling Skiffs

The lightest dry-weight 18–19 foot hulls in our data — the ones that stay quiet and planted on the pole.

  1. Chittum Challenger – 400lbs
  2. Hell's Bay Glades Skiff – 440lbs
  3. East Cape Caimen – 550lbs
  4. Lancha 18 – 575lbs
  5. Floyd Skiff 7 WT – 625lbs
Technical poling skiff profile view
Top 5

Best Poling Skiff

Skinny-water first. Stealth, platform stability, and true poling draft.

  1. Chittum Islamorada 18
  2. Hell's Bay Biscayne
  3. Maverick 17 HPX-V
  4. East Cape 18 EVO
  5. Floyd Skiff 10 WT
Drake skiff profile view
Top 5

Lightest 16–17 ft Poling Skiffs

The sub-18-foot, minimal-weight poling skiffs in our data — tiller, micro, and true skinny-water tools.

  1. Drake Outlaw – 330lbs
  2. Hell's Bay Eldora – 350lbs
  3. East Cape Glide – 370lbs
  4. Beavertail Micro – 400lbs
  5. Salt Marsh Heron 16 – 400lbs
Drake hybrid skiff profile view
Top 5

Best Hybrid Skiff

Skiffs that cross bigger water without giving up shallow-water manners.

  1. Chittum 21R
  2. East Cape 21 EVO
  3. Egret Moccasin 21
  4. Hewes Redfisher 21
  5. Lake & Bay Boca Grande 20
Solo skiff profile view
Top 5

Best Solo Skiff

One-person launch, one-person rig, one-person fish — without compromise.

  1. SaltMarsh SM 1444
  2. Gheenoe 13
  3. Skimmer 14'6"
  4. Solo Skiff
  5. Crescent Cres-Craft

Frequently asked questions

What is the best overall skiff?
In Skiff Review's Best Overall Skiff ranking, Chittum Islamorada 18 takes the #1 spot, followed by Hell's Bay Professional 17.8, Drake NV-SL, Maverick 17 HPX-V II, and East Cape 18 EVO. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What are the fastest 150hp skiffs?
In Skiff Review's Fastest 150hp Skiffs ranking, East Cape VHP takes the #1 spot, followed by Maverick 18 HPX-V, Hell's Bay Marquesa, Beavertail Lightning, and Dolphin 18 Back Country. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What are the best value skiffs?
In Skiff Review's Best Value Skiffs ranking, Salt Marsh Heron 16 takes the #1 spot, followed by Lancha 18, Dragon Fly Emerger 16, Skimmer 16, and Ankona Caicos. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What are the lightest 18–19 ft poling skiffs?
In Skiff Review's Lightest 18–19 ft Poling Skiffs ranking, Chittum Challenger takes the #1 spot, followed by Hell's Bay Glades Skiff, East Cape Caimen, Lancha 18, and Floyd Skiff 7 WT. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What is the best poling skiff?
In Skiff Review's Best Poling Skiff ranking, Chittum Islamorada 18 takes the #1 spot, followed by Hell's Bay Biscayne, Maverick 17 HPX-V, East Cape 18 EVO, and Floyd Skiff 10 WT. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What are the lightest 16–17 ft poling skiffs?
In Skiff Review's Lightest 16–17 ft Poling Skiffs ranking, Drake Outlaw takes the #1 spot, followed by Hell's Bay Eldora, East Cape Glide, Beavertail Micro, and Salt Marsh Heron 16. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What is the best hybrid skiff?
In Skiff Review's Best Hybrid Skiff ranking, Chittum 21R takes the #1 spot, followed by East Cape 21 EVO, Egret Moccasin 21, Hewes Redfisher 21, and Lake & Bay Boca Grande 20. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.
What is the best solo skiff?
In Skiff Review's Best Solo Skiff ranking, SaltMarsh SM 1444 takes the #1 spot, followed by Gheenoe 13, Skimmer 14'6", Solo Skiff, and Crescent Cres-Craft. See the full top five and how they were chosen in the ranking above.