Well after looking at them during the fishing show I am fixed on getting a carolina skiff.  I talked to the factory rep going over the boat and its features and I think it would be a great boat for st. clair.  I am looking at one of the following models 17DLV, 19DLV, or 21DLV.   Currently there is only one dealer in MI out by grand rapids.  Hopfully in a couple of years I have one.

Can you post a picture. Sounds perfect. I know you put alot of thought into this and it's going to be awesome. It allows you to get shallow. Whats the draft?

h2o

Good luck, and good thinking about waiting a few years.  With the economy tanking you never know what your job situation will be, and you don't want to be stuck with a big boat payment. 

The draft is 6"-8" on all three of those models.  http://www.carolinaskiff.com/skiff/dlv.asp

They look like good boats, but the gas tanks are just too small.  An 18 gallon tank on a 21 foot boat?  You'll blow through that before you know it.  Unless that is a typo, then I would be careful about that.  There's nothing worse than having to worry about gas all day.

Not much resistance on the hull. Helps mpg.

h2o

I am starting to look at the Elite serise now and the 21' model has a 52 gallon fuel tank. Thats plenty of gas for several trips.

Your doing the right research sir.

h2o

Hey Alex, check out the Starcraft Mariner CC too. Nice boat. Take your time. Do your homework and you`ll make the right choice.
http://www.starcraftmarine.com/?page=seriesdetails&hullid=1&serid=47&tab=modeldetails&boatid=553&section=specs