The Roberts Mdl Flats Boat: A Good Buy?

Willy Roberts flats boats are a series of skiffs designed by William Henry Willy Roberts, a native of Key West, Florida. The boats are known for their craftsmanship and performance in shallow waters, with a focus on flats fishing. The first Willy Roberts flats boat was built in the 1960s, and the company has since transitioned from wooden to fiberglass construction.

The Willy Roberts line offers three main models: the 15', 17', and 20' Classic. These boats are characterized by their shallow draft, lightweight construction, and quiet ride. They are often customized with features such as wooden accents, outboard paint, and vintage controls.

The 17' Willy Classic, for example, has a length of 17 feet, a beam of 6 feet and 6 inches, and a weight of approximately 720 pounds. It can be powered by up to 115 horsepower, with a recommended range of 60 to 90 horsepower.

The Willy Roberts boats are well-regarded in the flats fishing community, with a strong reputation for quality and performance.

Willy Roberts flats boats are made of wood or fiberglass

Willy Roberts flats boats were initially made of wood, with the transition to fiberglass occurring in the 1960s. The Willy Roberts line of boats has a well-defined boatbuilding process, which has resulted in the creation of the new Signature series. This series features wooden accents reminiscent of the craftsmanship found in the wooden Willy skiffs of the past.

The boats are 15, 17, or 20 feet long

Willy Roberts flats boats are available in 15, 17, and 20-foot lengths. The 15-foot model is the lightest, with a dry weight of 410 pounds and a maximum power of 90 horsepower. The 17-foot model has a dry weight of 720 pounds and a maximum power of 115 horsepower. The 20-foot model is the heaviest, with a dry weight of 1,100 pounds, and a maximum power of 160 horsepower.

The Willy Roberts boats are built with a blend of 100% Divinycell foam core, Kevlar (carbon fiber available), Coosa Bluewater 32, and vinylester resin composite construction. This construction method results in boats that are both strong and lightweight. Each boat is built by hand, with precise attention to detail, resulting in a high-quality, durable vessel.

The 17-foot and 20-foot models are part of the Willy Roberts "Signature" series, which features gorgeous wooden accents and a range of customization options. These larger models offer increased cockpit room and fuel capacity, making them ideal for family outings or chasing world-class fish. The 20-foot model, in particular, is described as the lightest, highest-quality flats boat in its size range and offers an extremely shallow draft.

The boats are designed for shallow water flats fishing

Willy Roberts flats boats are designed for shallow water flats fishing. The boats are made from a combination of 100% Divinycell foam core, Kevlar (carbon fiber available), Coosa Bluewater 32, and vinylester resin composite construction. This results in boats that are both strong and lightweight, with a shallow draft. The boats are handcrafted by skilled artisans, with each component carefully selected and mounted for easy access to maintenance.

The Willy Roberts fleet includes the 15', 17', and 20' Classic models. The 15' and 17' models are ideal for those looking for a smaller, lightweight boat that can fit in a garage or on the foredeck of a yacht. The 17' model is considered one of the finest poling skiffs ever made, with a super shallow draft and virtually no hull slap. The 20' model is the flagship of the fleet, offering a spacious cockpit and ample fuel capacity for extended range. It is also the lightest and highest-quality flats boat in its size range.

The boats include standard features such as stainless bezel recessed gauges and compass, Willy trademark wiring and rigging, and LED lighting. Additional customization options are available to meet specific requirements.

The boats are manufactured in the USA

Willy Roberts flats boats are manufactured in the USA. The company was founded by William Henry Roberts, a third-generation boat builder from Key West, Florida. Willy Roberts began building a timeless classic flats boat in the 1950s, which would later revolutionize the world of sport fishing.

The original Willy Roberts flats boats were built in Islamorada and Tavernier, Florida. The boats were the boat-of-choice for top professional shallow water guides throughout the Florida Keys. They were handmade, one-at-a-time, with the finest old-world craftsmanship, quality, and originality.

Today, Willy Roberts Boats continues to introduce modern technologies to complement the beautiful classic lines and fishability of this masterpiece, while using the same painstaking attention to detail Willy used in every boat he built. As a result, the company offers superior owner satisfaction and the highest quality flats skiffs and tenders built in the USA.

The boats are highly customizable

Stainless bezel recessed gauges and compass

Willy trademark wiring

Willy trademark rigging

S = Standard, A = Available, N/A = Not Available

100% composite / Divinycell foam cored / Kevlar (carbon fiber available) / Coosa Bluewater 32 / Vinylester resin construction

Choice of custom hull color

Custom non-skid pattern

Wiring to exceed NMMA / ABYC specifications

Recessed Lenco electric trim tabs with concealed actuator ram and auto retractor

Stainless bezel, recessed gauges and compass

Custom helm station with tach, fuel, water pressure / temperature, volt gauge package

Battery with isolating switch and main feed breaker

Dual batteries with dual circuit battery switch, main feed breaker, auto charging relay

Shark-eye LED bow nav lights / LED stern nav light

LED lighting: cockpit courtesy, forward and aft storage, rod lockers

Switch panel, waterproof

12 Volt / USB accessory outlet

Bilge pump with auto float switch

Dual / Livewell pumps, 500 gallons per hour, each with dual ports and stainless seacock ball valve

Premium stainless, flush-mount deck hardware

Fuel fill, EPA-compliant with pressure relief valve

Reinforced, stainless bow and transom eyes

Aft hatch(es) with pump room access

Stainless gas spring(s) on aft and livewell hatch lids

Self-bailing cockpit

Storage under foredeck with foredeck access

Willy trademark side console helm station

Custom helm station, center or offset console

Teak or mahogany console pod cap

Removable / tilt-for-access console pod

Classic stainless wheel

Under gunwale rod storage with rod tubes

Push pole chocks, stainless flush-mount

Plumbed dual livewells aft with LED lighting and aerator sprayhead / washdown combination

Aluminum fuel cell with fuel / water separating filter and fuel line shut-off valve

Willy trademark rigging

Power (Yamaha, Mercury, Suzuki available)

S = Standard, A = Available, N/A = Not Available

Tenders by Willy Roberts Boats

Frequently asked questions