Solo Skiff Pro/Con - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Mikey Likes It · 04-22-2020, 11:24 AM

I’ve had my Solo Skiff since April of 2018 and I absolutely love it. I have it in my small garage in Ocean Beach on a trailer and launch from Ski Beach, La Jolla Shores, and San Diego Bay. I have a 6hp mercury that goes about 15mph and 3 gallons of gas that gets me about 70 miles. It can be a very wet ride if there is wind/chop. Check out my YouTube videos and recent reports on here to see it in action.

JohnMckroidJr · 04-23-2020, 08:51 PM

I have been looking at 3 different options for powering a personal vessel.

1. Gas-powered PA. There are a number of anglers in SE Florida that have purchased one Adventure Island Alma and connected it to the side of a pro angler, then fabricate a motor mount behind the seat and use a 2.5 hp Suzuki motor. Top speed is only about 6 mph, but when the engine is off, the mirage drive can be used to fine-tune the vessels position in stealth mode for optimal fishing. The outboard is overpowering the kayak beyond rated HP, but some guys are going on 4 years with the same rig without any issues. PA14 plus an alma has over 600lb capacity. If one gets lucky and nails a huge fish, or has a wide open bite on quality fish, they are going to be able to bring it ashore.

2. A solo skiff -- 15mph sounds impressive. There are 2 things that I don't like about the Solo Skiff, 1 the weight which pretty much makes it mandatory to get a trailor which then greatly restricts launch locations. 2 max capacity of 450lbs is not enough. With an engine, gas, fishing gear, ice food drinks,a live well with bait, there is not much left for fish. For those who own one, is that an accurate maximum capacity?

3. Stealth ProFisha14. weighs under 100lbs, 14ft long, and 43" wide which should fit between the wheelbase on the bed of my Tacoma. It can take up to 6HP, though I would be tempted to use less for a slower more comfortable ride. Capacity is rated at 992lbs! At least on paper it sounds like an impressive boat. I really have not seen anyone use one, and the price is at least 1K more than a Solo Skiff, but you're not going to need to buy a trailor for it, and going to have more launching options.

Anyone using stealth on the West Coast?

Baja_Traveler · 04-24-2020, 06:40 PM

Do It! I was in on the very first OEX order, and only use my PA for kayak only tournaments anymore. I primarily only fly fish off of it also - this is off La Jolla a few summers ago. Three of us launched at the shores, fished from Torrey Pines State Beach all the way down to the Yukon and back like it was nothing. Pick up any 6 horse short shaft outboard (besides a Honda) and enjoy.

https://youtu.be/Ktvj4Jr2tlw

FISH11 · 04-24-2020, 06:58 PM

A Solo hull weighs almost the same as a PA (withing 10lbs), unless you are trying to leave the motor on while transporting. It's easier to lift the engine by itself.

JohnMckroidJr · 04-25-2020, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISH11

A Solo hull weighs almost the same as a PA (withing 10lbs), unless you are trying to leave the motor on while transporting. It's easier to lift the engine by itself.

Am I missing something? Fitted hull wt of the skiff 150lbs, PA 120.5lbs

FISH11 · 04-25-2020, 09:02 AM

I don't believe their claims on weight. My Revo 13 weighs a lot more than the the 70.5 lb they claim. It is heavier than my Malibu X Factor. They claim the PA14 fitted (including seat and mirage drive) is 144.5 lb, I think it's more like 138 lb without the seat or drive. But all considering it could be due to the accessories we install on the hull, like transducers and cables, rod holders and gear tracks, fish finder mounts, etc. All this before installing the seat and drive. I just know the PA 14 is way more than I want to be trying to load up onto my truck rack. Onto the truck bed not so bad, but I know guys 1/2 my age who sold theirs, cause it was so much work to deal with the weight.

Steamin_Seamen · 04-25-2020, 11:44 AM

I would love to see some more of these. The ability to cover distance would be awesome. I’m genuinely intrigued but I want to see how they handle with the bait tank running and a yellow on board.

JohnMckroidJr · 04-28-2020, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FISH11

I don't believe their claims on weight. My Revo 13 weighs a lot more than the the 70.5 lb they claim. It is heavier than my Malibu X Factor. They claim the PA14 fitted (including seat and mirage drive) is 144.5 lb, I think it's more like 138 lb without the seat or drive. But all considering it could be due to the accessories we install on the hull, like transducers and cables, rod holders and gear tracks, fish finder mounts, etc. All this before installing the seat and drive. I just know the PA 14 is way more than I want to be trying to load up onto my truck rack. Onto the truck bed not so bad, but I know guys 1/2 my age who sold theirs, cause it was so much work to deal with the weight.

