Looking to get a new rig to hunt 3 and 4 on occasion. Cross big water every now and then. Some of the places we go are wildlife management areas limited to 10 hp. Want a boat for year round use. Can't decide between 17/50 and 18/50, I prefer a one piece with 21 sides. Looking for some outside advice kind of set between these two. Hunt primarily flooded timber and stumped mud sloughs, back waters full of buck.

Flip a coin.

What kind of motor will you be running?

Regardless I would go prodigy. Much nicer finish and they do things that Gatortrax will not. Ex: no false transom in hunt deck.

i'm biased with Prodigy. Love my boat.

where you live?

Prodigy. But limited to 10 hp, you're gonna need a couple small rigs to go with the big one...

Prodigy!! I love mine.

Prodigy builds some top notch boats, gt does aswell. I personally like the triple taper than round. I would definitely consider a smaller boat and load for a 10 hp. Or get a smaller boat and racks on your prodigy

Southern il, just north of where the Mississippi meets the ohio. Yeah I'm afraid of getting a smaller rig though because I really won't use it but for small jaunts to the hole. The limited hp runs are not very far, my buddy was talking about kitting out a 9.9 to a 15 on an outboard he has , is this possible with a mb.

Will probably run the mb 35.

You can put outboards on these boats, check out prodigyboats.com he's got some boats with outboards but you won't be setting any speed records with a 15. A 35 mb will move it nicely

The 35 is going on for sure. The only thing that I have against prodigy is the tapered chine vs the round but the boat looks cleaner and more finished . The only thing I would have to add to the base package on the elite is a blind and bow rails which are reasonable. Gator trax starts to get expensive when modding the boat the way I want it.

I love my gtrax, but I wish they would leave the hunt deck open for a couple reasons. I also like the way the rounded chines turn, but every time I've been in ice, I wish I had 3/16" bottom and chines and .125 sides.

If I was getting a new boat built, Prodigy would be building it. They're putting out some nice rigs.

Good to know about that chine thanks. Anybody have any recommendations on what to put on or leave off their rigs? I was wanting to add an 4th seat base in the bottom, but thinking of o hunt 4 occasionally a bucket will work just fine. One of those man if I had to do it again questions. Plan on buying and keeping for a long time want to get it right.

If i were to build a boat I wouldn't have any welded seat bases on floor.... there never where you need them, use the movable seat bases instead, also I would also have a open hull. If I had any boxes they would be removable. Just my thoughts on my own hull....... carry on.

I love my Prodigy so I am biased. My goal as to have a boat that was clean and wide open. The movable seats are really nice, Fixed fuel tank under the deck and out of the way etc. I do love the "catwalks" and shelves way more than I thought I would.

moveable seats?? please explain or a picture would be nice. and im thee same way never thought i would love the catwalks, dont think i could go without them now.

Check this link. The actual seats are not the best but the bases are awesome. Move them around or take them completely out. If you are in salt water there are other companies that make them out of aluminum but they are a lot more money. First thing I did with them is pull of the rubber feet and epoxy a dowel (had to sand it down slightly) inside the tubing so the tubing does not cut through the rubber foot.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/ ... t104341680

I put seat bases on my movable gun box and another one on a smaller utility box that I can also move. That way I have storage and seating taking up the same space. The only fixed seat mount is on my front deck. I take out or add seats or move them around depending on how many guys are hunting.

Boat blind down (2).JPG

Not mine.... but like this

^ welcome! Nice rig!

Phowler builds a full line of 40, 44, and 50" bottom jons and Prowler sneak boats that would be well suited for your area in SO IL. Might want to take a look at us also. We can put together a rig just the way you want it.

PW