Islamorada 18 | Laguna Madre Edition
The Islamorada 18 Laguna Madre Edition uses all of the same materials and construction methods as the Islamorada 18 Legacy and Snake Bight Editions. This skiff was designed for the Texas waters but it has uses in many parts of the world. It comes optional with a tunnel, jack plate, cavitation plate, taller platform, custom prop and a jack plate switch on the shifter.
Specs & Highlights
Base Price: $71,500
Price Includes Standard Boat, Motor, and Trailer. With a 10% Carbon Build.
LENGTH 18′ 0″
BEAM 6′ 8″
DRAFT 4 1/2-6″
WEIGHT 550lbs
- Same Patented and proven hull design with massive high volume built in spray rails, a staggered split chine below the waterline for silent poling and a radiused transom. No sponsons.
- Standard engine is the 70hp Yamaha 4 stroke with stainless steel prop, premium shifter.
Custom Galvanized Trailer with walk board. Three galvanized wheels, Ranier radial trailer tires and LED lights.
Center console with storage for up to four 12-volt batteries and SS knot tying ring . Optional side console at no extra charge.
Gelcoat finish with choice of six standard colors.
Oversized hatch gutters with rubber gaskets.
UFLEX hydraulic steering with high-speed 3.5 lock to lock steering.
Stainless steel 13” Edson steering wheel with ball bearing suicide knob, black or silver.
One large dry storage box aft with easy access lockable hatches, accessible from boat or trailer.
Large dry storage under forward deck.
All hatches fitted with Gemlux 316 stainless steel flush mounted twist lock tension latches, Gemlux 316 stainless steel flush mounted hinges and stainless steel gas shocks.
Carbon fiber high capacity rod racks under gunnels with 10 large diameter flush fly rod tubes running forward. Cockpit sides and rod racks covered in water resistant Marine Mat.
23/21/13 gallon fully baffled marine aluminum fuel tank.
4.5-gallon Bait Well/Dry Storage with drain aft port side.
Poling platform anodized aluminum with SeaDek pad.
LED lights in all compartment lockers/hatches/console/bait wells/under gunnels.
- Billet Stainless Steel LED shark-eye navigation lights. LED stern light.
- Stiffy push pole holders.
Engine manufactures fuel filter/water separator.
Console rigged with Rocker Switches in Carbon Fiber CNC cut Bezel.
Trim Tab Rocker Switches in Custom Carbon Fiber CNN cut Bezel.
- 12-volt Optima/Sea Volt battery with on/off switch in console.
1100 GPH Rule bilge pump, with Ultra automatic switch.
Lectrotab 316 Stainless Steel 12”x 12” trim tabs.
Heavy Duty Black Rub Rail.
316 SS Bow and Stern eyes
All wiring is of highest quality / tinned with heat shrink connectors
All Chittum Skiffs are water tested and triple checked before delivery.
Prices and features subject to change without notice.
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About the Laguna Madre Edition
The Laguna Madre was designed and built for Texas. It is our 2 degree deadrise hull and is rated for up to a 70 HP engine. This skiff comes with a tunnel, tunnel extension, custom prop, Shawing cavitation plate, Bob’s Machine Shop 6” jackplate, a taller poling platform to accommodate the jackplate, jackplate switch and can be rigged with any options required. The engine is set up with the skeg slightly above the hull bottom and it will jump up and run with the plate all the way up. We have been building tunnel boats for Texas for more than 20 years and this skiff will do what is needed for the special demands in Texas waters. Like all of our skiffs, the Laguna Madre is exceptionally light and will get you to the fish, let you pole in water too shallow for the fish to swim in and take you home with a comfortable dry ride.
There is a lot of smoke and mirrors in the skiff world but this boat will do every measurable requirement for Texas waters better than anything ever built if you want to catch shallow fish.
If you would like more information you are welcome to call us or contact our Texas representative, Stephen Ford, in Rockport. He will be happy to get you on the water and show you what the skiffs can do.
smford72@icloud.com
(936) 203-0700
Build & Quote
This is our newest skiff and we built it primarily for Texas and it is the lightest boat we have ever built! We started the Technical Poling Skiff category more than 20 years ago at Hells Bay Boatworks and this skiff is the culmination of everything we have learned over that time and the use of the most advanced new technologies and materials. Many of the materials and technology came from the aerospace industry and the America’s Cup racing developments. As our structural engineer told us, there is nothing more we can do to build a lighter and stronger boat with any available materials or processes.
This boat can be built to weigh about 300 lbs before rigging, depending on the level of carbon usage and options. When we first built the prototype, we were very interested to see if there would be some downsides to a skiff like this at a weight no one has ever tried. We were very happy and a little surprised because not only is there no downside, these skiff do EVERYTHING better than a heavier skiffs! There must be a point where lighter weight will start to show a problem but we are not able to build anything lighter at this point so we will explore it more when the Unobtanium becomes available!
We are limiting this skiff to motors that weigh less than 220 lbs and 60 horsepower or less. The reason is not because the skiff is not strong enough to handle more horsepower. The reason is because the lighter a skiff becomes, the more critical weight distribution becomes. If a poling skiff does not float level, the draft is increased and the skiff will not continue to glide after a push with the pole. The Yamaha 70 is a great engine but it weighs 258 lbs and will make the stern squat. Right now, the 50 Tohatsu 4 stroke engine is the best one for this skiff. It will run up to 40 mph depending on the weight and options.
We have been doing something that will sound a little crazy to most Texas flats fisherman. We are building quite a few of these skiffs with no tunnel. We know that many people will rig it with a tunnel and it works great that way but because this boat is so light, it is running very close to how shallow the tunnel boat will run with just a jackplate and cavitation plate. It takes about 2-2 1/2” more water than the tunnel can run in. It will jump up in virtually the same water the tunnel can jump in. Both boats are very close in performance. The advantages of the non tunnel are 1) The non tunnel will be about 3-4 mph faster than the tunnel skiff. 2) The non tunnel will float a little shallower than the tunnel boat because a tunnel takes away displacement. This skiff is in a class by itself with or without the tunnel. Our suggestion is to test the no tunnel version before you decide. Either way, you will be fishing in water that no other skiff can reach.
This skiff can be rigged with a tiller, side console or center console and any options needed.
If you would like more information you are welcome to call us or meet our Texas representative, Stephen Ford, in Rockport. Stephen will Show you what the skiffs can do on the water and around some fish. We have some of the best guides and anglers using our skiffs in Texas and every person that has tried the skiff in Texas has told us that no other skiff can come close to what this one does.
smford72@icloud.com
(936) 203-0700
Build & Quote
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