
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.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Length Overall | 15 feet, 17 feet, 6 inches, 20 feet |
Beam | 5 feet, 10 inches, 6 feet, 6 inches |
Draft | 5” – 6”, 6 feet, 6 inches |
Weight (Appx Dry) | 410 pounds, 720 pounds, 1,100 pounds |
Maximum Power | 90 horsepower, 115 horsepower, 160 horsepower |
Recommended Power | 30-60 horsepower, 60-90 horsepower, 90-115 horsepower |
What You'll Learn
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the Roberts flats boat is a good boat. It is a beautiful, strong, light and shallow vessel. It is a well-defined process, with a rock-solid boatbuilding process in place. The Roberts flats boat is perfectly poised to introduce their new Signature series, a delicious set of options featuring gorgeous wooden accents reminiscent of the craftsmanship found in those beautiful wooden Willy skiffs of a past era.
The Roberts flats boat comes in two sizes: 17' and 20'. The 17' boat has a weight of 720 lbs, a maximum power of 115 horsepower, and a recommended power of 60-90 horsepower. The 20' boat has a weight of 1,100 lbs, a maximum power of 160 horsepower, and a recommended power of 90-115 horsepower.
The Roberts flats boat includes standard features not even offered on lesser craft, and is fully equipped for years of enjoyment, whether for fishing or pleasure. Some of the unique features of the Roberts flats boat include:
- 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)
People who have used the Roberts flats boat have generally positive reviews. They praise the boat for its craftsmanship, performance, and shallow draft. One user said, "The Willy Roberts ownership experience is a journey into the extraordinary. Join us and discover the difference– where every detail is designed with care and every voyage is an adventure in itself." Another user said, "The 20' Willy Classic Skiff...This Willy shows off not only its beautiful lines, but also its ability to ride well in rough water, while its super shallow draft gives this boat tremendous pole-ability."