Looking at getting a AlWeld 16x44 with a prodrive 36. What are everyones opinions? Will a 44 be alright or should I go with a 48? Dont want to sink it.

is it a used boat combo? or are you buying all this stuff new?

I was looking at buying everything new. Liked the alweld because of price. Not needing a real fancy boat. I would be in more open, deeper water than shallow. But still a good bit of shallow water.

If you are purchasing new. Look into an 1848 and def get a hull built for a mm. The alweld is an okay boat, but will not perform the same. If you can't afford to go new to get the right set up, go slightly used. There is a lot of good deals on low hour rigs popping up. Read the reviews section and try to test drive some different boats before purchasing. Do your research now, don't buy the wrong rig.

If you utilize that combo of fury you will fly sorda on step but sink that boat when you shut it down via water over transom. And then you will feel all of mother natures horror as you get wet and mad all at the same time.

Dont just settle for the 16x44 because it is new...look into buying a used hull as said before and get a new prodrive. Getting the right hull will make a huge difference in the performance. PM Team Camo on here...he has been through three hulls and two motors in the past year and finally got a setup that he likes.

I'm with the rest of these guys... it's tempting to buy a new crimped hull, but the life expectancy is so much shorter. they just weren't made to handle the abuse that you will inevitably put it through after you hang a surface drive on the back. you'll end up tearing it up alot faster, then it won't be worth much, and it'll cost you alot more in the long run when you finally decide you want the right boat a couple years from now. much better in my opinion to find yourself a good used rig.


that being said, if you're hell bent on buying that kind of setup....... a 16x44 will float that motor, and it will run okay. a 48 would be better, but it will work fine. if it's a short transom, you'll probably have to be careful or you'll take water over the transom on a regular basis. and, youj're not going to be very happy with the load carrying capablities.

OK been doing a little more researching and I'm looking into a Southern Duck Boat made in Tuscaloosa, AL. Talking to them about the 16x48. Anyone have much experience with them or know anybody with one, or know anything about them?

Just out of curiosity, why not look into a longer boat? Your load carrying capability is dramatically increased. I run a 1648 also, but wish I would have bought at least an 1848. The 1848 will run almost the same empty, get on step faster, and carry a load a lot better. Just food for thought.

Don't know anything about southern duck boats. Are they designed for a mud motor or outboard?

Edit: just looked at they're website. Look like good boats. They should be able to help you choose a size. But as noted before, check out the reviews section on this site, and try to test drive a few rigs before making the plunge.

I had a 1648 PD boat and a 36 on the back and it sucked in a shallow hard bottom. The short length of the boat and the weight of the motor made it squat too much in the back. I have had 2 18ft boats since, and they get on step in shallower water, carry a load better, and are just all around better than 16 foot boats.

I WAS WANTING THE 16' TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO TIGHTER PLACES WHEN HUNTING. SHALLOW WATER RUNNING IS NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL TO ME BECAUSE 90% OF THE TIME I WILL BE IN DEEPER OPEN WATER.

If you are set on 16' then you would be better off with a 27hp for overall performance. I can put a 17' anywhere you can put a 16' and the extra foot would accomodate a 36 much better. Trust me you will want the extra foot in deep water. The 16' is going to get pushed around alot more especially with a load.

There's a reason these guys are telling you to get 17 to 18' boats. We've been there done that with a 16' boat. Sounds like you've got your mind made up. We look forward to hearing you admit we were right in a year.

Here, let me try.





DON'T BUY A 16' BOAT UNLESS IT'S ALL YOU CAN AFFORD.
I like my setup, but really wish it was an 18' boat, both for the skinny water, and the big water. SIZE MATTERS!!!!!!

My mind isn't made up. Thats why I put the post on here to get input from people that have been there and done that. And I appreciate everyone's input 100%. My buddy has the 16x48 AlWeld with a 36PD. He likes it, would get the same thing again if he had a choice of anything. I've hunted out of it and liked it. But after reading everything from you guys I am now definitely getting a 17x48 unless i come across a good deal on anything bigger.

if you want to get it right from the get-go and not be unhappy in the long run, get a 18x48 ProDrive boat, and put your 36 on the back of that. or you can jew around with cheaper stuff and end up spending more money in the long run.

As far as "getting into tight places"... lemme go get in my old 20' boat and see if you can follow me through some tight places. bet you can't.

and you're always going to be better off in a bigger boat if you're crossing big water.

Always remember you have to pay to play...always

Just letting everybody know I'm about 95% set on a Uncle J 17 1/2 x 48. His boats look to be made pretty well.

