South Dade Skiffs Islandia 18
- Dave LeGear
- Sep 23
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Islandia 18: Where Tradition Meets Craftsmanship on the Water
Named after the serene southern isles of Biscayne Bay, the Islandia 18 channels timeless skiff design with modern execution—ideal for folks who appreciate well-crafted travel, and fishing on the water without fuss...
Built to Endure: A quick look at the basic Specs:
Length: 18 ft
Beam: 68″ at the transom, flaring to 83″ on deck
Hull Weight: 800 lbs; Rigged Weight: 1,250 lbs (with a 60 HP outboard)
Capacity: 4 people | Max HP: 115 | Draft: 9" with 60 hp, 11" with 115 HP | Deadrise: 12°
Southern Craft with Modern Tricks:
The South Dade Difference isn’t just marketing fluff; it’s about real, hands-on boat-building experience, Each Islandia is:
Skin-coated by hand using 100% Vinyl-ester resin
Built on a full Coosa transom.
Infused with Divinycell foam as part of a single bonded structure including the transom, hull core, stringers, and bulkheads.
Reinforced further with carbon fiber and additional VE resin bonds for extra toughness.
The result? Grace without fragility, strength without the weight...
Functionality Without Flaunting:
No unnecessary frills here—just a smart, purposeful fishing design. Dual hatches both fore and aft offer large accessible storage and convenient usability.
No Guesswork, Just “Here’s the Price”
Islandia 18 doesn’t leave you hanging like a cliffhanger in an old-school serial show. Customize your options online and get price estimates instantly. No waiting, no back-and-forth—just immediate transparency. It’s “straight talk” pricing, much like the good old days.
Ideal For…
Anglers or families seeking an 18-ft skiff that’s stable and no-nonsense.
Water lovers who value durability and integrity.
Nice large decks both fore and aft for Flats fishing which is her design intent.
Further material breakdown that makes the Islandia 18:
1. Vinyl-ester Resin (VE Resin): The Armor Against Time
Many production boats use polyester resin—it’s cheaper, but also more prone to water absorption and blistering. South Dade Skiffs goes with 100% Vinyl-ester Resin throughout the build.
Why it matters: VE resin offers higher tensile strength, better flexibility under stress, and excellent resistance to water intrusion. Translation: your hull won’t age like an old dock piling.
2. Coosa Board Transom: No Rot, No Worries
The full Coosa transom is a major upgrade from the days of traditional marine plywood. Coosa (for those who do not know) is a composite board made of high-density polyurethane foam reinforced with fiberglass.
Advantages: Lighter than wood, completely rot-proof, and able to absorb shock without degrading.
This means you can mount up to 115 HP on the back without worrying about the long-term integrity of the stern, even with the use of a jack plate.
3. Divinycell Foam Core: Lightweight Strength
The hull, stringers, and bulkheads are all cored with Divinycell foam, a high-performance (structural) material.
Used in aerospace and military applications, it provides rigidity without unnecessary weight.
4. Carbon Fiber Reinforcement:
Critical stress points are reinforced with carbon fiber.
Carbon is lighter than fiberglass but dramatically stronger, providing extra stiffness where it’s needed.
It’s the same principle that makes high-end bicycles, aircraft, and racing yachts both faster and durable.
On a skiff, it means less flex in rough chop and greater longevity—because nobody likes a boat that feels like it’s groaning under pressure.
5. Hand-Laid Craftsmanship:
Every layer of glass and resin is hand-laid, ensuring consistent strength and eliminating the shortcuts that mass production can sneak in.
Hand-laid also means fewer voids, fewer weak spots, and a finish that looks good inside as out.
It’s boat-building with patience, not production quotas...
Why These Materials Matter Together:
Each material—VE resin, Coosa, Divinycell, Carbon fiber—is good on its own. But the cleverness lies in bonding them together as one system. The transom, hull, core, stringers, and bulkheads form a single unified structure via the use of vacuum infusion...
The result is lighter, tougher, and more rigid than traditional builds.
Less flex = longer life.
Lighter weight = shallower draft and better efficiency.
Stronger core = peace of mind when the conditions kick up.
Real-World Scenarios: Why the Islandia 18 Lamination Schedule Matters...
Maintenance & Longevity – No rot in the transom, no soft spots, no Saturday afternoons lost to patch jobs.
Resale Value – Materials that age gracefully mean you’ll command a higher price when it’s time to sell.
Handling in Chop – Carbon reinforcement and rigid bonding reduces hull flex, making for a smoother, quieter ride.
Efficiency in Shallows – At only 9″ draft with a 60 HP, the Islandia 18 gets you onto the Flats and into hidden creeks without breaking a sweat.
Peace of Mind – Every element is built for endurance. You’re buying a skiff, not a project.
Our Takeaway:
Some Skiffs are like mass-produced furniture: they get the job done, but you’ll replace them sooner. The Islandia 18, by contrast, is like a hand-built table—crafted from quality materials, meant to endure, and maybe even something your grand-kids will still use.
Some boats are built to turn heads at the dock. Others are built to stand the test of time. The Islandia 18 from South Dade Skiffs manages to do both—with a design rooted in classic skiff tradition, but executed with modern design elements and materials, that make it as rugged as it is refined.
What we'd love to see in the next version of the Islandia 18 since no skiff is perfect, just perfect for your needs...
We would like to see the option of having hull built employing the material Carbon Innegra for some targeted advantages that Carbon Fiber alone does not provide. You can hear and read our write-up of that newer aerospace material by clicking here:
At present, it offers increased space, requires less maintenance, has a reduced overall weight, and features a lower draft... We are enthusiastic about the possibility of providing an option to install finished liners within the hatch spaces in the future. Granted this will add extra cost and weight, but some shoppers may like having the option or, at least till they review the tradeoffs in both cost and draft by adding them...
Need something smaller? Don't forget about the 16 Footer which is the one that started it all for South Dada Skiffs!
In closing, named after the quiet southern isles of Biscayne Bay, the Islandia 18 is the kind of Skiff that we appreciate the lines of the hull, and really doesn’t shout for attention—it just simply delivers, season after season.
And let them know that Flats Nation sent you when you reach out to them below.
Call: 786-344-3052
Email: sales@southdadeskiffs.com
A big thanks to Captain Jan Photography for capturing some of the Islandia 18 shots! He creates truly stunning visual art, and we’re hoping to have him join us on Flats Nation soon to talk about his eye for composition, and the editing techniques employed for his work.
In the meantime,
We invite you to take in a few Flats Nation Podcast Episodes to help "Scratch that Fishing Itch" when working or traveling and you cannot hitch up the Skiff and go by clicking Here: and do share with your family and friends!
Also, check out the "Flats Nation" Merch and Swag collection! if you enjoy our content help support the effort and Rep "The Nation" at the same time! We have some newer works, from T-shirts to our newer Technical wear, all which can be found by clicking Here.
And don't forget about the Flats Nation Console Caddy to help keep your personal items secure and your phone charged at the same time...
Also our Brand New Flats Nation Push Pole Protector
Many Blessings!
Dave and the Team
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