It is a great boat for marshes and back lakes. It will run and float extremely shallow and it will ride well in a medium chop. Big heavy chop it will get rough (but so did my 21 Kenner). I'm 50 years old and this Is my fifth boat I've owned and I love it. I wanted something that was smaller and easier for me to load unload move around because I fish mostly by myself.( Just not as young as I used to be lol).It only has four inch sides and just like other low side no side boats it will get water over the back of it when you unload it but it drains out quickly. I sometimes drift when it's very windy with white caps and I have no problems.(water is three to five feet deep)If I hook up on a good fish in those conditions I power pole down and fight the fish and only get a small splash over the back from whitecaps slapping it. You will need trim tabs (as most boats do) to keep it from porpoising at WOT. My 19 has a 12 inch raised deck 15 pitch prop on a 115 Mercury 4 stroke and will get up with the jack plate on six. Runs 38 mph which is fast enough for me. I have had this boat for over two years and enjoy it very much . It fishes three adults easily. Four adults drifting feels a little crowded. Four people no problem if you are going out to wade fish.

 

My buddy just got one this summer. Pretty nice boat. It will not do quite as well in shallow water as the RFL but the difference is pretty small. Rides good in medium and light chop. It handles pretty well. Might get a little water over the back when drifting on choppy day. But it drains right out. Comparable boats like the majek ultra cat and tran cat are good options as well. Although the shoalwater will most likely be cheaper

 

I have had a 19 cat for the last 8 years and can tell you that it is an awesome boat. With everything set right, that boat can run through a wet lawn. In my opinion, you won't find a better shallow water boat. As far as performance, it can be rough in open water, but for flats nd back lakes it will glide pretty dang smooth.

 

Thanks for all the good advice! Has anybody put a small tower on one if so how was it?!
Thanks

 

I waited to respond to this because I had only had my 19 Shoalwater Cat out once when you posted this and that was really just to get a couple of hours on the motor. I have now had it out fishing several times and I as become more comfortable with it I am liking it more and more. I am a Shoalwater guy and have been a Shoalwater owner since the late 80's but I also have a Shallow Sport that I've had since the early 80's. So, having fished the coast for 40 plus years and being aboard almost every brand available at one time or another I have concluded that they all will do the job with certain limitations unique to each one. That said, my new Cat does not handle East Matty mid bay chop as well as my 19 Tunnel V Stealth did. Likewise, my Shallow Sport is like a Model A Ford in the open bay, rough as hell in comparison to the Cat. I have been on an RFL that ran dangerously shallow in Saint Charles Bay area but beat me up like a bully taking my lunch money when it was in the open bay. I am not sure my 19 Cat would go places that the RFL did, but part of that is operator experience and knowing the limitations of the vessel your commanding the helm of. I have yet to be aboard an outboard powered vessel that would “run in spit” or “over a wet lawn” (my Panther airboat might have) so I can’t confirm either of those commonly used descriptions other than to say the RFL was impressive in the back lakes. I will say that once I build more confidence in the Shoalwater Cat, I am relatively sure I can get it anywhere I took my Shallow Sport but still a little unsure about following the RFL to places it went. ((disclaimer: what I saw Railbird do in an RFL is an exception and an example of expert helmsmanship and I wouldn’t try that in any vessel) I already know the Cat will come up on plane quicker than my Stealth 19 did. However, I’ve personally never been in a situation where I was so limited to space that not having an unbelievable “hole shot” stranded me where I couldn’t get out. Again, that’s all relative to understanding the limitations of the vessel and having the helm time to know your own limitations in operating it. The RFL I was in a few times didn’t seem to have any significant difference in the deadrise than my Shoalwater Cat so I would think the space need to come on top would close to the same. So basically, I buy Shoalwater for the reputation of the builder, ability of the vessel to perform to my needs and expectations and value. I shopped every dealer that Shoalwater has and I can tell you there was considerable price differences. If you would like to PM me, I would share that experience with you but I would I rather not discuss it in open forum. Best wishes on your endeavor. I don’t think you will be disappointed in the Shoalwater Cat.

 

I have had my 2017 19` shoalwater cat for over a year, awesome boat. got mine from Waypoint marine, totally recommend. I fish Port Oconner/Seadrift area. Wade and drift backlakes, I have been in some pretty rough swells and very shallow, 40 plus mph winds and cruising thru @ 4 inches. I do not plan on ever trading for anything else. I can go solo anytime, very easy to handle. I have gotten into pringle, very low tide. cruised right by @ 5 other boats that didnt make it thru. Perfect boat for my area and type of fishing I do. Waypoint will treat you like family. 'SHOALWATER' One of the Best out there! IMO