I typically hunt Tawakoni, which anyone around east Texas knows that it can be pretty ruff at times. I currently run a 17' weldcraft with a 75 hp merc with 25" tall sides and still have gotten in some sticky situations with 5'-6' waves. I now know not to go across the main part of the lake when the wind is greater than 15 mph. I plan on buying a mud boat this year probably 18' long (17' or 18' Gatortail with huntdeck). Most of the mudboats that i have looked at online only list 20"-21" tall sides. I am aware that you can order whatever side height that you want, but just not sure how tall to go. Thanks in advance for the input.

Questions:
What side height do i need?
What size waves to you feel comfortable running/what side height do you have?
Should I go 54" or 60" bottom with the boat stated above?
How many people around here are in Tyler, TX?
-Maybe we can hookup sometime and go hunting

Where the hell you seein 5-6 footers on Tawakoni? 2 to 3 maybe? Anyways, you can run a boat with 20-21 in sides in heavy water on that lake, just how to learn how to handle it. Sometimes you have to work your way back and forth to make it accross, but you can def do it without takin on too much water. Most of the manufactures will build your boat however you want it. I wouldn't mind havin a boat with the 24" sides for the situatuations your talkin about.
I'm in Rowlett, just about the same distance you are, just to the west instead of the east. Send me a pm sometime and we'll make a run. Maybe I can show you some areas where you can stay outta the wind a lil bit. I hunt all over ne tx. Follow the byrds.

I run whitecaps in a 18" sided boat with tall transom from time to time...... never felt threatened or unsafe. just know when to call it quits and stay off the main lake.

NOTHING LESS THAN 21" SIDES And nothing shorted than 20 FT.


how wide a bottom its up to you. I like wide but some guys like narrow. I have seen a 2036 step 900 lbs of men with a 27 so if you aint scared u can get a skiny boat. I'm scared...LOL...and go kids so i like wide and long.

If you want to ride send us ETx fellas some PM.....we always start riding this time of year.

Later

if ur in 5-6ft waves in a freshwater lake, u need to eithe stay in bed or launch on the other side.

u keep running rough water in a little boat
long enough it u gonna be a statistic.

I don't run anywhere from Two Mile Bridge with high wind....either side, especially when it is out of the south and you are to the north because it makes for a nasty ride back to the bridge. I've done it before, but it makes for a long, wet ride (the bad kind). I've got 21" sides and have run that lake in 3-4' swells. You're not gonna see 5 footers even with a 25-30 mph wind. I won't do it again even in 3-4'ers. Not that I couldn't, but because I've got other options. I'll hunt places where I don't have to fight the wind. Sink a boat at least once and you'll gain a pretty good appreciation of what is worth it and what is not. I've also run stumps big enough on that lake to make me feel pretty sure that with 18" sides I would have dipped into the water. 21" sides is sufficient, but if you insist on running in 3-4' swells, get at least a 20' boat with 24" sides, floatation and Dale Waters and Gary Miller's phone numbers so you can call them to come rescue you.

That lake is bad news with a strong south wind

X2 what Hizzy types 'bout the Indian Lake ..... That resovour will kill you !!

I appreciate the input. The waves may have not been 5' but they seemed like it at the time when i had water coming over the back of the boat. At that point i had no option but to get on step and beat the hell out of myself. Made the mistake of not checking the weather that day, which was calm when i went out that morning. But by about 10am it was 20+ mph and i had to cross the main part of the lake to get back.

I really don't want to have to get a 20' boat, so would it do any good to get an 18' boat with sides greater than 21" tall?

I have been in a 1660 with short sides in 2-4 ft waves and we did ok. you will get wet but the 60 wide helps keep you from cutting the wave and you roll over them fairly well.

If you go 1860 you will be fine as long and the sides are 20+ and you are not loaded with 2K lbs.

I can tell you that when you have 2K lbs in a boat you will take waves over the front, the sides, and the back all at the same time. It goes from a BOAT to a TANK and you take water in everywhere....not fun

good luck and test drive plenty before you spend the money.

Doubtful that you have ever seen that lake with that tall of waves...I am on that lake alot and run an 1848 with 24" sides. Never been worried, never taken a big one over the bow, and you can ask the guys that ride in my boat, that they have never even gotten very wet. Learn where to launch from and learn the whole lake so that you have spots that are somewhat protected no matter what the wind is throwing at you that day....All that being said, I've crossed the lake in some bad shit with no flotation and never really felt threatened by the water. Course I drove boats with 15" sides and a longtail for 7-8 years prior to this one, so it would take some major shit to get me worried in this rig..compared to the longtail rig this thing is like an aircraft carrier.

Get flotation! I run open bays all the time but if its blowing over 20 I keep my arse at home... Or take the bigger boat. No sense in getting in over your head. 5-6 in a lake? wow!

I do see some big tanker waves when cutting across some of the spoils around the ICW and those are big enough for me... I'm running an 1860 w/ flotation and its a VERY stable boat.

Heres a crappy cell pic.

Are there any boat landings on the north end or the east side of the lake that are open at 4:00 am? I know there are some parks on the east side but i don't think they are open that early in the morning. I could be wrong though.

Thats a purdy daggum neat boathull !!! As fo me .... I like me sum 24"
sides !!!

I dont want to be runnin 6' waves in a 110'er.

A tall transom boat is probably just as important if not more than side height for running big water. You can sink a boat from the back very easy in rough water. Just another thought for ya.

good gosh, can we please provide anymore information for the cyberscouters reading your every word?

I am a big fan of the 24" sides too. we run a lot of sloughs and when you come ove some of those cypress knees it keeps the water out. They may be over kill but i cant see how they hurt anything either. 1748 X 24 Phowler extreme. It looks like a bathtub but runs fast and slips through the timber nicely but still not afraid to run the big water.

With a 20" side, you can roll a boat over a stump that is just at the surface and not take on any water. The farther the stump sticks up ......the taller the sides need to be.


My sides are 21" and I can roll over anything that I can see just above the surface