What does the Ultraskiff draft? What is the Max Capacity?
The skiff has about 2300 total pounds of buoyancy. With a 200-lb man, a motor, battery, gear, and accessories, the skiff drafts about 3 inches. The skiff also has 460 lbs of internal positive flotation. That means if there was a hull breach and the internal cavity filled up with water, you could still safely operate the boat back to shore. For that reason, our recommended maximum weight capacity for the Ultraskiff is 460 lbs.
I'm a big guy. How will the Ultraskiff handle me?
You can watch a video testimonial of a 375-pound man trying the Ultraskiff at the 2016 Tampa Florida Sportsman Expo. In this un-paid and unscripted review, he shares his honest opinion about how stable he felt and the experience for someone his size.
How does the Ultraskiff track and steer?
Round boats can be sensitive to steer at first, but with a bit of practice, you'll consider its responsiveness a great attribute when in tight spaces. If you look at the boat's bottom, you will see that it is only a round boat on top; the bottom half of the hull has a large pointed prow like other boats. This prow and the skegs underneath are what give you tracking. Here is a video from 2014 showing its maneuvering abilities.
What is the purpose of the flared bow?
The strategically flared bow prevents water from splashing up while giving the boat the lift it needs to get through and over large swells.
How much does the boat weigh?
The assembled boat hull weighs 123 lbs.
Can you use a foot-controlled trolling motor?
While you can, we don't recommend it. The steering of the Ultraskiff is sensitive in nature and does not match up with a foot control mainly because you have to put the pedal back to "12:00" each time you want to go straight, and unfortunately, there is no way to see where 12:00 is with your foot.
How long will a battery last with a trolling motor?
It all depends on how much you use the motor and the amount of thrust you apply during those usage periods.
Can you outfit the boat with a manual or powered pole anchor system?
Yes. A manual pin or pole anchor system works great. All you have to do is push it through the tow ring on the boat's bow, and you are good to go. The anchor pin slot allows the pole to slide freely up and down in rough water or as you move around.
Can I install a fish-finder or depth finder on an Ultraskiff?
Ram Mounts and Ram Balls are mountable over any of the cleats. You can also detach the cleats, leaving two machine screw inserts about 1 3/8" apart, to which you can mount the fish finder screen. You could also make a single PVC unit that has the screen and transducer on one unit. Check out the Ultraskiff YouTube channel for demonstration videos.
Does the boat come with a warranty? How is it manufactured?
Yes, the boat comes with a 2-year manufacturer's limited warranty. The boat's hull is rotationally molded as a solid, durable piece, with no glued or riveted seams. The attachments and accessories are screwed into 33 brass and stainless steel mold-in inserts.
Does the Ultraskiff have a drain if water gets inside the hull?
Yes, a one-way drain hole on the rounded gunwale strategically allows water to leave the hull but not enter it. In addition, the Ultraskiff Hull is sealed, so water should not ever get into the hull.
Does the Ultraskiff have drains in the compartments?
No. Since the bottom of the compartments is lower than the waterline, if there was a drain to let water out, that drain could also let water in. If you get rained on, you may get some water collecting in the compartments. To get water out of the compartments, utility pockets, and rod holders, stand the Ultraskiff on its side, and the water pours out.
Do I need a cover for the Ultraskiff?
It depends on how you store your boat. If you are keeping it outside, stand it vertically against a fence or flip it upside down. If you are leaving your boat flat on a trailer, then a cover would be helpful to keep the utility pockets and cup holders from collecting water. A tarp works fine, but here's a link to nice round fitted 72" covers that fit the Ultraskiff.
What about a duck blind, sun shades, solar panels, or other specialty accessories?
The skiff has six equally spaced rod holders that can hold 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" PVC, so you can build any accessory you want. For example, solar panels can be attached to the doors or hung over the side. You can also check out an extensive library of DIY videos on the Ultraskiff YouTube channel showing how to make custom rod holders, sun shades, duck blinds, live wells, and more.
