In the world of fishing boats, there are some hull designs that have developed a real mystique. Most are bigger boats, like the Bertram 31′ “Moppie”, or the 43′ Merritt, but some are smaller hulls like the Boston Whaler Montauk 17′ and the Hobie PowerSkiff.
PowerSkiff center console
Originally designed by surfing legend Phil Edwards, the PowerSkiff developed a reputation for being unusually stable and seaworthy for a hull its size. It was designed as a surf rescue boat, so it had a number of characteristics that are also important for an open-water fishing boat: the ability to handle rough water, an unsinkable, self bailing hull, and lots of side-to-side stability.
The Hobie PowerSkiff had some level of success in the late 1980 and 1990s, but was eventually discontinued when Hobie moved into kayaks. Several boat companies began producing similar hull designs under their own name, but only one company, Power Skiff LLC in Long Beach, obtained the rights to the original tooling and molds, and has been making both the 13′ and 15′ version of the hulls for the last 8 years.
Front console livewell/storage
Over time, they have updated and upgraded the original design and construction to make the boat even better. A partial list:
- All hand laid fiberglass construction with vinylester gelcoat
- Coosa Foam high density, glass reinforced, closed cell, polyurethane foam transom reinforcement
- Aluminum embedments in the hull and deck at critical lift and stress points
- Molded, all fiberglass stringer system with rigging, electrical, and plumbing chaseways
- Built-in 18 gallon cross-linked polyethylene fuel tank with fuel level sending unit
- West System 2000psi epoxy-bonded hull and deck
- Two component, replaceable, vinyl rub rail
- Polished, stainless steel, 4-bolt cleats and D-rings with backing plates
- Automatic 600 gph bilge pump with solid state float switch
- Closed cell, fuel and chemical resistant, polyurethane flotation foam (2lb density)
- Nidacore aerospace honeycomb reinforced deck
- Premium no-feedback steering with planetary gears
- LED running lights
- All high-end, marine-grade wiring and electrical components
- Hi-Tide Manufacturing gasketed, waterproof doors and ports
This season, with input from noted angler, photographer and TV personality Bill Boyce, PowerSkiff LLC has introduced two new Bill Boyce signature editions: the 1500CC Tournament Bass and Bay, and the 1500CC Cortez Coastal. We got a chance to look at them up close at the Fred Hall Show in Long Beach, and they are pretty impressive. The Boyce editions add upgrades that make the PowerSkiff even better suited for anglers in SoCal and Baja:
1500CC Bass & Bay in-deck storage
The 1500CC Tournament Bass & Bay adds:
- Flush fore-and-aft casting decks with a secondary livewell under the seat
- Center console with acrylic windshield and stainless console rail
- Integrated 22 gallon livewell/storage compartment in front of the console
- Built-in watertight tackle storage for up to 10 Plano 3750-size tackle boxes (4 in the central console, 6 built-in to the casting decks)
- 4 built-in horizontal rod racks with tip tubes
- An Engel 30 qt. cooler driver seat-back
- Bass boat-style seat pedestal bases
- Pop-up cleats
Console watertight tackle storage port & starboard
The 1500CC Cortez Coastal features:
- Forward deck lockable storage compartment
- Center console with acrylic windshield and stainless console rail
- Stainless steel bow and stern rails
- Built-in watertight tackle storage for up to 4 Plano 3750-size tackle boxes in the central console
- Integrated 22 gallon livewell/storage compartment in front of the console
- Washdown hose and pump
- 24 gallon under-deck gas tank
- 4 trolling rod holders
- 6 vertical console rod holders
- Engel 80 quart cooler seat with custom cushions
- Anchor pulley and rope hauser, plow anchor and rope/chain
- Fore and aft polished stainless steel cleats
Both models can be ordered with a custom aluminum trailer, and have a long list of optional accessories or upgrades, including: electronics packages, larger gas tanks, extra railing, extra rod holders, on-board battery charger, folding T-tops, Bimini tops, courtesy lights, and a host of other, including (coming soon) canvas spray guards, hull graphics, and Seadek floor mats!
To see a full list of standard and extra features, you can download a copy of the 1500CC Cortez/Coastal and 1500CC Bass & Bay show flyers from BTB. If can’t see the intro video by Bill Boyce below, catch it on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bill.boyce.7965/videos/10155160981144645/
We’re hoping to get some time with the PowerSkiff in the near future. They look great, and are worth a close look if you’re in the market for a seaworthy small boat for our local waters.
For more information, contact:
Bill Boyce
National Sales Representative
PowerSkiff LLC
Phone: (661) 202-0080
[email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PowerSkiff-LLC-227311307330822/