i am lookin at getting a phowler but i dont like the runners on the bottom of the boats seems like they will just hang up on stuff. wondering if anyone runs one of the basic flats on how the like it and how bad the runners mess up the perfromace i mean if it helps y dont they put it on they other boats? thanks

Talk to Bubba or Paul at Phowler, they will give you the pros and cons of runners. They will build you one with or without the runners.

I don't have runners on mine. It turns a little differently than a regular jon boat, but once you are accustomed to it, it is no big deal.

thanks
i was just wonderin if any one runs one handling the boat is not the problem just i wanted one with out the runners came up a a good deal and was just curious how it performed. but i will for sure talk to them and thanks again

They will build it either way...got mine without runners.

It all depends on the style of running you do, just like Cut said.

It really is just personal preference.

thanks for everything i had my mind pretty much made up but i just wanted to make sure. i will get the boat without the runners better for what i run.

I run a Phowler with the runners. It turns much tighter then the boats without. The only con is if you get on a stump you gotta run it out, it usually wont slide off.

Like the idea of external runners for the purpose of keeping the bottom more rigid. Hated having square runners.

How about round tubing split in half or thirds? You get the bottom more rigid without the sharp hanging up edges. I know I don't need training wheels and could care less about the turning issue but liked the added strength for stump bashing.

Paul, if this turns into the "large drain plug, episode #2", I apologize in advance.

Just to make it really complicated,I want two or three rounded, shallow runners and at the transom I want a 6' runner out near the side walls and in between every other runner. The short runners have to be split out of tube like a wedge, thinnest from the front and tapering down to protect the last section of boat ahead of the transom.

Might as well make the bottom 3/16, big drain plug, 62.5 wide by 19 3/4 long 24 3/4 inch sides it has to run 40 mph deep water and I have to have it by last Tuesday. Also will need a blind that works like Harry Potters cloak of invisibility. Can you do all that, lol!