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The Atlas Boatworks 23F: Simple by Design

The Atlas Boatworks 23F is a clean, classic-looking bay boat with an intentionally simple layout. Higher gunnels are an aesthetic nod to a bygone era and keep you, kids, guests, or clients comfortably in the boat. A 10” draft rivals most flats or bay boats and gets you to the fish. With this center console boat outfitted specifically for you, you get to choose what is important and skip what is not.

Let us build you a boat

Atlas Boatworks is a semi-custom boat builder. That means that we generally build the hull, center console, and livewell/leaning post the same every time. Then you come in and decide everything else.

The Build Process

A step-by-step playbook

Inspiration

Check out past builds

The Atlas to your hull

Imagine having a guidebook to your exact boat, customized just for you. 

Atlas Boatworks 23F stern view of 3-degree deadrise. White porta Bracket attached and engine wires coiled up.
The almost flat bottom led to the nickname "Flatback"

What is a "Flatback?"

Flatback is the nickname given to some of the first center console fishing boats that were produced in the late 1960’s. They were shallow-running, efficient boats with higher sides and a sharp bow for the occasional run through bigger waters.  

The nickname “Flatback” came from the almost total lack of deadrise at the back of the boat (Check out our blog post on deadrise here). The bottom was essentially flat at the back, hence “Flatback.” Easy enough, right? 

They were originally most popular in Southwest Florida, but we believe this classic design is perfect for anywhere where shallow water meets big water. 

Design Philosophy

The Atlas Boatworks 23F has been intentionally designed to be fished hard and then sprayed down and put away. We certainly aren’t interested in polishing anything with a diaper. To us, simplicity is an asset. A clean, fishing-first approach results in a durable fishing machine that will last for generations. 

Just because we decided to go without it doesn’t mean we didn’t think about it. To that end, nothing on the Atlas Boatworks 23F is by accident. Hatches, hull color, seating, insulated fishboxes, cooler seats, jackplates, and more have all been deliberately considered.

Side view of a whisper grey Atlas Boatworks 23F center console tied to a seawall. 200hp yamaha outboard engine on the back tilted up.

From the blog

White gelcoat is sprayed onto the mold of a deck cap for the Atlas Boatworks Demo Boat

Atlas Boatworks 2024 demo Boat: Deck Cap

Next Steps Welcome back! We are walking, step-by-step, through the building of our 2024 Atlas Boatworks 23F demo boat. Last week we talked about the skin coat. If you missed that, throw it in reverse and go back here and read that. This week we are going to dive into…

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Chop strand fiberglass hangs over the side of the Atlas Boatworks Demo Boat

Atlas Boatworks 2024 Demo Boat: Skin Coat

Next Steps Thanks for joining us again for the building of our Atlas Boatworks 2024 demo boat. In our last post, we talked about choosing the hull color (We went with white; see why here) and then spraying that color gelcoat into the mold. If you missed that post, go…

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White gelcoat is sprayed into the bow of a red boat mold

Atlas Boatworks 2024 Demo Boat

Our own custom-built boat Atlas Boatworks is a semi-custom boat builder. That means that we build the hull, center console, and livewell (essentially all the fiberglass parts) the same every time. Then you, as the customer, get to do the fun part. You get to choose all the accessories and…

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A diagram of a hull highlighting the lifting strakes in red on the bottom.

Hull Strakes: An introduction

Strakes Among the many features that enhance a center console fishing boat, bay boat, or flats boat’s performance and efficiency, strakes stand out as a crucial element. But what exactly are strakes, and how do they impact a powerboat’s performance? In this post, we will dive into what strakes are,…

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@atlasboatworks
Atlas Boatworks

@atlasboatworks

Semi-custom boatbuilder located in Chapel Hill, NC
  • “There’s layers to this ish player, tiramisu, tiramisu”

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • Foam core going into the deck cap for our 2024 demo boat. #coringaintboring 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • A wrinkle in time

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • For 4 glorious weeks in the Spring here in NC we get to think about something in addition to boats 🦃🦃
  • Cutting up 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • Man of the cloth

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • Doing work #2024demoboat 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • Logo research. @captainzaners getting it done. 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
  • Overshot the landing. 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
“There’s layers to this ish player, tiramisu, tiramisu”

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
“There’s layers to this ish player, tiramisu, tiramisu”

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
“There’s layers to this ish player, tiramisu, tiramisu”

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
“There’s layers to this ish player, tiramisu, tiramisu” #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
1 day ago
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1/9
Foam core going into the deck cap for our 2024 demo boat. #coringaintboring #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
2 days ago
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2/9
A wrinkle in time

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
A wrinkle in time #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/9
For 4 glorious weeks in the Spring here in NC we get to think about something in addition to boats 🦃🦃
For 4 glorious weeks in the Spring here in NC we get to think about something in addition to boats 🦃🦃
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/9
Cutting up #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
5/9
Man of the cloth

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
Man of the cloth #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
6 days ago
View on Instagram |
6/9
Doing work #2024demoboat 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
Doing work #2024demoboat #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
7/9
Logo research. @captainzaners getting it done. 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
Logo research. @captainzaners getting it done. #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
8/9
Overshot the landing. 

#atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
Overshot the landing. #atlasboatworks #centerconsole #fishingboat #boatbuilding #tarpon #snook #bayboat #flyfishing #fishing #bass #bassfishing #redfish #saltwaterfishing #saltwater #tightlines #fishingpicoftheday #instafishing #largemouth #tuna #marlin #sportfishing #catchandrelease #saltlife #shark #fishflorida #fishingboat #redfish #captainsforcleanwater #hunting #skiff
1 week ago
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9/9