Big boats are great, and the older I get, the greater they seem. That's because there's no substitute for length when running in rough water, and comfort means a whole lot more to me now. Since the size of the average sport-fisherman continues to creep steadily upward, many of you obviously agree. The 60-foot beauty that seemed huge a decade ago now looks like a midsize convertible when docked next to an 80-footer!

Even though there's nothing cooler than fishing the world from one of these mega-fishers, their large size does come with some inherent drawbacks while traveling. They're great for trolling on the rip, but if you want to buzz across the bay to a cool little bar to sample the local rum concoction, firing up the big boat is usually out of the question. That's where a tender comes in mighty handy.

A small skiff used for a tender makes the perfect accessory to a large boat, allowing you to explore local coves, bays and towns (and bars), but also allowing you to fish shallow water or get bait. The skiff unquestionably adds a dimension of versatility and freedom that you simply don't have with the big boat alone.

Once you've picked the perfect tender to match your needs, you have two options on how to bring it along on your travels — tow it or stow it. Quite a few people opt to tow their skiff, but towing puts a lot of strain on both vessels. And if the skiff comes loose in bad weather, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to retrieve it. But that's not the only towing problem.

A friend of mine ran into an interesting predicament while pulling a skiff back to Florida from the Bahamas. It was a brisk day with a fairly steep following sea. As my friend's boat raced down the back side of a large wave, the skiff didn't make it to the top of the previous one. When the towing rope came tight, the skiff disappeared into the wave, diving like a huge planer. All my friend could see was the skiff's poling platform cutting across the surface like a submarine periscope. He managed to save the skiff, but it was touch-and-go at best and a huge headache. If this kind of high-seas high jinks doesn't sound like fun, then your only other option is to store the skiff on the bow.

The type of skiff you choose might range from a simple, lightweight inflatable to an 18- to 20-foot bay boat. The size of the skiff you can carry depends on the size of your boat and how you configure the lifting apparatus necessary to launch and retrieve the skiff.

In the real world, you might be able to cram lifting gear and cradles on a 42-footer — anything smaller, and you'll run out of foredeck. Of course, if you're lucky enough to own that 80-footer, your options increase exponentially.

Do the Math
Whether buying a new boat and considering a davit system or retrofitting your existing vessel, the issues you must think over remain the same, and you need to do some basic but vital mathematics before proceeding. You can't just bolt on a davit and a cradle and head off into the sunset.

"You mostly have to think about the configuration and layout of both the skiff and the davit as they relate to one another," says Garnett Byrd, president of MarQuipt, a leading manufacturer of boat davits. "The geometry of the layout must be carefully considered." Byrd points out that it's critical to know exactly which skiff you plan to deck-load before you begin.

If you're thinking of adding a little inflatable with a tiller engine, it makes the equation much easier. However, many owners opt for a full-blown, 15- to 18-foot fiberglass flats skiff, and loading one of these babies raises many important issues.