Paddle Kayaks · Fishing
The Bonafide SKF117 is not like most fishing kayaks. Bonafide borrowed the shape from salt flats skiffs and blended it with a stand-up paddleboard feel, so you get a hull that poles and paddles skinny but still lets you stand and cast with confidence.
The Bonafide SKF117 is not like most fishing kayaks. Bonafide borrowed the shape from salt flats skiffs and blended it with a stand-up paddleboard feel, so you get a hull that poles and paddles skinny but still lets you stand and cast with confidence. If you fish marshes, flats, or shallow backwaters, this one deserves a long look.
If you want to skip ahead and see what it costs, check the current price here.
Who the SKF117 Is For
This boat is for the shallow-water angler who values stability and simplicity over speed. Redfish tailing in 8 inches of water, bass cruising a flooded flat, or a lazy day paddling with the family on the lake. It also suits bigger anglers who want a rock-solid deck under their feet without stepping up to a heavy pedal boat.
Stability
Stability is the headline feature. Bonafide’s own ratings give it a 10 out of 10 for stability, and the catamaran-influenced hull earns it. At 34.5 inches wide with a flat skiff-like bottom, standing feels natural, not sketchy. You can walk the deck to grab a rod or land a fish without the wobble you get on narrower hulls. In chop it stays predictable too, which matters when the wind picks up on an open flat.
Comfort and the HiRise Seat
The HiRise seating system puts you up in an elevated position, which is better for casting, sighting fish, and keeping your back happy. Bonafide’s seats are known for all-day comfort, and this one follows that pattern. The seat slides on a rack system so you can dial in your position, and there is molded under-seat storage for tackle trays you want close at hand. The Boss Strap paddle management system keeps your paddle secured but easy to grab.
Storage and Rigging
The SKF117 is a rigger’s playground. The open deck layout swallows a full-size crate, and the bow stays clean and open for standing. You get gear track, a transducer pocket near the cup holder for running a fish finder, pre-drilled Power-Pole Micro mounting holes, and it is Bonafide Sidekick wheel compatible for rolling it to the water. There is a stern access plate for getting inside the hull, plus replaceable skid plates on the stern for dragging over oyster shell and concrete ramps.
Paddle Performance and the Skeg
This is a paddle kayak, so your arms are the motor. The hull is efficient enough for covering a flat, but at 11 feet 7 inches and 34.5 inches wide, it will not win any races against a touring kayak. The real trick is the spring-loaded skeg. Flip the lever by your seat to drop it when you are covering distance and want tracking, then retract it when you get shallow or need to spin in tight quarters. That on-the-water control is a feature most paddle kayaks simply do not have.
Honest Drawbacks
At 78 pounds with the seat, it is not the lightest paddle kayak, and dragging it across a long beach gets old. The wide flat hull also means more effort paddling into a stiff wind than a narrower boat. And if you fish big open water in rough conditions regularly, a deeper-V pedal boat will handle chop more comfortably. This is a skinny-water specialist, and it fishes best where it was designed to go.
SKF117 Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | 11’7″ |
| Width | 34.5″ |
| Weight | 69 lbs hull / 78 lbs with seat |
| Capacity | 425 lbs |
| Drive type | Paddle (hybrid skiff hull with spring-loaded skeg) |
Bonafide SKF117 Fishing Kayak FAQ
Is the Bonafide SKF117 stable enough to stand in?
Yes. The catamaran-style hull and 34.5-inch beam make it one of the easiest paddle kayaks to stand and fish from.
What does the skeg do on the SKF117?
The spring-loaded skeg drops from the hull to improve tracking on longer paddles, then retracts for shallow water and tight turns. You control it with a lever by the seat.
Can you mount a Power-Pole or motor on the SKF117?
Yes. It comes pre-drilled for a Power-Pole Micro anchor, and the flat stern and open deck accept electric motors and motor mounts.
Is the SKF117 good for beginners?
Yes. The stability is confidence-inspiring, and the simple paddle setup means there is no drive to learn or maintain.
Where to Buy
If the Bonafide SKF117 Fishing Kayak sounds like your kind of boat, check the current price:
For the latest colors, specs, and warranty details, see the official Bonafide website for the Bonafide SKF117.
Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no additional cost to the reader. Product availability, pricing, and promo codes can change; verify them before purchasing. Also check out our reviews of the Bonafide XTR130 Fishing Kayak, Bonafide SS127 Fishing Kayak, Bonafide P127 Pedal Fishing Kayak, and Bonafide PWR129 Fishing Kayak.
