This 47 Year Old Boat Catches More Fish Than Almost Any Boat - John Skinner Boat Review

[@gdamanis]

Man... the drive out of your neighborhood brought me back to my childhood when you hit Farmer Doug's farm! I grew up spending my summers at my grandparent's house on Capt. Kid Dr. I'd ride my little BMX bike down the hill with a 5 gal. bucket on one handle bar and my fishing pole in my other hand, chain the bike to the guard rail and fish the inlet jetty all day. I'd fill my bucket with snappers and have to walk it back up the hill because it was too heavy to pedal. Thanks for the tour of Skinner's fish slayer and the nostalgia.

[@jiggingjerks]

I live one block over from your grandparent’s on Ruth and did the same exact thing.

[@gdamanis]

@@jiggingjerks yup! You passed some friends' houses. You might remember our house (they tore it down and built a new one) it was that bright green house on the north side of the street in between the 2 hills. My folks retired and moved out to a golf community in Riverhead, by Briermere (yay pies). I'm looking forward to bringing my boat out and launching at the new ramp.

[@gdamanis]

@@jiggingjerks so, I was telling my dad that I want to charter with you next summer and he said, "I know him. He was friends with Tommy Tsunis."

[@jiggingjerks]

@@gdamanis haha - that’s my cousin who grew up with Nick and Tom but I know Tom too

[@biffjohnson2076]

This is GOLD! Thanks (finally) John!

[@michaelnewell5422]

Skinner is the man

[@jakecentrella6360]

Bought a 18ft StarCraft offshore this year. Very similar boat and I love it to death. Taken it into the sound a few times now and it’s handled it like a champ. Doing a center console conversion on it this winter ! John skinner proved to me I don’t need to upgrade anytime soon

[@jiggingjerks]

Nice! What year is yours?

[@erasamus1057]

I can't believe this video exists and I didn't know this is exactly what I was looking now I just got to figure out how to convert a boat to a center console🤣

[@PaulyV56]

i run a 1972 16' Starcraft SS Center console I built. I will attest to what these boats can do in LI Sound. Caught in some snotty conditions 4-5'. Boat handeld it OK.( wont do again ) acceptable in 2-3. Love my Boat. Setting up an I Pilot/ out front this season. running a 1977 55 hp Evy. 29 mph. Throwing on a 70 hp Johnson this winter.

[@patrickkerner1471]

It's Not the boat but the knowledgeable person behind the boat. When you take the time to learn and plot the spots that's what separates a pro from an average fisherman. Thanks to people like Mr Skinner we learn more and quicker then others yet you have to put in the time!

[@fernandolage6471]

Hey John, level the trailer and fill the boat with a little water, I found a few leaks that way and hopefully you wont have to wait for the new floor.

[@jiggingjerks]

Smart advice.

[@brendanbedard1605]

I have the same boat - it may be "small" but it's mighty , just have to pay attention to the forcast

[@MackBolan1]

I appreciate you guys doing this video very much. The Long Island legend - John Skinner.

[@charmainevandiford6622]

I would love to restore that boat. Starcraft are great and you have it ready to fish.

[@callmeishmaelk767]

I had a 18' starcraft for years. When you get the floor out and replace rivets do Gluvit on the inside. Also look for any cracks along the formed chines along the sides.

[@callmeishmaelk767]

A good replacement for plywood floors is that new PVC sheathing they sell now.

[@jiggingjerks]

I’ll share that with the owner. Thank you!

[@damianpeterman9693]

I have a 96 star craft. Put a 120 on the back. Not the prettiest. But it does it job

[@RayA-rt6tp]

Thanks for sharing that John. You guys are the best!

[@anglerissues2309]

Absolutely, Skinner shows us that you don’t need a 100k vessel to catch them 👍

[@lil_craigslist3353]

Although he does deserve a yacht

[@rpietros]

@Steven GENNERO Bootz he could definitely go buy a regulator off the lot but he's a very wise man

[@ReelAZMatt]

JS is the MAN!!!!!

[@strichards5337]

01:12 rolled that stop sign.

