It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 3:53 am




Reply to topic  [ 33 posts ] 
 Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo! 
Author Message
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Newbie here to MMT. Glad I found it!

My wife has given me the green light to purchase a Prodrive for fishing/hunting. My brother has two PD rigs, both with 36 HP...one a Kohler the other a Vanguard. The Kohler is on a 17x52? rig built by Sportsman's Fabrication in Morgan City (behind Ivy's). It has tiller steer, hydraulic tilt/reverse and runs forever on a tank of gas. (Speaking from experience since I borrow it when I come to town) The hull seems very heavy and stout. But, basically it's an open boat except for the driver seat, front deck, and two short side storage boxes behind the front deck.

His other is a ProDrive 17x54 center console, rigged out to the tee with trolling motor, gun box, blah, blah, blah...with the Vanguard. He says the Vanguard gets half the fuel economy of the Kohler. I'm sure he's stretching it a bit with "half."

I plan to fish and duck hunt. I would prefer the "comfort" of the CC for fishing but am wondering if the hull has anything to do with the fuel economy vs. the motor? Has anybody experienced fuel economy difference between the two motors on the same boat? I keep reading about the "tall transom" in other posts. What will get me through the skinniest waters(or lack of water) with the best fuel economy?

Any suggestions, thoughts, ideas would be greatly appreciated.


Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:45 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Oh yeah...before anybody suggests it...I hate to keep borrowing his boats!
:lol:


Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:46 pm
Profile
MMT Pro Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Nov 18, 2009 6:13 pm
Posts: 409
Location: ct
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
the kohler does get better fuel if you are comparing hp to hp

_________________
Life is like rolling the Dice


Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:49 pm
Profile
MMT Sponsor

Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:07 pm
Posts: 16608
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
If you want a rig that gets you everywhere your barking up the wrong tree!! Lol unlike your brother be smart and get one boat that does it all get your self a GATOR-TAIL!!!

_________________
17x48 extreme stage 2 GTR
20X60 DUAL RIG BOWFISHING ADDITION
http://www.scalesandtailsbowfishing.com


Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:53 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
I'm sure asking "what brand motor is the best" is like asking "which brand truck is the best."

:mrgreen:


Tue Feb 07, 2012 8:19 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:25 pm
Posts: 1407
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
wait for the new mb sport put it on a pd cc < somebody was going to say it > lol

_________________
driving a gd in ur lake
and i aprove this message


Tue Feb 07, 2012 9:53 pm
Profile
MMT Addict

Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:17 pm
Posts: 617
Location: Idaho
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
For what it's worth, I have been pleased with my Phowler 1852 powered by stock 36 HP Prodrive. You should include this brand of boats in your research. Phowler will customize any design you want, i.e., console / remote steer, etc.

As for fuel economy, my tip for you would be to resist filling the boat up with heavy custom accessories like boxes. Those will cut into useable floor space, slow you down and cut into fuel economy.

On your first custom built boat you will want to build everything but the kitchen sink into it. I am now on my fourth boat and I've got it down to a bare and simple layout.


Wed Feb 08, 2012 9:02 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:02 pm
Posts: 4534
Location: South Louisiana
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Think a little :roll:

_________________
17/54 GT EXTREME Center Console, Huntdeck w/ GTR 35

Hoyt Mods and some other goodies


Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:16 am
Profile
MMT Elite Member

Joined: Wed Mar 11, 2009 12:45 pm
Posts: 9869
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Damn Jimmy, I don't know how you would get by without emoticons.


Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:20 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm
Posts: 2260
Location: Lafayette
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Is your brother's 36 one of the new marine powerheads? I had a CC boat like his, and noticed a difference in fuel economy when I went to CC. Couldn't tell you why, but I will say this, I'd much rather burn a few extra gallons and have a center console.

_________________
24x60 Dual Prodrives


Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:05 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm
Posts: 2260
Location: Lafayette
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!

_________________
24x60 Dual Prodrives


Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:07 am
Profile
MMT Sponsor

Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:07 pm
Posts: 16608
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!

_________________
17x48 extreme stage 2 GTR
20X60 DUAL RIG BOWFISHING ADDITION
http://www.scalesandtailsbowfishing.com


Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:38 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm
Posts: 2260
Location: Lafayette
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
At least you're on topic with the last statement :lol:

_________________
24x60 Dual Prodrives


Wed Feb 08, 2012 11:51 am
Profile
MMT Sponsor

Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 7:07 pm
Posts: 16608
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Crews you can still go fuck yourself!!

