2008 Hell's Bay Waterman 16

What sets this Waterman apart is how dialed-in it is for real-world days on the flats, not just showroom shine. The clean, open deck makes it easy to work a fly line without snag points, and the hull’s proven shallow draft lets you slide quietly into places other boats bump and grind. The lightweight build pairs perfectly with the modern 50hp, giving you surprisingly quick hole shot and excellent fuel efficiency for long runs. Thoughtful rigging keeps wiring and hardware tucked away, so washdowns are simple and the boat still looks sharp after a long season. It’s the kind of skiff that feels intuitive the moment you step aboard—everything is where it should be, and nothing gets in the way of the fishing.

This Waterman 16 shines in areas where the day can start on glass-calm backcountry water and finish with a choppy ride home across open bays. The hull is renowned for poling quietly in inches of water, yet it still has enough deadrise forward to soften the ride when the afternoon breeze kicks up. Tight mangrove creeks, oyster-laden shorelines, and sprawling grass flats are all within reach thanks to its shallow draft and nimble handling. The compact footprint also makes it easy to launch at smaller ramps, slip into crowded marinas, and tuck into a standard garage. For anglers who split time between technical sight-fishing and everyday exploring, this model is a rock-solid match for the local conditions.