Finally got my 1854 boat from Brother a week ago today. I'll post pictures later.

Here's the details...

18" front deck (no casting deck)
Regular transom
24" sides
3/16th flat bottom
1/8th sides crimped
Square chine
Full floor
2" drain plug
Drivers seat box
36" box for two cooking burners and propane tank
No seat bases
Removable drivers handle
2 spud pole holders (front and back)
No electrical or lights (yet)
Hybrid camo- Brown Mirage background and Mossy Oak Shadow Grass leaves
35GTR (stock)
PopUp brand collapsible blind on it.

Its a very basic boat that is wide open for hauling large amounts of gear.

I ran it for the first time on Friday... With 3 guys, 1 dog, and 300+/- pounds of gear it ran 16mph in deep water. With just me and the gear in the boat, it ran 23mph in deep water. Although I did get in the shallows there wasn't an opportunity to check the speed there. It was 16 degrees and we had a 20mph North wind, so there was a lot of ice build up on the boat.

I'll post more as soon as I get it out on the water again.

Sounds sweet post some pics

Sweet! Pics?

You should be getting better speeds than that though I would think..

my 18x48 does about 28 with me(165) dog (90) and 12 gal. of gas.... loaded the other day with 90 herters dekes and blind (iced up) I was getting around 20

I think I need mods...

The boat hits 24 in the shallows on a calm day. I really put the boat through the paces last week and it performs well... minus the speed.

You cant have a tank with a 3/16 bottom and every luxury known to man and expect it to run 30 stock.

I don't expect it to anything more than what its doing. I'm not complaining one bit. I can say that it performs much better than my 1754 excel and my 175? gatortrax with the same motor, despite being heavier and longer. I think it has to do with the rake.

I ran it for a couple of hours this weekend and was able to get 21 consistently with two big guys. It ocassionally hit up to 24 in shallow water with the wind at my back.

As long as it planes out easy (it does) the top end speed isn't a major concern. I've been thinking about mods anyway... now I just need someone to do them.

One thing I noticed is that it porpoises bad with just me in the boat (no gear). As soon as you put one guy up front it handles really well. I'm very happy so far. I guess if I'm out alone, then I need to put any gear forward or throw a 100lb tractor weight in the bow.

I still can't get my pics to post... sorry.

That boat has more material in it than almost every other boat made. put it on a scale you'll be shocked.

Get a little upgrade on that motor and those loaded numbers will change drastically.

Here are the pics and an update... I'm consistently running 21-26 now. I didn't do anything other than remove the blind. Here are some pics from last night before I dropped it off to get the bowfishing platform built.

A few more pics.

What are your RPMs @ full throttle in neutral?

4100

Turn it up to 4300

I'll try that.

I took the motor down to the closest Briggs Dealer and they said they wouldn't work on it. They said they won't touch a boat motor even if it is a B&S. Now I need to find someone to do the mods that has a clue.

Sick ass wheels lol

I had no idea those wheels would be so crazy until I picked it up... The only thing they are missing is spinners.

I like the wheels, they would go good on my trailer with it being powder coated black, wanna trade for some alluminim ones, Ill pay the freight.

Jaimie B.- PM me. Interested.

a big front deck will keep your front end down... get you some mods on that motor. im running almost the same boat but with a bigger front deck. a WC Custom 1854 with 3/16 bottom and so far im hitting 31-32 in windy conditions in deep water with 2 ppl. havent gotten it in any shallow water yet. still getting the motor broke in.

You couldnt go to the boat ramps in my neck of the woods with those rims...well you could....you just couldn't leave with them...every brotha in the hood would shank them

Something dont add up to me. Maybe I missed something in the skimming of this thread. I know someone with a 3/16" bottom, 1/8" sides stock motor that was running constantly in high 20's. Like 28mph. Hell my 25gtr ran a constant 23mph with 6 guys in it in shallow water.

How do you like those rubber latches?

Love them.

Like your boat. Very nice rig. Like the short deck.

Turn the rpm's up, play with pin position.

Where is your fuel tank? If its in one of the seats, that is your part of your porpoise problem. Too much weight back.

Don't add weight to a nice rig, move the weight. If you have a tank in the seat, run it empty or dang near empty. Get a fuel hose that is long enough to reach where the rake starts angling up and a plastic tank, put the tank up front and and run it that way. Move that tank around until you find the sweet spot. That boat should run like a striped ass ape.

I played with the boat a lot this weekend... i bent the tabs down 1/4" on the back and eliminated the porposing without a load. I also picked up 1.3-1.5mph (gps'd).

Try a magnet baw

I did but it wanted to stick and didnt want to stick so I gave up.

Lol. Ok. I was thinkin too if it was stainless ur screwed too. Lol

Since several of you have PM'd about where I got the latches...

http://www.realworktrucks.com/rubber-ho ... -inch.html

I put the blind on it today, and figured I'd post some pictures ready to hunt. Headed to North Dakota next week...

A few more

and some more...

Final time

Very nice setup. Love the open design and the blind is awesome. I orphaned out a couple of items on my custom build. I can't find anyone in Miami that can match the craftsmanship of the La boat builders.

Based on my experience running a heavy 1854 with a 35 gtr. with a little work you can see 28 mph consistently.

I got mine up to 30 but hit so many stumps and rocks I'm down to 26 mph.

Enjoy your new rig !!