I currently run an 18 hp longtail on a 15' x 36" flat bottom boat for duck hunting in timber. I am considering purchasing a replacement boat as the one I have seems to draft a lot of water if I have to carry 3 people. With 2 people it is OK and will do about 15 mph.

Right now I am considering going to a 16' x 48" flat bottom to be able to carry heavier loads better. Any opinions and/or reasons to consider a longer narrower boat versus the wider 16' boat? My concern right now is that a longer boat will be harder to manage in timber.

Thanks

If it is any help - my GoDevil 16x48 with 23 longtail does quite well with 2 men @ 220 each and gear.... However the 3rd man keeps her from plaining and really hurts performane in 3 to 4 inches of water....

By contrast my friends 18x48 GDSD boat and 35 GDSD does fairly well with 3 men due to big motor - his boat weighs only about 40 lbs more - yet has similar reduced performance in 3 to 4 inches of water with 3 men...

Both hulls have a pointed bow - which helps greatly in timber - both do quite well in that regard... Both are quite stable to fish or hunt from in deeper water...

So if three man is your goal - in timber - I would vote...

LENGTH - is better... POINTED BOW - is also better...

My - other boat is a 17x42 Weldbilt - very light - square nose....

It is horrible in the timber due to the square nose - but will plane the 3 man load because hull is 150 lbs lighter - still has reduced performance in the 3 to 4 inch zone with 3 men...

I prefer the GoDevil design overall to this one...

Learning a lot, I posted a question about a mod kit for my 36hp PD. I have a 16X48 big jon by Lowe had a 25 hp honda on it until I hit a rock in ND. First got a 27 hp PD, (dealer had a demo and gave me a great deal) did OK with 2 guys but no gear. Went out on the Mississippi with 2 guys, gear, dog and it was ok but really coulnt get it up on plane. So went back and they let me trade in the 27 for the 36 hp PD, much better. 3 guys and gear and dog, was able to plane it out pretty well (wind dependent). Of course want more so am doing a Stage I mod kit, BUT ALSO, most guys are telling me to go to a 17 or 18 x 54 or 60 to help with water displacement. most say I'll see even more with the longer and wider boat. Still looking into this, I guess I thought lighter/smaller boat - faster and easier to get on plane.

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts. I ran some displacement calculations today and a 17 x 52" seems to be a good choice with lots of displacement but hopefully not too long or wide for use in the timber.

I will still be thinking about my choices but hopefully have a new boat by early March.

paprhead, not sure how the timber is where your at but around here, 48" max for the timber most go narrower anything over 48" seems to have a little trouble thru the tight spots imo longer and narrow is better but you may have different conditions, just something to think about

42 is the magic number for a timber boat

17x52 is a good stable size - but - the devil is in the details....

Weight of hull - location of fuel and battery if needed...


To be sure - you got to test drive - and with your type and HP of motor, or better yet, your motor....

See if ya can test her - then you will know for sure....

Unless your next purchase is a bigger mule to drag with...

Then test drive that combo....

This forum is ripe with buyers regret - hidden under the surface like a big ole piece of submerged timber...

go ahead and get a gd 18x48 and be done with it.

I say 1848 also.

Bottom width is important in the timber but the most important factor is the beam measurment (width across gunnels at widest point) because that is the part that will make contact first. I have seen 42 and 44" bottoms that were wider across the gunnels than my 1848, which for the record will run the ditches and the green timber at any of the AR refuges and WMA's just as well as the War Eagles et al.

and also if want a boat to do well in shallows square chine will help dramatically,

yeh bout the flare but you dont want a boat with vertical sides