We are constantly asked about the construction of our hulls, by people concerned with a quality product, and rightly so with so many boats out there with delaminated hulls and stringers.

As a flats boat manufacturer, our top 2 priorities have always been shallow water performance, and the boats durability coupled with overall weight reduction.

 All Mitzi Skiffs are constructed with top quality components; no wood, hand laid foam cored transoms, floors, and decks.

The Mitzi Skiffs durability, and light weight are no accident.

The reason the skiffs are light is because all components, from the floors to bulkheads, the decks, and the stringers are all bonded and laminated together to create a hull structure that lets each item make a contribution to the hulls overall strength. This accomplishes a good strength to weight ratio and is why our boats are as durable as they are.

 First after the hulls primary laminate is in place we build the transom. The transom is a high density foam laminated on both sides for a very high strength to weight ratio.

The stringers go in next, and are solid fiberglass that we then bond the foam cored floor and cockpit to. This process ties all components together making the bottom of the hull, topsides, and bulkheads completely tied together for light weight, and a high ultimate strength.

After the interior is finished out, we bond the molded deck on, which is also cored in the key areas, with WELD-ON adhesive. This is a very high grade adhesive the worlds top boat builders use. 

Our construction thoughts are simple; put the money where it counts in the construction of the boat, in the bottom and hull joints top and bottom, it makes the boat hold up to hard use, period, and that's what you want, and that is what we want. 

Don't let the practical price of our products fool you, Mitzi Skiffs are built TOUGH, with top quality components, adhesives, with good production, and skill to insure you will receive a top notch boat that will last through years of hard service.

I hope this answers some of the questions you may have, if not please call us !

Sincerely,

Tom Mitzlaff
President
Mitzi Skiffs

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*** An added note : In late March of 2002 we had a customer returning our factory demo 16 to our plant in Jacksonville. He had a van pull in front of him and struck the van doing 45 MPH. Both vehicles were totaled. What happened to the skiff ? The trailer strap snapped, as did the bunks, and the winch assembly snapped off the trailer. The boat went forward, took out the tailgate, went over the truck and onto the road. The damage ? Two small holes (nickel sized) in front of skiff where it hit the truck (we think)  A long (4') scrape on the chine of the skiff, and some scrapes in the bottom of the skiff. The rub rail in the front of the skiff was knocked loose but not off. THAT'S IT - no other damage was found by us, or the insurance company. It was amazing to look at the totaled pick up, and then look at the skiff. We are again using the skiff and if you'd like to see pictures of the truck, and boat let us know, we will gladly show you. It simply goes to show that our skiffs are built to last, and built as well as we say. By the way, the guy returning our skiff, sold his Mitzi 15 a week later, and got his second Mitzi Skiff - a Mitzi 16, and we didn't need to convince him about anything !

4/15/02

We had one of our dealers call us yesterday to report an accident involving a Mitzi 15. A man was apparently driving about 60 MPH, towing his Mitzi 15 and was struck from behind by a driver doing what the police estimate at 90 MPH- he had fallen asleep. The car struck the rear of the boat, breaking the trailer strap, winch, and tongue of the trailer, sending the skiff over the car, and bouncing down the road for aprox. 500 feet. The boat had a severe scrape on the right side bottom, along with some puncture holes in the front. What was amazing was the customer said that's all that happened to the skiff. He said it could be put in the water ! Though the boat was severely damaged cosmetically, the boat was completely intact, with no transom damage. The outboard was damaged, the trailer was in 3 pieces, but the boat survived. The wrecker driver asked the customer where he got the boat and for how much because he said, " That's one seriously tough boat".

We were sad to hear about both accidents, and it was strange to have both happen in so short a time frame, however the fact remains both boats held up, which we were very proud of. It simply goes to show that when we say the boats are well built, we can prove it.

If you have a question about the accidents, ask us, we will let you speak to the people, or show you pictures.