One of the less popular (atleast state wide) skiffs is the Kennedy Krafts. These were originally built in the 60s in the Panama City area. I’m not entirely sure on final production dates, as the company changed hands a few times, but I believe late 80s to early 90s were the final years.
Original form was 13’8” length and 45” Chine to Chine beam. Hull construction is Chop gunned with some later models backed by a heavy roving, but not all of them. I’ve seen them in multiple interior configurations, some with false floors, some without. Some with foam, some without. Most later models had flotation along the gunnels, but again not all. All interior construction was done with wood.
Outer hull design is the classic reverse chines with about 2° deadrise. Both of these give a good ride and is fairly dry, for a small skiff, albeit noisy on the pole, unless you have the bow weighted down with a 2nd angler. With some weight up front it’s silent.
These skiffs make great intro DIY polling skiffs as they can be powered by 15-25hp engines with good results. They are affordable and readily available in N.Fl under several different mnf names, such as Randall, Creek, Queen craft and many many others, as old man Kennedy never patented his molds, and allowed anyone who asked to splash his OG design. Finished weight of these skiffs can be sub 300lbs if construction is kept minimal. Static draft, again if kept minimal, is 2.5-3” and 4-6” loaded with two anglers and gear. Running draft with 2 is somewhere in 10-12” area.
The one I’ve got pictured here is my latest build and current skiff. I extended the hull to 16’ and added a tunnel.
The finished weight of this skiff (unrigged) was 370lbs.
Static draft is 3” and running draft is 4” dragging the skeg, 6” clean. On the pole solo draft is 4”.
And Yes I have legitimate measurements to back these numbers up.
I’ll try to gather all of my build pics and get em posted here over time.
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Great little “micro skiffs”!
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That would be a good skiff for Natures Coast. Lightweight 16 is the ticket.
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You did a fantastic job there Mike
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Can you show us pics of the deck layout? I need one! Beautiful looking skiff!
What specifically? Like an overhead pic or framing build pics?
At any rate, I don’t have any hatches. Just open bulkheads. Under the front deck is a semi permanent mounted 9 gallon portable tank, and battery which takes up all the space in there.
How about both? I think that is the perfect size for some deep backcountry spots!
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The very far front area, I foam filled with flotation foam, as well as foam under the decks and gunnels. Otherwise it’s just a simple, and functional platform.
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Absolutely micro skiff perfection! Simple, do you have trim tabs on it?
Is that seadek on top?
Is the battery in the back by the gas?
Yes. To the trim tabs. Manual trim on the Merc, so the tabs are a must have.
For the battery, I’m running a small AGM motorcycle battery for starting and lights, it is mounted in a box up front, forward of the gas tank.
You can see the mounting tray forward of the gas tank tray, in the pic with the framing.
I also installed a fill spout into the portable tank, that allows it to filled just like a permanent tank, so you don’t have to remove it for every fill up. However if you want or need to remove it, it’s incredibly easy to do so.
The decking is seadek knock off, from EBay/Amazon. It works well, although this go around the adhesive is separating from the mat itself at tge edges, so occasionally I have to address that, but at under $300 to do the entire skiff, I’m not complaining. It’s nice on the bare feet, and really helps with noise, and you can lay reels down without the fear of scratching em up.
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Find out. I might interested in it. Everyone I’ve had lead on has always turned into a dead end.
Welcome aboard @Jmarsh1 Glad you could join us!
Is your friend in SC by chance?
Dude
That’s the shit!!
Shit=Long Island language for awsome, cool etc….
Tippy 
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That’s the kinda language my Gen X self understands..
Thank you.
I’ll do another photo dump /Build post once the site gets leveled out.
@JCDesigns You ended up with one didn’t you?
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Yes and no lol. I do have the original mold but… Sadly it was violated in the worse kinda way and extensive modifications/butchery were made prior to my obtaining it. She is in class A condition and I like to think I did iy justice but the overall appearance is only going to be recognizable by the main lines.
