Guys,

I need a little advice from you all that know more then I do on the topics.

See the pic of my current rig. 1648 w/ 25 hp MB LT.


I love the setup, but I really need more space. Also I need a boat that can take somewhat rough water. I don't deal much with mud, mainly running rivers locally, which means sand, rock, and laid over trees. This weekend I got into a sticky situation on the river with the high winds we had in Kansas. Made me quite nervous and got to thinking about a different rig.

I really think if I would of had a true flat bottom mud hull, I would of really been in big trouble.

I really need to be able to carry 3 guys and gear, and possibly a 4th guy at times. So I want a bigger boat, but I also think I need to keep the longtail b/c of all the sandbars I run into.

Are the pointed front-end boats like this one viewtopic.php?f=63&t=11068 or I have seen Phowler is making one also that can be seen here viewtopic.php?f=63&t=11068 called the Extreme V good boats in rougher water? Can a LT be put on them? I was thinking about selling my whole rig and getting a "skiff" type of boat, and putting a 35 hp LT.


I really like the skiff in the mudmotor thread above, b/c it is wide open.

My main things I want are:

Ability to hold 3-4 guys and gear.
Take rougher water then a true flat bottom mud hull
Accept a Longtail due to the river being my main deal.

Learned a lot from you boys since I got my rig and appreciate in advance the advice. My boat and motor came from this website

Skiffs dont do well in wave's because they dont have alot of rake in the front.

Think of it like riding a kneeboard in rough water.

I dont know exactly what kind of boat you have their. But I run some pretty big rivers here in georgia, like the delta's and altamaha, and have done alot of it in a flat bottom boat.

Right now I run an express 1546 duck boat and I ain't happy. It had a V that really digs into the sand bars, and its too short. And like you the chop can get a little hairy.

Beleive it or not a long narrow hull, like say 1844 or 1948 or so with some nice high sides will do ok in moderately choppy conditions despite having a flat bottom. It's not as smooth as a V, but it will keep you afloat. And with a long tail you aint gonna go fast enough to take advantage of true V anyway.

I used to have an old homemade 1742 jon a few years back and kick myself in the ass everday for selling it. It could handle more chop than this express I have now, and it handled a lot better in river current too. Used to take it out on the red river in louisianna all the time. Sold it when I moved to georgia.

You could always for out for a nice tunnel hull and a jack plate too, that would get you pretty shallow on a sandy bottom. But I like LongTails myself.

I would say an 18 to 20' long narrow hull would suit what you need just fine. If you want a wider one, then yes you need a little V for some choppy water runnin. As long as you stay 48" or under though, a flat bottom should be fine.

How does that motor do on the back of that boat? That looks to be a tall transom

Takem, the boat is an old basstracker I believe. Not sure exactly what you are asking, but this is my first mud motor and boat so as far as I know it does well. With two guys and gear I can be on plane pretty easily and run decent speeds.

Check out this link: http://www.phowlerboatcompany.com/?page_id=37

Towards the bottom is the Extreme V boat. A boat like this would do what I want I think? You all's input????

I am not necessarily looking for high speeds, though I don't want to just plow through the water real slow either.

So a skiff is not a good idea.

A longer, more narrow boat would be the way to go or the Phowler type seen in the link above??

Anymore input would be greatly appreciated.

Get with a custom boat builder(theres alotta good ones out there,depending on your location)and tell them exactly what you are wanting the boat for and the terrain you run and im sure that they could give you some helpful suggestions. Phowler boats are nice though.

Call paul at phowler and ask him what he has for your type of running. I got a phowler extreme and I like it so far.

Get a self bailing mud boat hull and bring on the big water!!!

I have Pro Drive's SBX mainly bc the bays can get pretty rough with frontal weather, couldn't be happier...

I agree with callin an expert.

You might have a tough time planing out with a V and a longtail. I would avoid the V if you stick with a long tail.

And yeah man, a long narrow hull will perform better in rough water than you would think. NOW, thats not to say you could take it out in a 3 foot swell of course. But for a riverboat, I believe it would be the way to go.

BUY MINE

I talked with a guy from Phowler yesterday. He had a lot of good info.

He said they are making a 56" hull now that will handle loads like a 60", but performs like the more narrow boats.

Another thing he said was that the flat bottom hulls will take the rough water pretty well. He said they diver hunt out of their boats up on the great lakes.

Also, I was thinking I had to have a long tail, and he thought the short shaft was the way to go even with sand bars etc.

Thinking maybe about their 1856, and a 30-35 hp short shaft.

I travel the intracoastal canal here and the waves from tugs can get rather big. I have an 1848 with 18 in sides and have never had an issue. If anything, just go with some 21 in sides and you should be able to do everything you want. The flat actually takes the waves really well.

Ask willet about his Phowler V-hull...



LOL.

Here it is

viewtopic.php?f=63&t=13244


I'm getting around 30-31 with me by myself. With me and 2 others I'm getting around 26