I have a short shaft 27PD motor and am looking to upgrade from my existing 1648 0.080 hull. I was looking to do a 1648 or 1748 in 0.125", completely open floor plan with one small box with seat base for the driver. Any and all ideas are appreciated. This is going to be my only boat build and I want to get it right the first time (or as close as I can to right). The Gator-tail base model 1648 is pretty darn close to what I want, but they are all tall transom boats.

I have a list of questions:
-What is the best type of chine to have with this boat/motor setup? Rounded, square, ect??
-Is 1648 or 1748 the best size hull for the 27PD? (I don't want/need an 18 foot boat, I need something somewhat light and easy to hide).
-Can I get away with 0.100" on the hull and still be durable enough to jump beaver dams to save some weight?

List of builders or ready made boats that you would recommend?

If you can keep the weight down, that 27 will do fine.
What do you plan to do with the boat?
What is your typical load?
What type of areas do you run?
How long do you plan to keep it?
Do you plan on getting a big block motor down the road?
Budget?

I have .100 1744 tapred chine with a 23. I would say boat is about perfect size for a smaller Sd. My next boat will be 3/16 bottom as the .100 has dents from slowly rolling over stumps and hitting rocks. I wouldn't mind sacrificing a mph or 2 for something that wont dent easily. I wouldnt want to jump beaver dams with my boat. .100 is great for muddy rivers and marshes but i would go heavier.

We don't have mud like yall have in LA, but we hunt some very shallow areas with muddy bottoms, have to regularly jump small beaver dams, the occasional stump. My 0.080 hull has held up to the abuse for 4 years, but its getting trashed pretty bad at this point.

If I were to upgrade motors it would be to the EFI 27PD.

I loved my kohler and she was quick behind my 1636 skiff. If I would do it again, 1740 or 1742 with a 3/16 bottom, square chine, open layout.

Is there a big difference between the square or rounded chine?

Square chines are faster and draft less but they tend to slide more. On a narrow hull, it is easier to shift your weight to get a hull to bite in turns. They will all slide in the shallows.

Go no smaller than 18x42, You will want a 36 one day.

I already have a 18' center console with outboard boat for fishing. I would like to stay with a smaller boat that is easier to hide and maneuver in tight areas.

I've seen one that ran really well on a 1738 Geaux custom. They aren't in business anymore. But it was a pretty barebones 1/8, 1 piece, round chine hull.

What about a 1656 go-devil hull?

I can put my 1744 EVERYWHERE I put my 1448 dont fear a longer boat you will be surprised. Dont go shorter than 16'

So where to get a 1648 0.125" hull? Just a plain-jane hull.

I don't care if its custom or not, I just want a simple/open 0.125" 1648.

I sent Dfou a msg this morning. I'll msg those others you mentioned.

Thank you.

Go devil and gatortrax wouldn't be bad hulls to have either if you didn't want to go custom.

Well if you getting a pd I would see about a pd hull.


Sent from my beeper

I already have a 27PD and a big (too big for what I hunt) go-devil hull (and a light weldbuilt hull). Just wanting to get back to a skinny-er/lighter boat.

Go-Devil hull just weighs too much for my little PD and is hard to hide due to the width. Also want more open room.

The weldbuilt is just 0.080 and not durable enough.

Well a pd hull is made for a pd so it might be a perfect match.


Sent from my beeper

I can get the same size/options from Prodigy cheaper than the PD hull. I like the PD hulls, but their prices are a good bit higher than most for the same options. And if you price it from Extreme Metal Fab its even cheaper. Guess I am looking for the best price on the hull and I would rather throw the "little man" a bone if I can over the big name boats.

why don't you just keep the new hull you got and just try it out! never know you might like the extra room.