[@benjaminallen2370]

The legend right there

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

I have a 67 starcraft I run 30 miles off NJ all the time I get sharks and tuna and people think im nuts. I carry 12 gal and an extra 5 and rarely need the 5. And I troll......allot. I just put a 2020 merc 4 stroke on it. 28mph. Cruises at 20.

[@jiggingjerks]

I thought you had a 47 Intrepid :)

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

Haha. Nah not yet. My future offshore vessel is a 1972 23ft Sea Bird im currently restoring.

[@captpepin]

Other than the rotten floor and the leaking! Priceless

[@jiggingjerks]

Hahaha

[@curtisg.8671]

100% humble people right here. Awesome that you guys show us that we don't need to look for fancy boats. Your boat is awesome though and Skinners has that patina that holds legend status.

[@FMorgigno1]

J.S. most certainly gets the most out of his 16' skiff. Notice you never see Sweeney on it.....probably because he thinks the deck is "yuckie". :) Great video John. Im looking forward to seeing some killer fluke video's for June, July & August. Anyone who wants a REAL fishing experience in Montauk waters and doesnt want to deal with the hassles of huge, crowded party boats, you need to look up Capt. John Halkias and have a super day on the water. You never know, you may even get to see Skinner, Sweeney and Doc while youre out there!

[@jiggingjerks]

Haha - thanks for the kind words Frank!

[@johnsweeney1400]

For the record I was the first John, other than Skinner, to fish on that Starcraft.

[@stackzoverheaddoors454]

I got. 92 tracker sweet 16 with a tiller 40 hp evinrude

[@MKOutdoors]

Love when Skinner films on this boat. Thanks for posting this John!

[@glennevitt5250]

Boat is just A Tool But the Captain makes The Remember and He Needs his Tools 😎

[@Matt_732]

Glad to finally get a close up!

[@trancemusic8805]

This is the hard hitting content I am looking for

[@jiggingjerks]

No fluf here! My long-term goal is to become an investigative reporter

[@Steve-qo4hi]

I was in Greenport for the last few days and was keeping an eye out for Skinner. Windy conditions probably kept him home. Maybe next time. Great vid!

[@stephenhusak6098]

Look for him from goldsmiths inlet east to Truman's Beach. He launches at Goldsmith or Truman's on the sound.

[@robtopham6095]

I just love the banter among friends. I've lost 2 of my fishing friends and miss those busting chops time and just plain fun we had. Thanks for the smile! Also I don't think any fisherman would make fun of John's boat. To me it's the ultamate wishing weapon because John uses it.

[@jiggingjerks]

Sorry for your loss Rob - hopefully you’ll always cherish the memories. And I love his boat. He has the best of both worlds, a small, light but capable boat that gets him on fish and friends with bigger boats when he wants to get out on the ocean.

[@robdavidson8296]

Love that boat. I have a 1964 starcraft nassau. Front end cut out and opened up for more room.

[@highboy3969]

I was into saltwater fishing from shore or my brothers boat. Ended up buying a 1987 17ft proline for $900 and I catch way more fluke than the 40-80k boats around the area. Know your structure and how to play the tides and you are good to go. (Also did need a motor and bought a 97 Johnson ocean runner) she scoots and catches fish

[@jonmenges2256]

Love this video, I have a very similar boat that I will likely never replace because it will do everything I need it to do. Thank you for putting this together and thank you John Skinner for the access!

[@ytpython73]

Tell John that after he replaces that floor with marine plywood he should use BED LINER instead of paint. Textured and impervious to water. We did that to my Sea Nymph a few years back, turned out great. Could take it to someone to spray in for a few hundred bucks, but we just bought 2 gallons and DIY.

[@jiggingjerks]

Thank you Sam. Someone else made the same exact suggestion below. I took a screenshot of that and sent it to Skinner as sadly, he doesn’t watch my videos even when they are about him :-)

[@LongIslandLethals]

The S.S. Skinner for the win 🏆 The man does a hell of a lot for what he works with.

[@brianromeyk7396]

John when you replace the floor and check for bad rivets coat the bottom of the boat on the inside with truck rhino bedliner coating it dries like a rock and it will stop all leaks you may have on aluminum boat

[@jiggingjerks]

I’ll share this with him. Thanks Brian!

