All too often fly-fishermen buy the shallowest skiff they can get their hands on when they actually spend most of their time in deep water chasing bass, bluefish, albacore or offshore game. The designers at Marolina set out to create a boat that would take fly anglers into virtually any conditions they wanted to fish. The boat’s 16-inch draft will get it into most nearshore waters, but the Lou Codega design really shines once you’re outside the inlet.
The hull has a sharp entry that is carried back to well past midship, providing a soft ride. The 15-degree reversed chine directs the spray back down to the sea surface before the wind catches it and drives it back into the cockpit. Thanks to a generous bow flare, sweeping sheer line and slight tumblehome at the transom, the hull is as attractive above the waterline as it is efficient below it.
All hull stringers, bulkheads and walking flats are constructed of “rotproof poly-honeycomb with a factory-thermofused fiberglass laminated on each side.” This material, the company says, contributes to the hull strength and quiet ride. The hull is solid hand-laminated fiberglass consisting of alternate layers of biaxial fabric.
The Marolina 23 sports a fore and aft casting deck, bow anchor locker, large fish box under the fore casting deck, pod-style steering console with power-actuated electronics cabinet, livewell, freshwater system and lockable rod storage for 14 outfits. Additional rod racks are located under the covering boards.
