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 Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people 
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Joined: Thu Aug 26, 2010 5:53 am
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Location: Ponchatoula, LA
Post Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
looking for suggestions on a boat. would like it to be able to switch between surface drive and out board for different uses. fish 3 people in the marsh, take a slight chop and also get shallow to run crawfish traps. i was looking at the 17 foot skiffs or like a 1652 mod v. any suggestions or rigs yall got and use for fishing and shallow water?


Thu Nov 16, 2017 8:24 am
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Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:19 am
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Go bigger. 1754 or 1854 of any one of the major brands should fit the bill.


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Thu Nov 16, 2017 9:06 am
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Joined: Tue Jul 30, 2013 2:32 pm
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Location: Lafayette, La
Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
I have a 1748 with a 37 Prodrive and use it for hunting in the marsh as well as fishing, both fresh and salt, with very little complaints. I love the full power reverse of the Prodrive, but the instant reverse on a Gator Tail makes for a smoother operation in many instances.

You really don't need to change out to an outboard with these newer motors. They can do it all for you.


Thu Nov 16, 2017 3:34 pm
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Location: Ponchatoula, LA
Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
i was told by a boat manufacture that the surface drive motors always breaks down and not reliable as outboards. so i was thinking of using the outboard when i have to make long runs fishing and the surface drive when crawfishing. maybe someone can help me figure this one out. worried about the reliability of surface drives especially with my daughters in the boat.


Thu Nov 16, 2017 4:30 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
If surface drives broke down all the time I don't think everyone would be taking them out in sub-freezing temps on windy days in stump-infested waters. Do the scheduled maintenance and you will be fine. Have a couple phone numbers in case you get yourself stuck.

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Fri Nov 17, 2017 9:01 am
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Spot on Exbellicus. Surface drive or outboard, they are both man made machines that will eventually have problems. This far into the game, I'll say that the surface drive manufacturers have pretty much perfected the designs and these motors are just as reliable as an outboard. I ran into an issue this past weekend with mine, however, I wouldn't hesitate to put my 5 year old in boat and head back into the marsh with it.


Fri Nov 17, 2017 10:55 am
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
thanks guys, i know this is opening up a can of worms so instead of asking who is the most reliable surface drive manufacture i will ask what ones to avoid or is known for having issues?


Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:01 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Same can of worms. you are just opening it from the bottom.

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Fri Nov 17, 2017 1:25 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Any of the big names will be fine. Just remember it is best to match up the motor with the boat. Meaning if you get a prodrive motor, it will perform best on a prodrive boat (due to transom angle). Also consider a custom boat can be had for the same or cheaper than one straight from the factory. Two of the most popular guys are WC Customs and Uncle J.

Rather than focusing on brand name for a motor - think about what load you're most often carrying and what speed you want to carry it. Also consider how important reverse is to you. If you do want reverse, do you want instant reverse or full power reverse. Consider if you want a belt drive or gear drive. Tiller, stick-steer, or side/center console drive? Don't forget to see where approved mechanics for each motor you're considering are.

Then you gotta think about your boat. What hull thickness, do you want flotation, what floor plan, what boat dimensions. If you're dead set on getting a mod v, make sure it has a true smooth bottom. If you're getting a big motor and not a 23-27, I would suggest going on the longer and wider end of hull size to help compensate for motor weight, especially if you get a prodrive.

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Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:29 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
thank you this really helps me kinda get a grasp on this. i will be carrying 3 people most of the time me wife and daughter. they love crawfishing and we currently have a 14ft boat and its too small. also we fish hopedale pearl river for specks and reds. needs trolling motor and instant reverse, crawfish traps hard to run without. the problem with going wide is in the swamp its hard to get wide boat in between trees/knees. would be perfect is like a cajun skiff for crawfishing and a 1854 g3 for fishing but thats like 40k for both so trying to see if any of you guys had an idea of a good rig that my can do both for me. ti will check out the custom boats you listed. thanks


Fri Nov 17, 2017 3:51 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Sounds like a 2048 bateau with a pointed bow would fit the bill about right.


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Tue Nov 21, 2017 10:51 am
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
I had Uncle J build me an 18x54 this past summer. I put a GTR XD 37 EFI with level three mods on it.

My wife and daughter fish with me regularly and I have also had four grown men fish with no problem. It will run with just me at 30 mph. Three men and a hunting load is about 24 mph

We fish, run noodles, traps, trot lines, and hunt from it. I use it in shallow weedy lakes up in Michigan when I go to see family. I run it on the Chattahoochee down in Georgia, and in Arkansas where I live I run in in the shallow rocky White River.

It serves as an all purpose boat for me.

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Wed Nov 22, 2017 8:25 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
i am going with a custom boat, looked at Mr. Mike Kliebert boats and they are some great boats. Im getting a 1750 large fishing bow and rear casting deck with custom open floor plan. I believe this will be the most useful size and boat for what i want to do. i am trying to figure out now how i want to power this boat. thinking about running a 40-50 tiller for fishing and switch it out for a mud motor when i need to run the traps.


Mon Nov 27, 2017 11:49 am
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people

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Mon Nov 27, 2017 2:43 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
could you not just change them out? never owned a tiller in that hp but i am assuming they have c clamps just like my 25hp or am i mistaken. you just loosen them and take it off?


Mon Nov 27, 2017 3:25 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Metal Shark

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Mon Nov 27, 2017 3:32 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people


Mon Nov 27, 2017 3:33 pm
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people
Why 1750? IMO a 1854 would plane out better with load and give a little more floor space, cost would be about the same.

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Tue Nov 28, 2017 9:22 am
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Post Re: Boat for Louisiana Marsh and 3 people


Tue Nov 28, 2017 11:48 am
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