[@ytpython73]

Spot on! I did this exact thing to mine.

[@PaulyV56]

gluvit/ will flex with the aluminum.

[@LifelongAngler]

Leaky rivets…but no bad rivets…. That’s called foreshadowing boys!

[@mr.c1987]

This is such a great video on so many levels...thanks for your persistence in getting this "interview". You have a nice start to your resume as an investigative reporter !

[@jiggingjerks]

Thanks and that Skinner is a tough nut to crack

[@timrudy4359]

3500 boat, 3500 trolling motor. Awesome rig!!

[@jiggingjerks]

A little cheaper on TM but yes :)

[@ytpython73]

This is what is killing me also. My boat/motor/trailer was $3000... it's hard to spend $2000 on that spotlock. But it is ESSENTIAL to fish Tampa Bay it seems. Sigh.

[@jiggingjerks]

It’s crazy to think that the motor, trailer, engine, etc cost almost as much as the TM.....

[@neutzz2008]

I went camping all weekend in that mess at wallenpaupack. I stuck it out

[@gregoryguitars6291]

My father used to practically sink an 18' Mariner with bass bodies in the 70's and 80's. Ive been working on a 16' Mariner for the past few months. Some of the greatest boats out there. Thanks for this. I am always pausing John's vids to get a better look at that beautiful jalopy. Why does Sweeney always get blamed for shit?

[@jiggingjerks]

Haha - it’s a long story on the running out of gas (what I was blaming Sweeney about)

[@gregoryguitars6291]

@@jiggingjerks I figured by Skinners response and his incredulity. 😁

[@philbarrows424]

Nice Vid John. I’ve been waiting to see Skinners skiff for the longest time👍🏻👍🏻🎣🎣

[@WinkOutdoors]

Can somebody please sponsor him and give him a boat!!!!

[@Brizzleeeification]

He would probably decline it.

[@fordaiffa6022]

nice, I like Mr John jacket where did he get it ?

[@jiggingjerks]

Pretty sure it’s this: www.froggtoggs.com/FTX-Armor-Jacket

[@archieoutdoors1776]

I've been hunting for a boat like Skinner's for almost 2 years now, good to finally have some more background on it

[@bobbymartin2604]

Awesome. I’m currently getting into boating on a budget myself. There’s always my dream boat for now I just want to get on the water and fish!

[@jiggingjerks]

And Bobby, that’s the thing, as long as you get out on the water it doesn’t matter how old your boat is as long as it’s still upright when you get back to the launch ramp or dock

[@callmeishmaelk767]

Some hull anodes are probably a good idea if you dont already have them.

[@ronsuda7555]

Absolutely love that boat when I down size gonna get something very similar and rebuild very versatile inshore boat👍

[@PeterRanieriII]

When he says he can launch it from the beach, he means he can actually back the trailer into the water from the sand? For a second he thought he spilled the beans about his epic weakfish video, haha

[@jiggingjerks]

There’s a couple of crappy town ramps on the Sound side suitable only for small boats…

[@PeterRanieriII]

@@jiggingjerks ohhh, gotcha 👍

[@Fluke17]

Can you do a review of ricks metal shark? Including price and build time??

[@Fluke17]

Disregard you already did ahah

[@jiggingjerks]

@@Fluke17 that was my first boat review ever. Incidentally, he paid around 200k in 2014. In 2021, you can probably come close to doubling that

[@Fluke17]

@@jiggingjerks crazy

[@Fishingandkicking]

I’m one of Skinner’s disciples…..Skinner is the man!

[@jiggingjerks]

Videos are one thing, but for those of us who are friends with him, it’s even more true. Just a great guy!

[@Delmarvafishing]

I love that Skinners boat looks beat up, he always seem to catch fish regardless.

[@joeladd9358]

What is the model number of the fish finder/gps you normally have in the bracket?

[@jiggingjerks]

I believe he has a Humminbird Solux 16

[@joeladd9358]

@@jiggingjerks thank you very much

[@kweeks10045]

Its funny to see him fish his friends Metalshark boat on one trip and then his own boat on another. I have a G3 aluminum boat that I won a redfish tournament in last year. I have about $6k total invested and that's after new electronics. Just goes to show, you don't have to play "keeping up with the Joneses" just to have a safe and reliable boat to fish off of.

