I've currently got a 23 hp gdsd. Its on my Lowe roughneck 1760 mod v. Yes its a dog. I'm looking at options for a different boat to put the motor on. I'm getting a 40hp tiller for the Lowe as I fish and hunt out of it. Looking at something that will strictly be a duck rig. <br /><br />Some background on me and where i hunt. Im from Michigan, I do most of my duck hunting in lake st Clair in the marshes near harsens island. There isn't much mud there and its mostly sand bottom. Looking for something I can take in the marshes and get shallow (1ft) of water and hard bottom. Most that'll be hunting in the rig will be 2 men, I'm 250 hunting partner is 210. We don't have a dog. Any recommendations for a setup that'll go shallow and be a decent price? Don't really have to worry about logs and stumps, so the hull doesn't have to be the beefiest built thing out there. It'll cross large river channels that can get 2-3 footers if the wind is really whipping but they aren't more than 100-300 yards across. Thanks in advance.

I'd go with a light non mod v hull. About 14-16 ft and as wide and light as you can get it. No extra seats, flooring or foam in it. That way it'll be as fast as possible. 2-3 ft waves are pain even in the mod v you still get wet.

Bump it.

No shorter than 16 no wider than 48 imo

No less than 48 width to better distribute the weight. My 2 cents.

Puddler knows his shit as far as small blocks... That being said. In my opinion, A 1740 would RUN with that little ole motor.

A 1740 would run. a little wider will better handle the rough water but go to wide and creates extra drag more surface area in the water while on plane you start seeing diminishing returns as far as speed vs load carryIng with the smaller hp motors. Thats why I opted to go long and skinny as you can spread the weight along the length. I run all my deeks on the front deck as tge rake stays out of the water while on plane so it doesnt slow me down. The smaller amount of surface area your hull has in the water means better speeds. I 've had my boat in some pretty big waves and handle decent made several mile runs through white caps on windy days.

Ill just be jumping 300 yard wide but deep channels. I won't see whitecaps on big water. 1740 eh? Ill look into something along those lines.

That motor on a GD 1648 will run 20mph solo - 18mph 2 man - 16mph 2 big guys and hunting gear...

Handles 2 to 3 foot chop with ease - at 3 to 4 foot with wind you will get wet but still safe...
I ran Trinity Bay which is the biggest Bay on the Gulf Coast in it happily and safely...

Had that hull and it also is big enough to hold a 35 GDSD later on if you upgrade as I did...

With 35 GDSD runs 30mph solo - 26mph 2 man - 24mph 2 big guys and hunting gear...

FYI - do NOT get the GD 1644 round chine - had that one too and it is too short
to perform well - I'm running a GD 1844 w/35 GDSD these days and love it....

PS - If a 35 GDSD is in your near future go with the GD 1848 or GD 1844 - you will be underpowered
with the 23 GDSD but happier after you slap the 35 GDSD on in a year or two...