Looking at getting a new boat, with prodrive motor. Leaning towards the phowler. How much does it matter to have the floatation pods in it thinking of haveing them for storage instead. also does anyone running one of these have an opinion on having a smooth flat bottom, compared to having the ribs on the bottom. leaning towads the 1752 with a 36 pro drive.
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I have really enjoyed my Phowler 1848. Just tell Paul or whomever you are dealing with how you want it built and they will do it if they can. I opted for the smooth bottom and I wouldn't have it any other way. I can ease over stumps and logs without having to hit them running full bore and the boat handles great both loaded and unloaded.

benelli,

Whether or not you opt for flotation depends on where you run, i.e., how deep and what are the temps when you sink your boat. Plus your personal tolerance for risk.

Phowler will build 'em with or without.

if the boat take on that much water it is gonna sink regardles right? i run the back waters of the mississippi near alma wisconsin. typicaly about 6 feet deep some spots that are 20 when we fish in the spring. is it worth haveing the flotation over the extra storage

If you have flotation and stay within the weight ratings the boat will float while submerged. You will be standing in the boat knee deep in water but if you are not overloaded it won't sink. Ranger boats had a commercial like this years ago. Talk to Paul about it. I just bought a 2060 it has no flotation. My first boat without. Not sure about it, I may have flotation put in it. I like all the storage that I have however it is a little unsettling only due to the fact I have never had one without it. On that same note I have never swamped a boat and need the flotation either. I also run the Mississippi a little to your south around Savanna. Make sure if you do not have flotation you have insurance prior to putting it on the water!
Go to the demo in Grassy Lake you won't be disappointed. Paul has them with flotation and without.

Got flotation in mine and the Phowlers I believe are tested at rated capacity with motor. Stay at or under the max capacity and it should float like a bobber at the gunnels. I think Paul was going to try out flotation in the sides like a GD hull, that may be an option also.

Having swamped 2 hulls in 26 years on Pool 7, I'll take the flotation, there isn't always a muskrat hut to swim to.

what if i just opted for storage in the front, would she still float. My buddy has an express with the front storage, and we swamped that once and it was fine, maybe there hulls are diffrent. just looking at getting my first boat like this and am not sure what i want yet.

Wouldn't matter to me flotation or no flotation. I am always way over loaded anyhow!

No flotation in mine. More storage and cheaper.

benelli,

USCG rated boats with floatation must have "full level flotation" with the flotation distributed evenly enough to keep the boat level. Otherwise, you float bow up or stern up, depending on which end has more flotation.

If you are on big wavy water in very cold conditions (we encounter this in North Idaho) flotaton can provide peace of mind. No one expects to ever be in the $hit, but it happens, and when it does you feel better running a boat with flotation.

But different strokes for different folks.