[@jiggingjerks]

Or the “Ricks” :)

[@Guywithoutahobby]

Legend!

[@ERICKOLET]

I have a 72 18 ' Starcraft center console. Mariner I believe.

[@jiggingjerks]

The big brother of this boat!

[@reelsweetfishing]

I love Skinner...classic curmudgeon fisherman ....I think his trolling motor is worth more than the rest of the boat.

[@johnappleseed936]

Ive got a 72 mako 17 50hp mercury 2 stroke slaying fish western LI sound.. paid 3k no soft spots no leaks

[@jiggingjerks]

That’s a classic! Jack Kohut, Rick’s (of Rickset fame) has a restored 17 Mako with a 115 Zuke. Bad azz little boat!

[@JacobE-23]

I've been looking at a 17 foot starcraft I forget the exact year early 2000's I believe, but guys selling it for 7k with a trailer and new engine. Guys hardly used it. Looks brand new almost. Might have to get it after seeing this....

[@jiggingjerks]

Or send me the link lol....that will sell fast

[@JacobE-23]

@@jiggingjerks lol I don't blame ya for wanting it too, it's not listed online anywhere though. Just sitting in his driveway looking beautiful, taunting me when I drive past.

[@stevecookson3201]

Check out my thumbnail. 1967 Penn Yan. Use it for bass fishing on my lake 120 hp I/O. 2500 bucks with the trailer. Needed a 3 buck ballast resistor and a little electrical. Tweaked on a trolling motor mount. You don't need a million bucks to get on the water.

[@jiggingjerks]

I always loved the looks of the pose old Penn Yans. I never understood why they weren’t more popular with the saltwater crowd. Seems like they are mostly Great Lakes boats.

[@stevecookson3201]

@@jiggingjerks they definatly have plenty of freeboard for open water. If not open water definitely a big water boat.

[@rachelthompson9324]

V hull? Modified thri-hull? what kinda bottom

[@jiggingjerks]

Modified mono-Hull and all aluminum

[@Ghost-sz7uo]

John’s only 47?!?? Honestly, I thought he was like 67. Youngest, 57.

[@jiggingjerks]

The boat is 47 years old. Your guess is on the lower end of that range

[@Ghost-sz7uo]

@@jiggingjerks 😂 reading is not my strong suit. All I know is that he’s strong for an old guy, catching tarpons.

[@jiggingjerks]

@@Ghost-sz7uo haha - I literally just thought of those old reading is fundamental commercials that used to play when I was a kid and was watching Saturday morning cartoons. It’s all good.

[@paulfennell01]

Bilge pump, what’s the gph please?

[@jiggingjerks]

Probably 1.5 - 2 gph

[@BStavFishingAndHunting]

All that fish catching machine needs is a little tlc on the deck and below. It’s the perfect boat!! Remember, it’s not the arrow, it’s the Indian that counts!!

[@jiggingjerks]

100 percent true. I joke with Skinner all the time, he’s the only fisherman that doesn’t need to worry about leaks....you know, since he can walk on water and stuff....

[@BStavFishingAndHunting]

@@jiggingjerks Skinner is God!

[@georgemerritt2468]

Best boats in the world in my opinion I'd like to new what he did with his other green starcraft boat he had befor this one bc I used to have one green just like his old one and if he still has it I'd love to though out a offer to him on it

[@scottbecker5700]

I would love to see how John fixes the rivets? Any chance of that video in the future? Thanks for posting Scott

[@jiggingjerks]

I would love to but my presumption is John and his brother will work on that while I’m either out on the water fishing or, more likely, working my Monday through Friday full-time job. Maybe he will document it himself and posted on his channel

[@duainenye3599]

Thanks for the video a work boat isn’t pretty but he has to fix the floor before he gets hurt

[@jiggingjerks]

Agreed. We want him safe and sound and around for a long time!

[@gm1937]

One day that boat will go into the Smithsonian Institution. Greetings from Gio, Western Long Island sound.

