how much does a ribbed bottom boat affect its performance in mud? on my boat i only have 3 ribs on the bottom, will this really affect they way it can go through the mud?

If you ever get perched on a stump you will know!

It will keep ya from sliding off stumps,it will grab in the mud and lillies. I has a ribbed boat and sold it to get a slick bottom. Ive been on both sides and trust me you are way better off with no ribs.

I run in some of the worst conditions you can think of... sandy clay bottom that the boat sticks to, stumps like you aint seen lately, and thick lillies.

I can hit a bunch of lillies at speed and feel the added drag from the ribs as soon as I hit them, it also keeps you from slidin off the stumps as easily.

ive run both and the slick bottom will perform better in almost every condition except if you have to make a turn when on a mud flat and end up running onto the marsh cause you couldnt turn and didnt want to stop

I have a slick bottom, My cousin has ribs, we think the ribs slow him down a little bit especially with lillies. as far as deep water my boat wont slide, neither his. in the mud mine will slide but if you not running WFO it isnt hard to handle, always keep a little throttle for manuevering. His slides too on the mud just not as bad as mine. But when he does slide into the marsh or stumps, he has hell getting off, i normally have to yank him off. where my boat just slides back into the good stuff. I would recomend the smooth bottom all the way

smooth all the way.. mine is ribbed now and you can fell the lillies grabbing the boat.
And in mud its alot easier to slide your boat around if you get stuck and need to "motor wench" your self over to find new mud! with a smooth bottom.

thanks guys, im only 15 so a smooth bottom boat im not gunna get that for a while, so i guess ima have to stick with my ribbed bottom boat

i saw a guy this weekend coming off the back bay and he had ordered a tracker 1648 with inverted ribs . in other word instead of sticking out there recessed into the interior .he said he ordered it that way . i wish i would have took a picture . i asked him if it cost anymore and said no i also asked him if it caused any cavatation at hi speeds to the prop and he just gave me a funny puzzled look ?