In my search for a "real" mud rig, I've noticed that most have 18-22" sides. I currently have a 24" side hull and my last big boat was a 2070 Alweld with 30" sides. How do the lower side hulls perform in big deep water? Lots of over spray? Anyone take waves over the gunnels? I'm asking bc the waters I run are mostly large with shallow flats in he backwaters. I want to make sure I don't get soaked when it's 10 degrees out If I buy a hull with 18" sides.

I've got 21 inch sides and I occasionally get some spray when loaded but not too bad. You can get them built with higher sides of you like. There's also a spray crimp...I think that's what it's called anyways.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I have 24" sides, and for where I run they feel about right.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you run primarily somewhere that you use the term "big deep water" to describe it, don't get 18" sides. My rig is perfect for my uses at that height, but I don't use those terms to describe any of it. 24" is probably about right.

#CFFITR
#TheGhostBoat
#whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor

A 2 edged sword - tall sides catch wind and make it hard to hold a heading
in quartering wind - when waves are up you run quartering winds and when
the winds are howling you will catch spray in your face unless you run hard...

Tall sides do their best work on anchor and low speeds...

IMO - a good hull with floatation and 18" sides suits me best on big water

PS - No 2 MM brand designs perform the same so test drive a good MM hull and motor
combo before you buy !

I prefer not to be in a situation where I wind up needing the flotation, so that's not a point I feel needs to be mentioned in answer to the OP's questions. And if you're running in high enough winds where 6" extra side height makes it hard to hold a heading, the waves are gonna be too big to be running safely and intelligently with 18" sides. Lol
24" sides do get blown around a little more than lower sides when using a trolling motor, though. As far as spray, the higher sides will help, but the crimp (in regards to how the boat sheds water down low), how the boat hits the waves, and the wind direction and speed will have a larger effect on the spray getting you wet or not. Also the attitude of the boat (bow high or low, etc) makes a difference.


#CFFITR
#TheGhostBoat
#whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor

We run big rough water here I have 24 inch side and have never had any issues. My buddy has 18 inch sides and when he is loaded down it gets sketchy when it is rough.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

I've had from 16" to 24" and love my 24".

But main reason i did 24" is because the sheets are 4' wide. I have 4-5 6" strips 20' long laying around from doing 21" sides.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

24" sides here and I love them.