_________________
17x48 extreme stage 2 GTR
20X60 DUAL RIG BOWFISHING ADDITION
http://www.scalesandtailsbowfishing.com


Wed Feb 08, 2012 12:29 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Brother's CC is definetly all new...had it built probably around October?

As for the cost of fuel...I drive a 16 mpg diesel pickup truck 34 miles each way to work five days a week....and work for an oil refiner. Top that off with a 400 mile round trip drive twice every other weekend so my stepkids can visit their dad. So, I spend some people's monthly income on fuel, already. If you want to burn more fuel, please do. It will increase my bonus every year.

I was seriously impressed with the fuel economy his Kohler gets. My wife and I fished/rode around all day in Dulac/Cocodrie area and burned less than 3 gallons of gas. Not really worried about the fuel economy other than if there is something in a hull design that will greatly benefit fuel economy, I'll take it....ergo a Sportsman's Fab hull vs. a Prodrive hull?


Wed Feb 08, 2012 10:31 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 8:02 pm
Posts: 4534
Location: South Louisiana
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!

_________________
17/54 GT EXTREME Center Console, Huntdeck w/ GTR 35

Hoyt Mods and some other goodies


Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:10 am
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm
Posts: 2260
Location: Lafayette
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
In any instance, I never could decide if it had something to do with the remote throttle or the new powerhead that turns higher rpm's..... But I did notice my CC boat burned more gas. I guess what I'm trying to say is, if a console fits your needs, it's well worth burning a few extra gallons.

But I really don't think it would have anything to do with the actual hull design.

_________________
24x60 Dual Prodrives


Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:13 am
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:23 am
Posts: 6233
Location: Tarkington, TX
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
In any instance, the fuel consumption is still better than an equally rated HP normal outboard motor.

_________________
Bayou Surface Drive
337-351-0362
Tarkington, TX 77327


Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:15 am
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
So what about hull width and length? 54" wide? 60" wide? 17' length? 18' length? Sides and transom height? What should I be looking to get? What are the advantages/disadvantages of the differences?

Thanks to all that are being patient with me and providing some relavent info. Don't want to jump into this without doing some homework...I'm sure I'm looking at a $20K+ investment between boat, motor, trailer, and options.


Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:14 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm
Posts: 2260
Location: Lafayette
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
If it were me, I'd either get a 17x54 or a 18x48. Lots of folks have both of those sizes and are happy with them To me, 60" is a little too wide for a single motor, but there are people that have 60" wide boats with a single motor and they are happy with it.

_________________
24x60 Dual Prodrives


Thu Feb 09, 2012 8:19 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:25 pm
Posts: 1407
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
all kidding aside I love my 18x54 runs 27 all day long and its a cc with a 36 with all the bells

And I drive a pd and approve this message

_________________
driving a gd in ur lake
and i aprove this message


Thu Feb 09, 2012 10:37 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jan 13, 2011 7:32 am
Posts: 5210
Location: Beaumont Texas
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
I've got an 09 Prodrive 17x54...im gonna add a hunt deck....for ease of getting in boat and as a wake buffer......one of the things you may want to consider.

_________________
You can't see the sunrise if your eyes are closed.
dying aint much of a livin....

Black ops IITX marshstalker


1840 WC www.wccustomboats.com
fuel injected 25 GTR


Fri Feb 10, 2012 7:48 am
Profile
MMT Pro Member
User avatar

Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2011 12:02 pm
Posts: 145
Location: SoCal via WI
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!


Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:16 am
Profile
MMT Pro Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:37 pm
Posts: 210
Location: knotts Island nc
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
1854 with 36pd is a good combo.plenty of room and carry's a load good.

_________________
1854 pd with 36fpr


Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:24 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club

Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 9:07 pm
Posts: 2260
Location: Lafayette
Post Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Lots of folks like 54" wide boats. My favorite is a 18x48 because it turns a tiny bit better.

_________________
24x60 Dual Prodrives


Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:31 pm
Profile
MMT Pro Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:37 pm
Posts: 210
Location: knotts Island nc
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
I hear that,take's alittle getting used to those square chine's.

