East cape Todd puts east cape in the top tier and then tells everyone he lives on Instagram and somehow also the stone age with the drake and maverick selections.
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Well I am here. Just for the chaos!!! So many boats not mentioned. 
Filed under sensationalized material, for me. A question: is it the boat, or the captain/Fisher that matters? I have a buddy that has speared more game off his paddleboard than I have SEEN in local NC waters. Maybe that makes me a poopy Fisher, OR, his paddleboard outranks my skiff. His paddleboard fit and finish is FLAWLESS 
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To be fair, I made this list in 2017. I literally just copied it from the other thread.
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My skiff manufacturer is no longer in existence. I guess that gives street credā¦even if she squats in the water like a redneck Barbie on a floatie in PCB with a Dixie cup in one hand and a cig in the other 
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Well you forgot Rabco
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Well that list makes a lot more sense now.
I have a Spanish Wells built by dragonfly in my side yard right now.
Itās an absolute bucket of crap built like ā ā ā ā . The Owner of the boat wonāt even run it. Itās just sitting in my side yard rotting away because the owner doesnāt even want to see it in his yard.
Really we all expected more from that brand, but what they delivered was crap.
Nothing is symmetrical, nothing lines up, everything cracked all the gelcoat turned yellow. They added 200 pounds of lead to the bow because they misplaced the fuel tank. They missed an entire part of the layup schedule and built the bilge area maybe 3/16 thick. It was so thin that the tiny screws they used to hold in the bilge pumps went entirely through the bottom of the boat, then they ground those off from the underside and marinetech epoxy over it. The bilge pumps never worked in the first place because of where the float switches were located in relation. The wiring was horrendous in the systems did not communicate.
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Wait.. People actually buy skiffs? 
.
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Garbage post. Why post with the explicit purpose of āstirring the potā. This is a better forum than that action.
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Itās ok to smile and have fun.
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too much
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Little known fact, for a 2 year run Bayliner built a skiff, powered by a Force engine. The true standard for top tier skiffs!
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Yea, My biggest regret in building my skiff has been that I didnāt design for decommissioning. Its a giant hunk of plastic that will be around for millennia. I really wish I would have built a wooden boat without any resins / glues / or non recyclable materials.
No love for Gheenoeās and the like? Asking for a friend!
This was just a starter, letās see someone elseās list.
Iāll bite. Ready to get flamed. Sure Iām forgetting some builders.
Tier 1:
Chittum - Taking skiff building to the nth degree. The cost is prohibitive. But I have first hand experience on one and they are badass. People still hate.
Hells Bay - Will always be top tier to me. Sure they could push their design further. But the fit n finish is still excellent and the lines are best in the industry after all these years.
Floyd - Surprising maybe. They just know the skiff world and have made clever additions like the in floor anchor box. A fishing skiff first that also looks great and is built right.
Tier 2:
East Cape - Constantly investing in R&D and pumping out new models. Great for the industry. Some of their designs over the years leave me feeling meh. But great customer service and a loyal fanbase.
Drake - Have the price tag and the pretty lines. Carbon is cool. Need to see more I think? If the new model is a hit, then maybe they push into that top tier. Everyone needs a tarpon skiff.
Cayo - I like what they do. Owners seem to he happy. Big dry spray rails. Above average fit n finish. Not quite as expensive as the builders above.
Tier 3:
Maverick - Iām biased against production boats. Selling out is lame. All of their models squat so badly? Not much in the way of advancement. But I mean itās Maverick, been at it forever, canāt push them too far. Still tons of em in the fisheries that matter.
Beavertail - Iāve fished on a few over the years of varying vintages. Never been wowed. Certainly capable skiffs. The Carolina flair is less dry than you would think. But owners love em and by all accounts great customer service.
Spear - I owned one for years. Loved it. Light as a feather and dead quiet. As light as any non-carbon boat made potentially. Fit n finish was ehh but I bought it for less than $20k, can I really complain. Zero structural issues and I ran it hard.
Thompson - Still new but I expect them to rise. Love what they are doing at the price point. Thoughtful additions and clean lines. Have only heard good things but I need to catch a ride.
Ankona/Salt Marsh - Almost bought one years ago. Bang for the buck. Lots of models. Cater to simplicity which I like. Not fancy but light and well built. Fished on a few over the years, they catch fish.
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Welcome aboard @Native_Son You sure like to jump right into the fire. 
Glad to have you.
Tell us a little about where you fish and what you run.
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Thanks Zika. Appreciate yall getting this going. Thought Iād start with a controversial post.
Live in Jacksonville but consider all of Florida my home waters since I was born and raised and have fished just about every corner of the state. Ran a Spear Glades X for years but between skiffs right now. So I would appreciate if someone on this site can sell me an early 2000s HB 17.8 or Guide for a very reasonable price .
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Iād say. 
Iāve seen structural issues in person with 2 out of 3 of your top tier skiffs. IYKYK. But, like Iāve said before, if they take care of you, then all is good other than frustration and down time.
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