Good point, but with the same logic, I would expect the Solo Skiff is heavier than advertised. I see that Nick Worn has bought beach wheels for his Solo Skiff. I have only seen them on trailers, anyone have experience putting them on a beach cart?

04-22-2020, 11:24 AM	#1
Mikey Likes It Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 47	My Solo Skiff I’ve had my Solo Skiff since April of 2018 and I absolutely love it. I have it in my small garage in Ocean Beach on a trailer and launch from Ski Beach, La Jolla Shores, and San Diego Bay. I have a 6hp mercury that goes about 15mph and 3 gallons of gas that gets me about 70 miles. It can be a very wet ride if there is wind/chop. Check out my YouTube videos and recent reports on here to see it in action.

04-24-2020, 06:58 PM	#4
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,638	A Solo hull weighs almost the same as a PA (withing 10lbs), unless you are trying to leave the motor on while transporting. It's easier to lift the engine by itself. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids ) Last edited by FISH11; 04-24-2020 at 07:27 PM.

04-25-2020, 09:02 AM	#6
FISH11 Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Pine Valley when not fishing La Jolla Posts: 2,638	I don't believe their claims on weight. My Revo 13 weighs a lot more than the the 70.5 lb they claim. It is heavier than my Malibu X Factor. They claim the PA14 fitted (including seat and mirage drive) is 144.5 lb, I think it's more like 138 lb without the seat or drive. But all considering it could be due to the accessories we install on the hull, like transducers and cables, rod holders and gear tracks, fish finder mounts, etc. All this before installing the seat and drive. I just know the PA 14 is way more than I want to be trying to load up onto my truck rack. Onto the truck bed not so bad, but I know guys 1/2 my age who sold theirs, cause it was so much work to deal with the weight. __________________ MARK ......... 2016 MALIBU X FACTOR, 2020 SOLO SKIFF (Fishing Kayak on Steroids ) Last edited by FISH11; 04-25-2020 at 09:08 AM.

04-23-2020, 08:51 PM	#2
JohnMckroidJr Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Fort Lauderdale Posts: 1,876	I have been looking at 3 different options for powering a personal vessel. 1. Gas-powered PA. There are a number of anglers in SE Florida that have purchased one Adventure Island Alma and connected it to the side of a pro angler, then fabricate a motor mount behind the seat and use a 2.5 hp Suzuki motor. Top speed is only about 6 mph, but when the engine is off, the mirage drive can be used to fine-tune the vessels position in stealth mode for optimal fishing. The outboard is overpowering the kayak beyond rated HP, but some guys are going on 4 years with the same rig without any issues. PA14 plus an alma has over 600lb capacity. If one gets lucky and nails a huge fish, or has a wide open bite on quality fish, they are going to be able to bring it ashore. 2. A solo skiff -- 15mph sounds impressive. There are 2 things that I don't like about the Solo Skiff, 1 the weight which pretty much makes it mandatory to get a trailor which then greatly restricts launch locations. 2 max capacity of 450lbs is not enough. With an engine, gas, fishing gear, ice food drinks,a live well with bait, there is not much left for fish. For those who own one, is that an accurate maximum capacity? 3. Stealth ProFisha14. weighs under 100lbs, 14ft long, and 43" wide which should fit between the wheelbase on the bed of my Tacoma. It can take up to 6HP, though I would be tempted to use less for a slower more comfortable ride. Capacity is rated at 992lbs! At least on paper it sounds like an impressive boat. I really have not seen anyone use one, and the price is at least 1K more than a Solo Skiff, but you're not going to need to buy a trailor for it, and going to have more launching options. Anyone using stealth on the West Coast?

04-24-2020, 06:40 PM	#3
Baja_Traveler Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Table 17, Bay Park Fish Co. Posts: 943	Do It! I was in on the very first OEX order, and only use my PA for kayak only tournaments anymore. I primarily only fly fish off of it also - this is off La Jolla a few summers ago. Three of us launched at the shores, fished from Torrey Pines State Beach all the way down to the Yukon and back like it was nothing. Pick up any 6 horse short shaft outboard (besides a Honda) and enjoy. https://youtu.be/Ktvj4Jr2tlw

04-25-2020, 11:44 AM	#7
Steamin_Seamen Junior Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 3	I would love to see some more of these. The ability to cover distance would be awesome. I’m genuinely intrigued but I want to see how they handle with the bait tank running and a yellow on board.