For decades Carolina Skiff was famous for building simple, inexpensive skiff boats which were ideal for fishing, crabbing, and all-around utility use. But as time went on many of their models became more and more complex with the addition of interior liners, more advanced hull designs, and more accessories. As often happens with many boat manufacturers, as the lineup evolved it became more and more expensive. And eventually, despite tremendous popularity the simple low-cost skiffs that had once been the bread and butter of this builder disappeared. For 2024, however, the old-school Carolina Skiff attitude returns in the form of their E-series.





The simple, straightforward Carolina Skiff is back, with models like this E21 DLX. Photo via Carolina Skiff.




Carolina Skiff E-Series Design





The E-series includes five different lengths from 16’ to 24’, in several different forms. The E16 JVX CC and E18 JVX CCs are small but fully finished center console boats with a slight V in the bow and molded-in fore and aft decks, as opposed to the snub-nosed, wide-open unlinered Carolina Skiffs of decades past.





The Carolina Skiff E16 JVX (as well as the E18 JVX) has a V-shape to the bow. Photo via Carolina Skiff.




The E21 DLX CC, E24 DLX CC, and E24 DLX TH are redesigned resurrections of the old-school models with layouts that are available including fore and aft decks and a console but are otherwise wide-open. The TH models is a tiller steer. These are also available in “Kit Boat” forms which consist essentially of a bare hull. Like the original Carolina Skiffs, you can get pieces and parts to add on including fore decks, aft decks, and consoles. These models feature the straight bow without a V and have an integrated rail to knock down spray. Note that when these were brought back onto the market in kit form it immediately landed Carolina Skiff a spot on our list of the 10 Best Skiff Boat Brands.





Carolina Skiff's EV180 Sea Skiff is a bit fancier than some in the E-Series lineup. Photo via Pelican Point.




Finally there’s the EV180 Sea Skiff, which is a bit of a surprise for the E-series lineup as it’s a departure from their older style models being revived and instead is dressed up a bit nicer than many of its simpler siblings. This boat sports a V-hull and a longer list of standard features such as a swim platform, swing-back cooler seat, LED lighting, and vertical rodracks.





Carolina Skiff E-Series Construction





All of the E-series boats are all-composite and wood-free, with foam floatation exceeding USCG requirements. Stringers are integrated, add-on decks and consoles are screwed down, fuel tanks are portables, and rod racks are ABS plastic. Every model is NMMA certified. One of the beautiful things about the simplicity of skiff models is that there’s very little that can break, and with sturdy hulls and deck — which these are — you can expect maintenance and repairs to require little to no attention.





Carolina Skiff E-Series Fishing Features





The bulk of this lineup surely falls into the category of utility skiffs, which are great for crabbing, commercial use, and hauling heavy loads, but as a general rule of thumb are mostly used by recreational anglers for fishing. Their two biggest assets are, without question, maximizing the open available fishing space and minimizing cost. The open space is obvious, but the cost differential between E-series boats and more complex competitors is rather startling. In the current market it’s not difficult to find 24-footers that break through the $100,000 barrier even before being loaded with options. Compare that to a 2024 advertised starting price of $38,723 for a E24 DLX CC with a 115-hp Suzuki outboard, or $28,503 for the bare kit-boat version with the same powerplant.





The E-Series boats are inexpensive by modern standards, but the bare kit versions are even less expensive. Photo via Carolina Skiff.




Several of these models offer swing-back cooler seats at the helm, vertical rodracks at the console, and livewells as well. Adding a trolling motor will be easy, too, as they have plugs preinstalled at the front deck. Depending on the model (and setting aside kit versions) several different accessories and options can be added to dress the boats up, such as front and/or rear deck swivel fishing seats, Bimini tops, or T-tops. However, that’s about it; you won’t see long lists of fancy options with goodies like underwater lights, macerated fishboxes, or booming stereo systems.





There aren't many integrated features on E-Series boats, but anglers will find the basics. Photo via Carolina Skiff.




Remember, simplicity is a key asset of the E-series lineup. Carolina Skiff continues to offer its LS, JLS, and Ultra Elite series boats for those who are willing to pay more for a more complex fishing machine, but anglers in search of a boat that minimizes cost, requires little to no maintenance, and has as open a floor plan as possible need look no farther. The old school Carolina Skiff is back in new and improved versions, in the form of the E-Series.





See Carolina Skiff E16 JVX CC boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff E18 JVX CC boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff EV180 Sea Skiff boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff E21 DLX CC boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff E21 DLX Kit boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff E24 DLX CC boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff E24 DLX Kit boats for sale on boats.com.





See Carolina Skiff E24 DLX TH boats for sale on boats.com.


Written by: Lenny Rudow
With over two decades of experience in marine journalism, Lenny Rudow has contributed to publications including YachtWorld, boats.com, Boating Magazine, Marlin Magazine, Boating World, Saltwater Sportsman, Texas Fish & Game, and many others. Lenny is a graduate of the Westlawn School of Yacht Design, and he has won numerous BWI and OWAA writing awards.