_________________
1854 pd with 36fpr


Fri Feb 10, 2012 1:46 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!


Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:16 pm
Profile
MMT Elite Member
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 06, 2012 6:13 pm
Posts: 5605
Location: D'town, LA
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
Like the dry storage up front with the fixed fuel tank. Don't like the two storage boxes which come down each side from front. Don't like the location of the pedestal seat base..too close to bow. Maybe should have been mounted on the dry storage lid? When fishing from the pedestal seat and working the trolling motor, I feel like I'm about to fall off the front of the boat.20120107105539(2).jpg20111126134718(2).jpg


You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.


Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:33 pm
Profile
MMT 1000 Club
User avatar

Joined: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:25 pm
Posts: 1407
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
pd does not do square chine any more they do a taper now

_________________
driving a gd in ur lake
and i aprove this message


Fri Feb 10, 2012 9:41 pm
Profile
MMT Addict

Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:17 pm
Posts: 617
Location: Idaho
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
That SF hull looks very heavy with all of those boxes in it. Trust me, having all of your stuff tucked away in boxes is highly overrated for what it costs you in weight / speed. I have a single gun box on my boat that contains tools, life jackets, and misc. I put my guns in a Mud Buddy Splash gun case / sleeve which is considerably lighter than having a second gun box.

Our typical hunt load consists of two layout blinds, two dogs, 4-5 dz duck decoys, 6 to 24 goose floaters / fullbodies and two guys. I like the open floorplan myself.

As for hull size, I have owned five 18' length boats in 44", 50", 52" and 54" widths. I am torn between the 1852/1854 for load carrying and the 1848 for speed. If your loads are lighter, go 1848. If you tend to want to carry everything but the kitchen sink (like me) you should put more hull on the water to carry the load.

One more thing. I have had the opportunity to run two different identical boats, powered the same, in 18' and 20' lengths. In both cases, the 20 footers planed out faster and ended up running just as fast as the 18 footers, if not faster. Length can be your friend. I might well be running a 2048 if I had the room to put it in my garage.

Food for thought.


Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:25 am
Profile
MMT Addict

Joined: Sat Jan 17, 2009 7:17 pm
Posts: 617
Location: Idaho
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!


Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:29 am
Profile
MMT F.E.
User avatar

Joined: Mon Feb 01, 2010 11:01 am
Posts: 881
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!
No one else has mentioned this but don't think he has a 36 Kohler and a 36 Vanguard PD.

I don't believe Kohler makes a 36. The Kohler PD is a 27.

As far as gas consumption goes, you aren't comparing apples to apples. Those are two different motors on two different boats.

You even note the PD boat with the 36 is a cc (more weight), gun boxes etc... that is a heavy boat with a bigger motor. Of course it will be more gas.

You have to factor boat weight, load in boat, size of motor, mod's to motor, etc to actually make any sort of comparison as to gas mileage. Weight of boat can be effected by many factors including the thickness of the aluminum to make it, size, options in the boat.

You also did not address how it was driven. Driving a boat wide open all day vs cruising around at half to 3/4 throttle can make a difference as well. Bottom line is you aren't comparing apples to apples.

I think what Crews is saying is pick out the boat that meets your needs the best. Speed, load handling capabilities, comfort, cost, etc... and just buy it. The gas consumption difference overall will be insignificant.

The other point being made is that after going thru a few boats most people have learned all the extra storage boxes and stuff just clutter up the boat, add more weight to boat (thus effecting performance), and cause you to carry a bunch of crap you don't really need (more weight in boat). These motor and boat combos are extremely sensitive to weight and weight distribution (very very important). They do not perform like an outboard. It takes a while to learn that.

As far as an all around boat goes, the 18X48 PD cc is a great way to go. Get the hyrdo trim and reverse if the budget allows.

As far as the boat itself goes, either a custom boat from one of the custom "mud boat" builders (Garret Pearce builds a really nice boat) on here or the PD boat.

Good luck on your choice. Do your reserch (a lot of research-use the search feature) and you will be happy...


Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:58 am
Profile
MMT Pro Member
User avatar

Joined: Sun Aug 02, 2009 7:37 pm
Posts: 210
Location: knotts Island nc
Post Re: Help Me Pick a Boat/Prodrive Combo!

_________________
1854 pd with 36fpr


Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:36 pm
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 33 posts ] 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 190 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to: