I'm interested in buying one of phowler's sneak boats, a 1636. Just seeing if anyone around Louisiana, Texas, or Mississippi has one that I could go test ride one day. Looks like a pretty neat boat but I want to ride in one to make sure I like it before I spend the cash for one.

Also if anyone knows how a 23GTR would handle on it, please let me know.

you also might wanna see if paul will build you one with heavier guage alum lower(lower halves of the sides and bottom of the boat)because i think it said on one of pauls posts about it it had 90 ga. alum. and get him to brace the transom a lil bit mor to handle that gtr 23

Yea I remember reading somewhere about the aluminum thickness. I would definitely want to upgrade it to a thicker bottom for sure, along with the reinforced transom. I just wanna get a basic feel for the boat before I buy one

Copperhead/Hopkins in Covington, LA sells them and I'm sure would happy to take you for a test ride. I looked at them and the Copperhead sd's. Went by ther and talked to them in person. Very nice. Said just call in advance and let them know what I was interested in and they would set it up and take me out.

If it could handle the motor, that would be a bad ass one man rig in the timber and tight marsh.


You have got me wanting one now.

The sneak would be an awesome rig if it came In a 40 inch bottom to better fit the 23hp

Thanks for the replies guys. Yea I think something a little longer and a little wider would better suit the 23gtr, I just wanna see and ride in one first to see if I like the overall feeling and layout of the boat. Then I'll call Paul and maybe get a custom one built possibly. Hell, might just get it strong enough for a 35

A16x36 with the little hunt deck like is on that hull should float a 23 GTR no problem.
I would see if the would make the hull out of .100 or 125 and keep the top shell whatever it is.

That thing would be awesome for reversing most of it into the grass or brush then covering it up and layout hunting from it.

I bet that boat would scream with a 23 GTR on it! I ordered a 1636 that will be ready in May with an 18hp copperhead on it. I think the boat was rated for 20hp, but I'm not 100% on that. The copperhead only weighs about 100 lb less than the 23 GTR, so if you're not a big guy (I go like 275), having the 23 GTR shouldn't be much different than me driving my 18hp (LOL). I am located in WI, but if you're ever up this way I would be happy to take anyone who is interested for a ride.

About the thinner aluminum, from what I understand, the boat is designed to be as lightweight as possible. It's not really meant for running WOT through nasty stumps and timber. Paul told me that when you are running in a new area that may have stumps, just run a little above idle and if you get hung up, the boat is light enough that a burst on the throttle will get you over it. I will be using the boat for cat tail marsh which has few, if any, stumps. It does have a few levees to cross. I decided the light weight would be good to just jump out of the boat and drag it over the levee. I will be applying some gator glide and packing a pvc pipe or two to make that easier.

If you do get one, I'd be interested to hear how it runs with that GTR. A clutch and reverse sure would be nice. I'm spoiled by my 1760 w prodrive (also a phowler). Phowler makes fine boats and I'm sure you will enjoy owning one.

You made a good point about motor weight and driver weight. I only weigh about 140, so the extra 100 lbs for the gtr shouldn't me much of an issue if I'm thinking right.

Also, anybody know how tall the sides are on the sneak boat? Can't seem to find too many specs.

The way it's built with that cockpit, side height isn't as big a deal as a regular Jon boat.

Yea I know, but I'm just curious to know how tall the sides are before they angle back in towards the cockpit. Also how tall from the bottom of the boat to the top of the cockpit. Just trying to get an overall picture before I see one, that's all.