Love,
Uncle J

and just for the record... I'm not necessarily saying that UncleJ does a poor job building boats.

Is apples to apples a kit boat that is put together on a assemly line? Who's to say that this whole project is cost driven? Another thing... I build boats because it's fun. If I can save someone a penny or two, so be it. I don't know what I did to piss you off, but you need to get off my nuts.
O... PM Bruelyboy and ask him about the difference in performance..

And as far as the sponsorship; it was 200.00. That was more to help TonyB out than anything else.


Uncle J

Fish, Just to let you know, I'm sure you will be 100% satisfied with your boat from Uncle J. I personally love mine. And hell, J's a Prodrive guy anyway. I had to beg him to build me one for a Mudbuddy.

For the price, quality, and performance, I don't believe you'll find a better boat builder. Just my .02

Just letting you know Crews i have thought about paint, batteries and lights. And I am looking forward to doing that stuff to it when I get it. Also I would rather have a boat made by someone who builds a couple a year vs a company who makes a couple a day. Pro drive does not have a boat set up the way i want it. Uncle J is building it just the way I want it and then I'm gonna rig it just the way i want it. I'm not trying to say Pro drive boats are not good but just because it has pro drive on it does not make any better than any others. Even though I'm painting it, buying a battery, and buying 2 lights and some wire its still less money than a pro drive and it's gonna be exactly what I want. One of my buddies has a pro drive boat and hates it, but i'm not on here bashing Pro Drive. And I was first looking at a AlWeld because a buddy has one with a PD36 on it and it runs circles around our other buddies PD with a PD on it. I'm getting what I want you get what you want and dont worry about me.

I'm with you. It's your cash and your decision so get what you want.

I think i'm gonna like this kid. 8th post & already tellin the grumpy old men to stuff it. Lol

Uncle J is also one hell ova guy. So far he's gone above and beyond what I would have expected from anyone... in any sort of business. He's not gonna let you leave unhappy about ANYTHING.

im fixin to step on a whole buncha toes but i dont really care anymore..


first off, fish on.. if you are dead set of going with a custom boat, DO NOT stop at just ONE builder. there are many of them out there. As for me, i use them commercialy. been thru 5 or 6. ONLY 2 out of the tons of backyard builders are worthy of my time. sorry unc J, not dishin u but im loyal and will always recomend my friends to them..

several more factors to consider. i know your out of state. you need to go with a builder who is a CERTIFIED BUILDER with a STAMP and LICENSE. rite now, Earl33 on here is having problems getting his hull registered (tennesee) b/c the boat was registered HOME MADE and not Rec/ Comm.

If his builder would have been fully certified, a simple bill of laden and title transfer he would be sitting pretty. the US coast guard is cracking down on these backyard builders.

I realize that J may be the cheapest one out there, but when comparin apples to apples, oranges to oranges, you have to be careful.. would u rather just walk up to the DWF of your state (alabama i would presume since u looked at SDB.. which im glad u didnt get) and have them tell you they wont register your boat b/c the boat is homemade and not fully certified?

again.. not tryin to step on bunny, J, instagator, or any others ive missed on here just my observation...

several builders who are fully certified and have done work for me who i would trust with my life but not my wife (except the top two.. lol) .. look into these builders ask questions abotu there boats


Rick Aucoin (morgan city, la)

Brother Breaux (henderson, LA)

Tugg Martinez (bayou sorrell, la)

Charles Leanard (Pierre part, la)

Scullys and Hankos may be another option for you, but they will be a little higher..

Gator Tail boats.. pound for pound, ounce for ounce, run THE BEST on PRO DRIVE motors.

Geaux Customs is also an option for you.



BTW, TEAM CAMO,... your a fu$king douche. ppl like us old grumpy ones are the reason why you can blabber your c0ck sucker on this forum and speak your mind. but go head, keep running us off.. thats what yall want. prety soon this will be just like the Mud Buddy Forum a bunch of know it alls who dont know a got dayumn thing. .. and we will have to find somewhere else to take our posts. Sponsors will start leaving, ad this site will go downhill. Mark my word, write it down, quote it... . if something doesnt change around here for the better this site wont be no more in one year!!

Again, I was only jokin with Crews, and I don't recall askin ya for an apology.

and if someone is already 95% sure hes gettin a boat after only reading a dozen or so responses well thats just someone who wants a boat now and not interested in more research.. jus sayin.

thats been my whole point from the get-go, but u got drug in it b/c of your posts about the grumpy ones to stuff it. which pissed me off

I'm pitchin and your catchin......