Have you priced a new backcountry-fishing skiff lately? A 21-foot skiff compete with a motor and trailer and a full list of options will set you back nearly $50,000.

Ouch!

For most of us, it is hard to justify the outlay of that much money for a limited, single-purpose boat. Many buyers choose to compromise and purchase a multipurpose bay type boat that is a little larger, roomier and more comfortable riding but at the expense of why they wanted a flats skiff in the first place: being able to reach the truly shallow areas of the bay where the bonefish, redfish and permit are.

Dedicated flats fishermen are finding out that the case of less is more applies. A small skiff can reach pristine shallow areas inaccessible to the larger boats, a small skiff can be poled without risking a hernia, $20 will buy enough fuel for a day's outing and some small skiffs may cost only a third of that fancy 21-foot flats boat.

Representing the small 14- to 16-foot skiff category are Hell's Bay, Hewes, Egret, Sundowner, Carolina Skiff and Mitzi, among others. If you routinely cross choppy waters of large open bays or bring more than one passenger, then a bigger boat remains the way to go. But for the diehard flats fishermen, nothing beats a small skiff to reach the extreme shallow waters.

Mitzi Skiffs, made in North Florida, answers the need for an affordable skiff that can take one or two people into the far reaches of the bay.

The Mitzi 15 can be ordered in several configurations, from a basic no steering wheel outboard tillered model to a conventional center console version like the one I tested with Joel Feeger of Joel's Outboard Marine in Fort Lauderdale.

The lightweight but solid Mitzi is wood-free, featuring all composite construction to eliminate any worries of wood rot.

All components of the hull, stringers, the foam cored floor and transom are bonded and then laminated together, resulting in a hull that should last for many years.

This is not a feature-laden boat with all of the bells and whistles, but attention to detail was good overall (though I found that the normally unseen hull-to-deck joint behind the rub rail was crudely finished). The wiring is first-rate, with all connections soldered for dependability.

The Mitzi 15 has a large forward casting deck with pop-up cleats to avoid snagging fly lines while fishing. The wide deck provides a substantial overhang over the hull for plenty of deck room for a boat 15 feet long and also helps to make the Mitzi a dry boat by knocking down the spray. Storage access for the portable fuel tanks under the raised forward deck is through the open cockpit bulkhead.

The interior of the boat is finished with a sprayed-on splattered finish that is in keeping with the Mitzi's simple, cost-effective but durable philosophy. Steering the small center console boat was convenient whether sitting or standing, though some taller people may find the steering wheel too low. An ice chest could be secured in front of the console or if the console is ordered with the optional live well, the motor well is large enough to hold the cooler. There is not much room for electronics on the console save for a tachometer or a small bracket-mounted GPS unit.

Two dry storage compartments are provided under the bench seat; an optional seat cushion is a worthwhile option for comfort. The sturdy poling platform is easy to step up to though I did not get a chance to pole the Mitzi. But being light and small with low wind resistance, it should be very easy to pole this skiff. Under-gunwale storage is provided for four fly rods up to nine feet long.

Recommended power for the Mitzi 15 is a 25 to 40 horsepower outboard motor. The test boat was equipped with a 40-horsepower Yamaha that provided plenty of performance even with two large adults onboard. The Mitzi jumped up on plane quickly heading up to a top speed of 36 mph at 5,200 rpm and an all-day cruising speed of 23 mph at 3,800 rpm. Handling at all speeds was predictable, riding quite well for a light boat except for some occasional pounding if the engine is not trimmed properly.

One noticeable trait of the Mitzi is that it is very quiet with no hull slap for improved stealth, an important feature for fishermen stalking easily startled bonefish. Tom Mitzlaff, owner of Mitzi Skiffs, says that the 15 fully loaded, will float in six inches of water, allowing it to go where few other boats can.

Less best describes the Mitzi 15 -- less weight requiring less horsepower and less fuel, less hull slap, less draft, less features (keeping only those important for fishing and durability), which leads to less cost. The Mitzi also takes up less space: If it is ordered with a swing tongue trailer, it can be stored inside most garages for less visibility.

Marshall Brodie writes about boats for Wheels & Waves. He can be reached by e-mail at heraldboating@aol.com.