Ok so I thought I found the right boat, started searching around and got a lot of good and a lot of bad.. so I thought I'd open it up to the pros!

I am Wisconsin and most hunting spots are medium lakes that I'll be traveling 20-30min drives into back swamp areas. Mainly thick mud and lots of vegetation that an outboard gets too low, I have no timber or stumps. I hit a lot of low water but there is always water under the boat, it's not like the stuff I see from y'all sliding over mud pits! I want something for 2 guys, dog and gear. Sometimes I may be on a bigger river (Mississippi River) or traveling across a big lake like Winnibego to get to a spot.

Boat- I love the design on the War Eagle 1542 FLD. True flat bottom with a v-bow for any choppy water. Open center design, back bench and front deck for the dog. I have a 9hp longtail right now and will be saving up for a bigger motor later but want the option to use a longtail or SD, whichever makes more sense and however much I can save!

Concern- First, will my 9hp push two guys and a dog for a season until I save up? I would be happy getting 10mph until I get a bigger motor. Second, once I get a bigger motor will the welds and transom be strong enough to handle the vibration of a bigger motor. It is only .800 thick and that doesn't concern me as far as driving because I shouldn't be in danger of any debris, but I want to make sure a 16hp or 20hp motor will not destroy the boat? The boat is rated to a 25hp motor and once I get a new motor I am only looking for 15-20mph max when fully loaded. I'm not racing anyone but I don't want to slug my way there. I'm not hard on my gear anyway and take care of it well but I keep reading mixed reviews out there.

I'm not sold on this boat but it seems like the only open design, front deck and true flat bottom with a v-bow. I don't know any custom boat builders in the state so I don't see that as an option but if you have any other recommendation for all I'm looking for, please speak up. Or just say to get the WE !

Thanks for the help

With a 9 hp on a 1542 I wouldn't expect to get even 10 mph loaded like you are figuring on. But it will get you there. I don't like a boat that is less than .100 just for shear rigidity and safety. There are lots of boats out there and you should not limit yourself to a production boat like a war eagle. Do some more checking and find something you are happy with. If you are questioning the war eagle now you won;'t like it when you get it and run it a while. Get something that is at least .125 or better. A hunt or drop deck is nice for flotation and handling as well. Spend everything you can on the boat and work your way up in motors until you have the ultimate rig.

But that's JMO.

Smoke

No im not "questioning" the war eagle, I just want to make sure my setup sounds like it will work before I go spend $3k. Ive been searching many other brands but I cant find another flat bottom like that series. Im not beating up my boats and not hunting every day in it so wear and tear shouldnt be an issue, its more about matching the motor with the design of that boat. Any other opinions would be great.
Also lets just say I was to go custom, how much would a similar boat like that run me in a .100 hull ?

Try and take a look at alumacraft. That's what in running and it is working great. Mine is the NCS 1442. I know it's a flat bow but they do have others. I'm running a 25 hp SD and getting 24 mph alone and 21 with 2 people and a hunt load.

Buddy has that WE boat with a 12 hp LT. 2 guys, dog and gear it goes 8. I would save my money and find a 1648. I have some brass balls but you wouldn't find me in a 1542 with a 9 hp motor out on Bago.

Yea Bago would maybe be a once a year thing for divers. Why would you say 1648 tho, I guess once i sell my current boat i'll only have enough for a boat or a motor.. which comes first!

Its all about room, when we fill up my buddies boat there isn't any room left to move around. I find my 1648 to be too small later in the season.

sent from inside the outhouse

I wouldn't get a war eagle if your planning on buying a SD they plow water and mud instead of riding it due to the rake. Plenty of post on here with guys having problems. Flat bottom on Bago just isn't going to cut it if the wind is over 10 mph. A 15 footer just wont plane, plus you won't be saving anymore than a 100 dollars. Look into Alweld (New London Dealer) it has floatation and better on price than the WE if you get it shipped with the dealers orders.