Just picked up a 36 prodrive and need a new hull to put it on but having a very hard time finding a mud hull here in Texas (drove 7hrs to get the motor from baton rouge) , it's making me consider a grizzly 1754 since they are readily available. Obviously this will not perform like a true flat bottom mud hull but since I'm running a lot of deep water and very small amounts of mud, I think it would work well since ill be able to cut through chop easily. Also planning to gator glide. Only reason I'm holding off on a custom is I want to be sure of what I want before I order one. Anyone else running a similar setup? Will I still be able to run shallow or is it pointless?

Im running a PD on an 1860 lowe. Far from a true mud hull. When I got the motor it was ok stock. I ended up doing the heads and now a carb because it wouldn't handle a hunt load like if it was on a proper hull. Also 2.5 seasons of use on a light, riveted hull hasnt been real kind on the hull. So yes the grizzly will work but if it were me in your shoes I would wait and try and get the right hull for that motor.

Motor has heads and exhuast already. I would get a prodrive hull if I could get one but they aren't just on every corner. Also not going to wait untill season is about to start to try and buy, setup, register, test everything on a new rig. Had to do that last year won't do it again.

I feel your pain on finding a hull man. Im in IL and they are few and far between here too. My point was that the performance loss will be most noticed when trying to carry a load. I don't know what kind load you carry but I found myself leaving more decoys at home and usually hunting one less person.

Do it right the first time if you can.

"CHEAP COST HIGH"

I had a boat built buy a guy cause it was cheap. I wasn't satisfied with it cause it was heavily built. I sold it and got a ftr boat. Cost more in the long run.

Where at in North Tx are you? Idk if theres a dealer closer around but if not, theres a Pro Drive dealer right down the street from me in Houston. They can probably get you a hull pretty quick

Pete willet can build u a boat he is somewhere in texas

Do it right the first time, other wise you'll spend 4000 on a grizzly hull then 2 years later not be happy with performance and spend 6000 more on a mud hull. Stick that PD on a PD hull and be done with it.

You can pick up a hull from PD for around 6k I believe or WC customs up there in that area builds a awesome boat and would probably come out alittle cheeper in the end.

I wouldn't overlook a GD either, they may still build some of PD's hulls (definitely used to). You can't beat them for the money. There's probably a dealer somewhere in your vicinity as well.

Started contacting some builders over the weekend so we will see what the damage will be
I contacted Extreme Metal Fab and WC Customs over the weekend so just waiting to hear back, calling uncle J this afternoon.
Anyone have another builder to recommend?

Go devil is definitely an option, anyone running one of there 1848 with a prodrive?

Look up dead fowl to.
His name on here is dfou i think. I've heard he makes bad ass boats.

Cotton mouth also makes a decent (looking at least) boat, never heard anything bad about one but i've only seen a handfull. He has some already built posted on craigslist (smaller boats) if you want a somewhat general price range.

Extreme metal fab has a thing on their website that has on the specs listed out and options available with prices of each. Can get a good idea on that price range there too. I looked one up awhile back and a decked out 17x54 the way i wanted it would have been just over 5k i think but it was awhile ago so im not positive on that.

Wait untill you hear back from WC customs before you do anything though, hes right up there by you and builds a helluva boat.

Also looking at Fins and Feathers customs, anyone have one of their hulls? They look like they do some good work.

Definitely waiting to pull the trigger though untill I've gotten a hand full of quotes.

Lol quite the review there, gets a little lost towards the end though.

Spoke on the phone earlier with Extreme Metal Fab any one else running one of there Hulls? Looking at an 1848

I would say either WC or RJ unless he's backed up. Both build good looking solid hulls and there not too far from you.


Sent from my beeper

Who knows how I can get in touch with RJ? (Deadfowl?)
If he's building boats here in north tejas I'd rather support local if possible!

DuckhunterF250 is his handle on here.

Wc customs is in Flint, Tx
Deadfowl is right up there somewhere to.

I've seen boats from each, and they are a helluva boat. Cant go wrong either way

Just waiting to hear back from WC and RJ, then the real questions begin!

1848 or 1854?? Thinking 3/16" bottom either way.

You hunt light load or heavy load?
I would go 54 if you hunt a decent size load, it will plain out and run better loaded down compared to a narrower boat. Or a 60" bottom for a heavy load.

I have 18x60 and I usually hunt 3 people occasionally 4 with anywhere from 1-12 dozen decoys...so alot of weight. With 1000+ pounds in the boat i can still plain off easily and run mid-low 20's mph

Thinking 54 since I'm not running very tight areas, Heavier than lighter most of the time. Usually 3-4 guys (All around 150lbs) with 3-10 dozen decoys and some other gear just depends on conditions

Check out Prodigy to. I use my boat on big deep lakes in the summer so i went with a true mud hull that has a vrake built into the front. It handles bigger water like a dream!! They will build you whatever you want and have dealers in LA to cut your drivong distance down.

Ended up going with an Uncle J 1854 Open floor plan with a sports deck and 3/16" bottom! Now the worst part begins.. The wait!

Just a curious question, dont mean anything behind it as i dont know any of the builders. But why did you go with an out of state builder when you got 2 relatively close? Uncle J makes a bad ass boat to though

Im going to assume wait time and/or price..?

Pretty much, uncle j cut me a good deal and even though there is 6 orders in front of me he still communicates like I'm first priority (always answers calls texts/responds quickly) he even went so far as to do the math on the weight difference between a 1/8" and 3/16" bottom! didn't go with WC customs because after a couple of calls and emails still never heard anything back.

Good enough! You'll love that boat! Always seen good things about uncle j

Im just glad these guys talked you out of the grizzly. Little more money right now maybe. But less in the long run. And none of the anguish over your bad choice. Congrats. Wish I was waiting on a new boat

Thanks JD me to!

Quack n Stack yessir lots of stumps and other hard hazards. Plus with all the flooding recently who knows what else!