Kevlar Hybrid Skiffs
Designed to Perform, Built to last
Salt Marsh semi-custom skiffs are built for work or play in the tough marsh environment where around the next bend could be oyster bars, rocks or stumps. A layer of Kevlar — the same material used in bullet-proof vests — provide excellent resistance against impacts and punctures without adding weight.
But our skiffs aren’t just tough; they’re also thoughtfully designed for exceptional performance and fishability. The two Heron models feature efficient, smooth-riding 6˚ hulls with raised spray rails to eliminate hull slap on the pole and keep your crew dry on plane, while the SM 1444 combines the versatility of a conventional jon boat with high-end fishing features like under-gunwale storage for 9’ fly rods.
Since the beginning, Salt Marsh has also put an emphasis on value, striving to offer a top-tier product for a price considerably lower than the competition by focusing our resources on building boats, not building brands. We invite you to compare our boats and service against anything else on the market, regardless of price.
Technical Poling Skiff
Heron 18
18'6" x 77" x 650 lbs.
Technical Poling Skiff
Heron 16
16'0" x 70" x 450 lbs.
Jon x Skiff Hybrid
SM 1444
14'0" x 58" x 240 lbs.
The Kevlar Advantage
Laminated into the bottom of every Salt Marsh skiff is a full layer of 22 oz. woven Kevlar — the same material used in bullet-proof vests and tactical helmets for impact and puncture resistance. From the outside in, the hull bottom comprises gelcoat, then a fiberglass skin coat, then Kevlar, then more composite layers.
In our Heron 16 and 18, the Kevlar is paired with a layer of carbon fiber for added rigidity and additional weight savings. Kevlar is exceptionally tough but not especially stiff. Carbon, on the other hand, is exceptionally stiff but can be brittle. So the two materials complement each other perfectly, yielding a hull that is tough, rigid, and lightweight.
The Heron 18 benefits even further from vacuum resin infusion, a process that uses a vacuum pressure to pull precisely the right volume of resin into the laminate, allowing an improved strength-to-weight ratio and more carefully controlled process.
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Two Decades of Family Skiff Building
Mel Walker and his family have been building skiffs on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon in Fort Pierce, Florida, for nearly two decades, steadily building a reputation for no-nonsense quality, personalized service, and extraordinary value.
The family’s first brand, Ankona Boats, was launched in 2009 with a lineup of lightweight, utilitarian microskiffs that eventually included the Native SUV — adapted from the legendary Fiber Craft hull design of the 1960s — as well as the Shadowcast, Copperhead, and Cayenne, all original Walker designs. Ankona’s lineup has changed since then, but not its emphasis on building true technical poling skiffs that represent the best value in the market.
Salt Marsh branched off from Ankona in 2014, originally offering a pair of tough, utilitarian Kevlar-reinforced hybrid jon boats, the 1444 and the 1656. In late 2015, the company added a technical skiff to the lineup, featuring a contemporary design but retaining the Kevlar toughness that was the brand’s hallmark. Two years later came the Heron 18.
Today, although designs have come and gone over the years, the company’s core values remain unchanged. We are a proud family business building top-quality skiffs, offering what we believe is the best value in the market, and providing old-fashioned personalized service throughout the build process and far beyond.
Take the Next Step
Want to learn more about Salt Marsh skiffs? Email or call Erin at sales@ankonaboats.com or (772) 579-4217, stop by and see us in Fort Pierce, or complete the form below, and we’ll get back to you soon. We also have regional representatives in West Florida and Texas.