Just submitted this drawing to UncleJ to get a quote. It is going to be used for fishing/duck hunting/bow fishing/gator hunting. I wanted a large deck for fishing. Changed my mind about the recession for the trolling motor pedal (gonna go with a tiller steer). Also thinking a 6' deck would be plenty. 16ft total. 54" or 60" wide? Input is appreciated.

How long? Looks 17, but you typed 16. Go 18 ft long! I have a 48 so not sure on width. I know my next one will be btw 54 and 60 to allow the family to do more.

I had a 1860 a really liked it, but I like my 1754 a little more. I would go with a 1754 w/ a hunt deck over a 1654. I love the hunt deck on mine.

17 was my original plan. Maybe I'll stick with that. Also thinking of having the live wells at the back behind the rod/gun storage.

I went from a 1748 to 1860 & absolutely love my rig with the hunt deck, large front deck for fishing. It runs good & handles a heavy load.

Agree to remove the foot pedal area. You can go wireless & wear the remote around your neck or actually plug & play a foot pedal if you end up liking that better I recently purchased a MinnKota Riptide with I-Pilot & it has a remote.

Livewell, unless an important part of your fishing can always be used with an igloo cooler etc. That's a lot of water to be carrying around in your boat.

Updated

Thanks for all the input guys. How big would you make a hunt deck. If I went to 18 feet and lost the livewells would a 10' deck and 8' storage boxes on either side work? 10'x4.5' deck just seems huge.

How about having only one live well (2x2) near the front like my original drawing and going with one rod storage box. I feel if I did that I would miss the extra storage.

This is my first custom boat so I want to get it right. I know exactly what I want but whether or not it floats or rides is completely foreign to me.

where are you located? I would try to look at other rigs and get your builders input on things also

i would go like WEA said with a cooler for the livewell, easier to keep the water cooler and you can move it around to adjust the weight where you might need it. in the sun that aluminum heats up and will keep the water hotter imo

Another vote for 18'

The live wells are they for tourney's or just everyday fishing !! Lol I'm not being a smart azz but if it is just to put fish in that are for the table 48qt and 2 bags ice!! That how we do it in la. Lol One thing about mm is that they are very sensitive to weight!! So that why I said in early post it not outboards!! It's nice to have all the bells and whistles but then all the performance hoes out the window!!

My tourney cooler is an ice chest an oxygen system I bought from one of my buddies (http://www.pro-o2.com) and that's all I need. It works well for bait / fin fish & holds shrimp for days! You can overload the water with oxygen so keep regulator on lowest level. Fill the bottles at any industrial welding supply store (basically industrial O2)

I think a lot of people overdo it when getting a new boat built with the accessories, then realize that half the crap they used to want is just in their way. Think a lot about removeable storage, Jason can make you storage and seats that will come out, or move around. You probably won't know what you really want until you've had it for a year or two.

I like a wide open layout. I do have a gun box but I can pull it out. I just wish I had a longer deck,that's the only regret.

I will never own another boat with a fixed center bench that goes across.

Since it seems you were set on the 16-17' length, I'd say 17 @ least, but 18 would be better. What about 1854 with a 18" huntdeck on back & a 5' front deck for fishing, 7' gun / rod box on port side, 2' half box for driver's seat? Or maybe have another gun / storage box down the starboard side also & have em the same height as the deck so you can use em as catwalks.

I like all your input. You all make great points. I think I will go with an 1854, 10' deck, 1 removable gun box, dry storage in the deck. Plain as day and will probably save me some $$

Just me, but I would get about half of that deck removeable so you can clean it out easier or haul more junk if ya need to.

Scott,
We can talk more when I return to USA

Half removable is a good idea.

X2 on what everyone is telling you.......

Go simple if you can make it work.


What motor you going with? That will effect your design. (Or it shoulkd).

I had the extended front deck on my 1860 GD boat. I think it was about 5 1/2'. It was large enough to fish 2 people on the front.

I haven’t read all the post but be sure that the boxes/live wells/front deck DO NOT extend all the way to the bottom.

My boat long runners do not go all the way to the front of the boat so the front deck actually is welded to the bottom of the boat where the runners stop. This has will cause you to form a huge HOOK just at the waterline and cause huge problems.

IMO hook in the bow can cause just as much performance lose.

x3 on to much crap in a boat I have a phwler that is 18' 9" to the fron and besides having a extended front deck it all wide open. I have a pod seat with storage for me to sit while driving and a removable gun box for hunting season. I love having all that space. Also a good cooler with a aerator works great and like others said u can move it around if u need to adjust the weight.

Built one that is a 1950 with 6' deck with storage and 10" cat walks down both sides. One side is used as rod storage. 18' minimum on your length.

Those all sound very much like one of my fleet.

19'6" x 56" Geaux Custom. Has a 20" huntdeck, 2 - 7' rod lockers, about a 2.5' cat walk and an 8' front deck. I fish 3 people off the front deck very comfortably, however most people fight to get on top of the poling platform to fish.


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Nice boat Andy.

Thanks. I normally only keep boats as a demo for a year to a year and a half, but I had it made in the fall of 08 and I like it so much for the area I run in that I cant bring myself to get rid of it.

DR i'll buy it from u!!!!