Hello everyone, Im new to the site so still figuring everything out. I have a few questions on hull selection. I have a 2009 35hp GatorTail and would like to get a GatorTail hull to match. I live in Southwest FL (Venice) but hunt Lake Okeechobee mostly which is marsh with sandy bottom for the most part. I am looking at 1748 or 1648 Gator Series vs Extreme. I run 2 people, cooler, 4 dozen decoys, 2 batteries, guns ammo, and about 75 lbs more of equipment. Looking to ride shallow and with 5-8 mile runs faster is better but not my main concern I can leave 3 minutes earlier. My questions are:

Does anyone live in Southwest FL where I could ride in one?

Would a Gator series 48 with hunt deck slide significantly more with hunt deck and hunt load?

Thanks everyone.

If you are looking for speeds, more than load carrying and you will mostly only run 2 people in the boat, get the 16x48 and roll out. I've got a 16x48 alweld and I love it.
Searching this site, on different boats will tell you everything you are wanting to know and then some.

To answer your second question, yes...it will slide significantly more

You will get better performance out of a longer hull I suggest an 18x48. It will go through the same conditions as a 16/17footer will. The speeds will all be similar unloaded but the 18 will carry the load better.

If your on my choices are 17 and 16 go 17!!! I have an18x48 gt extreme and wouldn't do it any different.

17 definitely

Thanks for the information guys. I wish more people had mud motor setups here in southwest Florida so I could test them out. Just trying to decide so I put order in a hopefully get it before season starts. As stated before my motor is a 2009 35hp.Any mods recommend, it only has 85 hours on it. I have been searching for days on here for information there is just so much information to sift though. Trying not to be a pain in the azz...

Get your heads worked and gut your exhaust. That's the best bang for your buck. Then you can either add cam/carb or both if you want more.

Get ahold of Sid at Fast Duck motors. He will help get ya figured out!! GREAT guy, tons of help, and knows florida waters and what you want to run...

http://www.fastduckmotors.com/

We run a 17 X48 GT CC with a 35 in our marsh. On a normal morning its 3 guys (all over 220) , 2 dogs and all of our equipment. Boat preforms great considering the load.

Definitely go 17 minimum. If I would buy my boat again I would go 18 ft even with my 23. After running a few seasons with mine 17 feels kind of short. I can put my 17' boat anywhere I went with my 14' boat. The 17' just does it better

I live in Okeechobee, hunt okeechobee. I have a 17x50 Deep South, with hunt deck. 35hp with mods from Sid. [ Fast Duck Motors} He is one of the best Men i have meet or dealt with. Buy the hull from him. Quiz him on all of it. But knowing now i would have at least an 18x54.