I'm working on getting my first custom boat I want to be able to hunt and fish out of it. Realistically I will probably only hunt 3 -4 people out of it but fishing will be family trips I have 3 kids my wife and my self. I'm thinking 1754 or 1854 we do get in the timber some that's what concerns me but we aren't there a lot also trying to decide if I should do a hunt deck or not since it will take away from boat size. Any feed back is great appreciated. It will be powered by a 36hp PD BTW


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Get a 1854 before the 1754. I can hunt three to four but a 18 would be so much better, It just wouldn't fit in garage, and I mainly hunt two to three. As for the deck, the fishtail is sweet for the pd. To me I don't loose space with my huntdeck, place for a bow, blind bags, etc. And easier to get in and out, also for dog is plus. You could even do a 1948 if you wanted to run timber. You won't be disappointed with prodigy

I have a prodigy 1854 and I can still get into so tight places and you don't loose any space with the hunt deck . I would go with the 1854 for the load the space is nice with 3 or 4 guys. I am running a 50 mercury on mine for this season and I run 30 with 3 guys, decoys and dog and im happy with the way the boat runs. Chad is a really good guy to deal with too. Good luck

1854 is what I went with. Thought it was a tad to big but have since hunted three out of it and run with five in it. The extra size makes carrying a load so much better. I do think you lose a little top end when running it solo but I think it is good trade off.

Yeah I don't plan to modify the engine any time either so I don't wanna get something the motor can push. And SR when I say lose space I'm talking about how an 1854 no hunt deck has the entire floor open but with the hunt deck it's from the back of the deck to bow so you would lose some space


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You still lose space due to the motor handle. Might as well do the hunt deck to keep water out of the boat. The hunt deck is a feature I would not do without.

Thanks for the feedback prob be a 1754 with hunt deck, half box and gun box


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Keep in mind with a Prodigy the length includes the huntdeck. So a 1754 will be 17ft from the bow to stern. I run an 1854 btw and love that size.

17 if you spend 90% of your time running solo.....otherwise get the 18. The 18 will float better with a load and be easier for your stock motor to push.

If you're staying stock, you're looking at mid-20's regardless, so get the boat that will benefit you the most.

I'm on my 3rd 18'er and won't get one shorter.

And I thought I had made my mind up in 17 I really want the room of 18 just worried the stock pd won't push the 18


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It is asking a lot of a stock motor to push any 54" wide boat with 3-4 adults and all gear etc. Speaking from experience u should keep the boat as light as possible and you will want carb, heads, exhaust down the road. I have guys running 48" flat rake boats w stock motors w very good performance and load carrying. My 1854 w a bd4400 will haul 3-4 no problem..... Stock motor would be hurting tho.

Maybe I should go skinnier then. It's going to be an open hull design just maybe half box and gun box. I just really wanted the stability and room of the wider hull.


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Right now I'm dealing with a 1645 with a stock 23 which is under powered and that's the last thing I want to deal with again


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if you hunt timber keep skinny. i have a 1748 which is perfect for me in timber. 1848 would have been good too but i wouldnt go wider.

We hunt a lot of river marsh and stump fields very occasionally do we get to get in the timber


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i have a 1848 duckbill. Its perfect for 3 people. 4 is tight. I have the hunt deck and LOVE it. its so nice to have when you are in and out of the boat a lot or if you hunt with a dog. I hunt timer, stumps, and vegetation. I am very glad i went with the 18 and not the 17. Its not hard to get through the timber and its always nice to have an extra 1' of room. I wouldn't have any other boat but Prodigy.

Yes I've heard nothing but good things about prodigy. I'm really hoping this can work out just not sure which size to go with now I was pretty sold on an 1854 but now I am slightly concerned


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I would hey the size boat you want and mod the motor as you go. A 1854 with heads and exhaust will be a machine.

I have a Gtrax 1754 Hunt deck (which is actually 18'8" OAL) with a pure stock gtr35. It pops on plane no problem with 3 guys, 78lbs lab, 3-4doz decoys, blind. etc. I don't run mud, so I can't comment on that.

1854 if I can then and consider doing some mods. What mods cause the least issues down the road?


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This^^^ Heads because they will leak sooner or later.

Right now on my 1645 with a 23 SD I'm only running 19-20 with my 8 year old and me and 14-15 loaded will be able to at least get that stock


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I'm running gtb 1754. Love it, but should go with 18 with 4. It's great with 3 and dog but add a fourth and it's crowded. Just my .02


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If you are on the fence on width, Prodigy makes a 51" wide that is a great size!