Skiff Talk Episode 3: Delta 18 vs. Drake Outlaw (FEAT. Capt. Austin Young, Ace Outdoors Charleston)

To fish with Austin and see his Delta 18 in action, visit the link here: bit.ly/3wepiTI
To fish with Conner and see his Hell's Bay Guide in action, visit the link here: bit.ly/3ua5sIC
This video is purely informational, and is not an ad or paid endorsement for any particular watercraft or boat product.
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Overview by Capt. Conner Bryant
Delta 18
Delta Boatworks is owned by Xplor Boatworks with the idea of a simple but multifunctional skiff. They are built with the same materials the Xplor’s are built with. This allows Delta to build a “meat and potatoes” style skiff ready to be customized by the owner with many different add on’s, optional console or tiller and 4 different color options. Delta also announce they will be unveiling two more hulls, a 23’ and a 25’. Today we will be discussing the 18’ skiff. With large spray rails and a high freeboard Delta has a very recognizable design.
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Delta 18 Specs
Length: 18’9
Beam: 84”
Draft: 5-7”
Power: 50HP
Max Person: 4
Deadrise: 2 degree
Bow to stern
As you walk up to a Delta 18 its hard to miss the large spray rails going from the bow down each side. My mind was immediately thinking this is definitely a dry boat. As you get up to the skiff one large hatch on the bow with an open cockpit layout and an open after bulk head. Opening the front compartment its spacious enough for all of the safety equipment with room leftover for personal storage. This compartment also houses a removable fuel tank closer towards the tip of the bow. Moving back into the cockpit its an open design with this particular skiff having a cooler as a jump seat, and it also has under gunnel rod storage for 6 rods. The cockpit is really where you notice the 84” beam, with plenty of room to walk around in without brushing against anything in the cockpit. On the starboard aft bulkhead a small switch panel in flush mounted for your nav light, bilge pump, and aux switches. This Delta also has a wide poling platform, and a bucket holder built onto the port side.
This particular skiff is powered with a Mercury 50 with a 3 blade 13P prop. Which pushes it in the mid 30s.
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Drake Outlaw
Drake Boatworks is owned by two brothers born and raised in South Carolina that wanted to create a skiff with the ability to fish shallow waters, pole great, and cross open water if needed. Drake Boatworks only builds a certain amount of skiffs each year, and can be customized for the individual order. Each skiff is built with high grade materials, and techniques that have been mastered through the years. Currently Drake Boatworks offers two different hull options, today we will talk about the Outlaw.
Drake Outlaw Specs:
Length: 17’3”
Beam: 59”
Draft: 3-6”
Weight: 320 lbs
Deadrise: 2 degrees
Fuel: 14 Gallon
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Bow to Stern
The Drake Outlaw has a very slick and dry design, as you walk up to it this skiff has a compartment on the top deck on the bow with plenty of room forward of that to have a casting platform. Inside of the forward compartment is the fuel tank against the bulk head and open room for safety gear and personal storage. Deep gutters on the hatch so water will drain out and the compartment is dry. Moving back into the cockpit this particular skiff also has a cooler jump seat that can be removed. It also has under gunnel storage for up to 6 rods. Lenco trim tab controls are flush mounted against the port side aft bulkhead out of the way of the driver. On the back deck behind the aft bulkhead is another large storage compartment. That also is going to be a dry compartment. For a 17’ skiff this Drake has maximized dry storage while also keeping this skiff light and simple. The poling platform is large and at a level that minimizes listing. Drake also installed trim tabs flush mounted against the bottom of the skiff.
This skiff is powered by a Yamaha 25HP with a 3 blade prob that pushes it around 25.
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Chapter Index:
00:00 - Intro
00:17 - Delta 18 Skiff Overview
01:00 - Delta Front Deck Layout
01:10 - Delta Rear Deck Layout
01:36 - Delta Cockpit Overview
03:00 - Delta Performance Overview
04:34 - Mercury 50-horsepower Tiller Motor Overview
04:55 - Drake Outlaw Skiff Overview
05:43 - Drake Front Deck Overview
06:10 - Drake Cockpit Overview
06:31 - Drake Rear Deck Overview
07:04 - Trim Tabs and Yamaha 25-horsepower Tiller Motor Overview
07:57 - Additional Accessories & Outro

[@philipabernathy2504]

I'm in the market for a new boat and took a factory tour of the Xplor Boatworks and saw several boats being built. I met Frank the owner and Boone who have been very helpful answering any questions I have, and continue to do so when more pop up. You can't beat the quality and PRICING of the Delta vs the Drake. You can also get TWO Delta 18's for the price of one Drake of comparable type. I'll be ordering a Delta 18 in the next few months once things settle down in my new work location in SC.

[@colincrozier8632]

Enjoying your videos and I love the close in shots of the hull details on the outside and the layouts on the inside , Good job and thanks for making straight forward content.

[@cwaysvt6138]

Any idea where the yeti back rest brackets came from?

[@stevehallflorida]

That Drake is really cool!

[@SlayaBoyz]

I really like these skiff talk vids! If you guys are ever in south florida id love to show you around my hells bay waterman if your interested!

[@anycreek]

We appreciate the support!

[@Soccer5USA]

Drake Nomad next?

[@anycreek]

The Outlaw's big brother!