How portable is the Ultraskiff?
The Ultraskiff weighs 123 lbs. It has two handles for lifting and handling underneath the bow. The boat is very easy to roll on its side, although it takes a little while to master it. Once you do, you'll be rolling your Ultraskiff everywhere. You can also slide the boat on its side on surfaces that aren't too rough. A hand truck is another great way to move the boat on land and launch from shorelines and beaches.
How easy is it to move, launch and transport the Ultraskiff using a vehicle?
The back of any pick-up truck bed is the perfect method. Even with a short bed, you can strap the Ultraskiff down horizontally or vertically. The center hole makes securing the skiff with just one ratchet strap a reality. For vertical transporting, two straps are recommended. Any small utility or watercraft trailer or hitch-mounted carriers like the Harbor Freight Wheelchair Carrier will do if you are transporting using a car.
How is the Ultraskiff in rough conditions and passing wake from large boats?
The Ultraskiff can handle wake from passing boats very well. Check out this video of boat wake trials.
Can I use a gas-powered motor on the Ultraskiff?
Yes, you can, but the Ultraskiff is only coast-guard rated for 2.0 hp or lower. The skiff has a 17" transom, so you could use a short shaft outboard, but a gas motor is very jerky, and the torque from the gas motor turns/spins at a high rate of speed. The Ultraskiff is too short and wide to be a plaining hull. Rather, it navigates like a barge with a top speed is limited to about four mph. With a trolling motor, the skiff always moves smoothly and at an even water line. In our opinion, a standard deep cycle battery-powered transom-mounted trolling motor is the best and safest choice for the Ultraskiff.
Can the Ultraskiff go through the breakers and rough Bay chop?
Yes, it can go through rough water just fine.
Can I paddle an Ultraskiff 360?
Yes, if something happens, you can paddle by kneeling on the front of the round boat. You should keep a collapsible emergency paddle in one of the compartments when boating alone if something happens to your motor. It also has a rod holder on each side of the chair, which could be used as oarlocks if outfitted correctly. The bottom of the Ultraskiff is still a boat with a prominent pointed prow, so paddling is better than you would think in a round boat.
Can I use one of the storage compartments as a cooler?
Yes, you can fill a compartment with ice and stock it with drinks or fish; consider using a cooler bag if it's hot out. Remember, there is no automatic drainage inside the compartments, so a cooler bag will also allow you to empty the water more efficiently.
Can I use one of the storage compartments as a live-well?
Yes, you can use the compartments with an aerator, bilge, or as a re-circulating live-well. If you turn one of the compartments into a re-circulating live-well, all you need to do is add water and your aeration and circulation device. If you want to pump fresh water, there are long open slots on each side of the compartment doors for this exact reason. These slots also let you run ropes and anchor lines inside the compartments while the doors are closed.
Does the boat come with a Title?
Yes, The boat comes with an MCO and a HIN #.
What if I need to register my Ultraskiff in my state?
Typically, all motorized watercraft have to be titled and registered in their state of use. Many states do not require a boat to be registered if you're using it on a private lake or pond, but you'll use your title to register your Ultraskiff if you plan to use the boat in public waters.
Polyethylene plastic is a "Low-energy" plastic, so a Low-energy vinyl wrap or sticker is a great choice. Apply the wrap to the hull and then add stickers. Or you could spray the area with 3M high strength adhesive spray #76 or #90. Another suitable adhesive for polyethylene plastic is the 3M Scotch-Weld High-performance industrial plastic adhesive 4693H. If you want to permanently stencil your numbers onto the boat, you could use a permanent black marker. But be aware that it makes it impossible to remove the traces of these numbers from the hull. So if you stencil your numbers onto the hull, you still need to apply your registration sticker. If you're looking to one day remove the numbers, then use another material like thin sheet plastic or sheet metal, place your stickers onto the panel and then use the Extreme Velcro or screw it onto the hull see the pics below.