[@jiggingjerks]

Gio, I’ve missed the introduction!!! Hope you’ve been well

[@gm1937]

@@jiggingjerks Honing my skills thanks to you guys. BTW, you are within striking distance of 10K. I smell a giveaway coming marking that milestone 😁

[@jiggingjerks]

I will call it the Gio giveaway LOL.

[@gm1937]

@@jiggingjerks I like it

[@alleybuilds5370]

Starcraft boats are work horses. My dad has a 21 foot he picked up for 1000$ on the island 2 years.

[@tmik7864]

Just goes to show you it's not the boat it's the fishermen in it !

[@fierceflyer5]

The Minnkota cost almost as much as the boat lol 😂 Skinner can out fish everyone on any boat or shoreline

[@stephenhusak6098]

I'd put up Jimmy t shirt, Dave the Irishman, Larry welcome or any of the old time north fork crew he learned from.

[@fierceflyer5]

@@stephenhusak6098 👍🏻

[@DoubleBogeyBaker]

Perfect little boat for what it’s for.

[@wakeswaves2164]

Very cool! John, Do you know how aluminum boats are usually made? Do they just weld all of it or is the bottom part of the hull one big piece and then the sides just attached?

[@jiggingjerks]

I actually have no idea

[@wakeswaves2164]

Going to try to look more into it. Seems very interesting

[@knicksallday6442]

Ome more question how many pairs of new balance does skinner own 🤔

[@jiggingjerks]

At least 2 that I know of!

[@michaelgruber1286]

Fish don't care if you have a fancy boat or not.

[@jiggingjerks]

This is true

[@tonychiera7098]

didnt he buy a new boat in Florida?

[@jiggingjerks]

He found a 1991 Maverick up here in LI that he brought to Florida. It’s his “new” boat (his joke, not mine)

[@goodtimes2556]

WHERE IS THAT ROCK HE SURF FISHES FROM ON THE NORTH SHORE AND CATCHES HUGE STRIPERS!!!!!! I KNOW YOU KNOW WHERE THAT ROCK IS!!! PLEASE… THAT ROCK HAUNTS MY DREAMS!!!!! LMAO. BUT IM SERIOUS WHERE IS IT?

[@jiggingjerks]

Hahaha...if I knew, you’d be seeing videos of me fishing it too!

[@rayjansen6712]

WOW... Will it stay afloat.? LoL 😆

[@dustindowney1802]

are those white New Balances?

[@jiggingjerks]

You know it. Much like Quantum Accurists and Gulp, all fluke fishermen will be rocking the white NBs soon....

[@slowburn_1725]

All business, no play, the damn trolling motor is worth 3 of those boats, and skinner get a cedar floor put in

[@mbari6963]

C’mon Halk, fess up!! The real reason you guys didn’t want to show Skinner’s driveway is because all of the fish that watch your videos would get on Google Earth, make a bee-line for Skinners house and fillet him alive!!! Then they wouldn’t have to worry for their lives, and those of their families and friends! FISH REVENGE!!!!!

[@jiggingjerks]

Hahaha

[@mbari6963]

I bet you didn’t know they watch all of your videos on Netfish, FINstagram and the Gulp Channel

[@smokster0604]

Us baby boomers know how to work with minimal equipment….Damm I just love my 1974 17 foot Montauk takes a licking and keeps on fishing 🎣…I should take a walk to 67 …..

[@jiggingjerks]

That’s a nice boat. A real classic

[@tomterrific2018]

With the price of plywood...it my cost more than what John paid for the boat ...lol

[@jiggingjerks]

Omg - this is so true!

[@robertgerber2533]

He’s got to sell more everything that he sells. He needs a bigger boat to go to places he can’t get to in that boat for some new videos. With that said if he offers it for sale I would buy it. He could probably get what he paid for it even without the minnkota in this market

[@thomastuorto9929]

John has connections. With his audience, people with higher end boats that can go travel out greater distances in heavier seas are happy to take him out. Not for nothing he was catching when he used a kayak, not to mention the shore fishing. He is the fishiest guy I know of!!!

[@jayfish718]

I just think he waited too long to fix floor he should have did that over the winter

[@jiggingjerks]

Tough to do in winter cause he’s in Florida and boat is in NY