No way !! Your hull flexes . Why would u weld down the middle. That will be the weakest point when it should be your strongest point. I don't have to have a one piece hull. I told phowler I'd prefer the sides welded and the bottom to be one piece. He said no so he lost any chance of me getting a boat from him. But it does not upset me after really looking at there boats there butt ugly ! My point is all the other boat builders had no problem making a three piece hull ( solid bottom welded on sides ) instead of a 2 piece hull ( with a weld down the middle )

My boat is a 4 piece hull and I love it. Solid bottom, welded on sides and welded on transom

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Step deck/ hunt deck transom will be another added on piece.

How long it take to get a wccustom from the time it was ordered to the time you picked it up

Ok cool ! Thanx

I have had my 1854 wc w 35 stock gatortail for a year now, and the rig has met or exceeded all of my expectations. When I talked to Pete about the build, he gave me great advise and built the boat I need for a stump filled lake like Tbend. The boat is a 3 piece because I wanted a 3/16' bottom and 1/8" sides, w/ sealed floatation. he can build what ever you want and does a great job. PM me if you want more details. I live 2.5 hrs from him and other than the initial visit and pickup of the boat, did not need to go there.

I don't have a WC but Pete is a stand up guy. All the boats I've seen in person that he built are top notch, I wouldn't hesitate to have him build one.

Thanks bassfco Nice looking boat !

I love mine and pete was great to deal with. Im thinking it took about 6 weeks to build.

The design I'm prolly going with us a lot like the F4 bull nose excel inception built a lot better. Triple tapered chine. He's gone above and beyond when I asked for a bid was very thorough. Iv heard nothing but good things from all his customers. He's really built a good reputation.

Because the middle of your boat flexes more then the sides. Maybe it's just me but I bet any true custom builder would prefer to weld on the sides instead of down the metal. The weld is your weakest point no matter how good it's welded. Metal bonded on metal is not as strong as one solid floor. It just gives me piece of mind.

We only do our highside 60" and larger hulls in 2 piece with center seam that is backed by a 3" wide X 1/4" thick continuous flat stock. The seam is solid welded outside and stitch welded inside. It is stronger then any 3 piece hull as the corner welds are the most vulnerable. I am a boat builder, we build them everyday so while appreciate your thoughts on a three piece, I know the engineering that goes into my hulls and that is one thing I will not compromise on. We have been building our two piece hulls for years and have never had a center seam crack or fail. That was from phowler. I don't doubt they know how to build boats but damn !

a seem down the middle will flex even potentially maybe crack over time ( it's a flat surface with a lot of area that will flex ) that's normal . Welds on the side are welded at a 90 degree angle that's flexes little if at all. Weld 2 flat pieces of aluminum together side by side and shake them vs 2 pieces welded at a 90 degree angle. Which is less likely to crack ? But any way my point is most custom builders will build the boat to your specs even if they tend to disagree with your idea to a certain degree that's what kind of surprised me. I'll give them this they stuck with there design. If I could get one solid hull I would but I can't with 24" sides.

I am not pushing prodigy, do not know as much about them as the older mfg's. But I get the impression (could be wrong) that they will build custom from your specs. And the BoatDr on here is a dealer for them. Andy knows his stuff and is local to NOLA. Might be a good thing to talk with him. Never know what you may find out. More information is always better for making a better decision.

I agree, get what you want instead of settling for what one mfg will only do.

I'm three hours from NOLA no where near Georgia . I really like the prodigy boats but prefer to deal with the builder face to face . Other then that it's a toss up between the 2 boats.

Say the bottom of the boat does all of the work. Assumes most of the flexure and bending. Transmits most of it's energy via the stringers and cross members. Then it makes sense that a solid 3/16 bottom is much stronger than a bottom with a single weld down the middle

I much rather have a solid bottom and two welded sides. Then again I over engineered and over designed both of my boats.

WC will build a custom boat at a great price. You get a lot for your money at WC.

Good luck !

^ thank you

You can get a 10'x20' sheet at Peirce. Going to be expensive but you could get a 72" bottom with 24" sides in a one piece hull.


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Non of the builders offer it. Or if do it. That's a wide piece of metal to haul around lol. If I built my own boats I'd do it for sure.

I'm sure you will be pleased with Pete. From the boats I've seen in person they have looked very good and very well built. What business I've done with him has been great and look forward to doing business with him in a few weeks.


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Getting you a wccustom ? Or other business?

Pete has my boat right now doing my motor work, i am also getting him to fab up a few things in my boat id didnt get from the dealer while he has it. He is deffinately easy to work with.

Wouldn't hurt to talk With RJ at Deadfowl custom boats and camo in Atlanta TX. (Duckhunterf250) on here.

Guy does an awesome job and just great to deal with throughout the process

I'll look into in. Never heard of him but worth a look thanx

Now that's a nice rig

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Did RJ build that trailer too? I flipping love that trailer. It looks roughly 39 times better than the galvanized junker that came with mine.

No I had magic tilt build it to my liking and have it delivered to RJ's.

For the Price, he could prob build it for you cheaper . (Not sure if he's into trailers)

Still chap's my ass that my winch post and side bunks came in galvanized. That will be getting powder coated here shortly.

That's makes no since to have an alum trailer and put galv on it. You would think they would know better.

Believe me I wouldn't have let them deliver it if I would have known that. Other then that, and two end frame caps that have sloppy welding im happy with it.

Rj will build you a trailer as well