Built from light weight but very tough engineered composite material, the Sheer Water Skiff has been designed by a New Zealand fisherman for New Zealand fishing. It combines the best features of the modern glass-fibre/foam composite fishing boat and high-end sit-on fishing kayaks to create a unique small craft suitable for New Zealand’s fresh and saltwater fishing pursuits. Access remote streams or lakes, stalk the shallows in harbours and estuaries, or shoot out from the beach for a quick mish after work. It’s easy with a Sheer Water Skiff.

The Sheer Water Skiff may be a small craft, but it has been designed to include as many fishing friendly features as possible.

Why build a Skiff:

Going Smaller and lighter:

I wanted to produce a quality product, a smaller boat offering many of the advantages of larger vessels for a lot less financial outlay and with surprising versatility. 

By producing a boat less constrained by physical size, draft, and weight, it opens many launching locations not available to larger vessels. A small boat is ideal for trying a bit of everything – fishing in sheltered water ways like river mouths, mangroves, and estuaries, exploring coastal nooks and crannies for moochers, diving, or blasting out a little further on those calm days.

A smaller vehicle can tow a smaller boat, considerably reducing the total investment required to get out on the water and back home again. There’s no need to buy another vehicle or expensive 4WD: Your existing work hack or even your Mum’s hatch-back will tow this with ease.

And it doesn’t need a flash boat trailer either. You can use a modified small boat or jet ski trailer, but our optional engineer-designed-and-built alloy trailer is the perfect fit; it tows exceptionally well and looks good doing it.

‘The easier it is to go fishing, the more likely we are to make the effort.’

The Sheer Water Skiff is a small boat that is easy to launch and easy to retrieve, needing minimal horsepower, while being cheap to run, easy to clean and easy to store. It’s great for tucking out of the wind into sheltered estuary waters during inclement weather. Shallow is good!

Not Your Typical Boat:

This is not your Dad’s kayak or your Grandpa’s tinny. This was designed from the keel up to be a personal fishing vessel. The Sheer Water Skiff empowers those of you who love to fish in sheltered and shallow waters for Snapper, Kahawai, Trevally, Kingfish; in fact anything that inhabits our inshore waters. That’s not all: It thrives on lakes and rivers. Skinny water? Not a problem! If you like to stand up and sight cast for your prey, then this is the boat for you.

The hull has been designed to provide a smooth ride and to keep the pilot as dry as possible, with its stepped double chines, vertical bow and flared gunnels all working to keep spray down. The wide chine also provides amazing stability at rest for such a narrow boat.

Zero Clutter:

There’s nothing worse than having clutter distract you as you slay fish in a small boat, and now you won’t have to put up with it. All your tackle can be stored out of harm’s way, and there’s less chance of harm to you, too. There’s a self-draining anchor well in the bow for the supplied anchor system; a large weather-tight storage locker at the front; side pockets on each side of the cockpit to store the things you need within easy reach, with toe space underneath. There is also a rear starboard storage locker for your generic 12lt fuel tank; next to that on the port side is a large storage hatch with dedicated battery storage and room for other gear, too. Add a quality 70lt, split-lid ice bin/seat from Icey-Tek and everything has its place.

The discerning fisherperson will appreciate the ability to stand and spot the prey, with nothing to stumble over or snare your line on unless you put it there. From lure to fly, or bait and burly, all will enjoy the clear space as the battle rages. Sit sideways with ample room for your feet under the side pockets or stand up while you fight the fish. You can even stand and paddle with a SUP style paddle without the worry of losing your balance or the skiff tipping over. Within reason, of course, as unfortunately there’s no accounting for a freak wave or boat wake. Or carelessness 😉. Sit down on the ice box seat and get comfortable, as the ergonomics are great. Troll your lures under power with your rods in the rear flush-mount rod holders.