I am getting conflicting reports here. Shoot me your input.
I need to carry 3-4 people with gear for duck hunting. I will mostly be in deep water with stumps and occasionally running in shallow mud and heavy grass. I have a 1654 PD with a 27 PD and that just won't get up on step with 3 people. Should I go longer and narrow or longer and wide on a new hull? Also, I will be hanging a 35 or 36 on the back. Which motor would be best for these stumpy applications? I have a PD dealer close by and a MB dealer as well. I really like GT too.
Last question, I like hunting out of a hunt deck boat. Should I pursue a boat with a drop deck? Other than interior space, will it help performance?

i have a good buddy with a 35 on a 1654 that will run 3 people deeks an a dog around 23 24 mph im thinkin unless you wana new boat just get a a 35 or 36 and see what it will do. my buddy's is a ribbed boat too so with that pd boat it should run on purty good, just my 2 cents.although alot of guy n here swear the 18ftrs will carry a load better? idk not had a long boat with a mud motor before, but i can see were length will help, my 15ftr struggles with 3 ppl purty bad.

a 17x54 or 18x48 should get the job done with that load runnin a stock 35/36. pretty much any motor is gonna perform good with that load on one of those boats. the hull makes a huge difference is load carryin capability.

I can get 21-23 with 2 guys, a dog and all hunting gear. That's on a brand new prop and these guys don't miss any meals.

i have a 1854pd with 36 and it pushes 3 guy's 5 dozen dec's and my dog 22-23 mph and has plenty of room and it's center console.

My rig can hit 25 with 3 people and duck gear. Just running an aftermarket exhaust right now.

I can run 30-31 with 3 guys, dog, 7 doz herters 72's, 1 doz foot floaters, 2 propane heaters, dog step, blind, camoflex limbs, full gas, food cooler plus each guys gear.. That's on an 1848 w/ a 36 PD and a 2 y/o prop.. That's in the main channel (20'-30' of water)

35 HP GTR - 1754 Gator Trax boat

I've got walk thru bench design with a gun box and rear half box, extended deck and two batteries.

27 MPH : empty boat
25 MPH : 2 men/dog/gear
23 MPH : 3 men/dog/gear

I haven't hunted 4 men yet but I would say around 19-20 MPH.

My speed is always pretty good but when you get 3 or 4 people in the boat it takes a little longer to get on step.

A 1754 gtb with a 35hp gtr with 3 people and all the extras i run 26mph and i have no problems getting where i needa be

no his motor is not stock...but it is for sale in the classifieds..good price on it too!

tell your buddies to quit being cheap asses and buy them a boat.