I could really use some help from the "experts" on a boat that I am planning to have built this spring.

I have a guy that builds custom aluminum boats lined up to do a custom rig for me. He has built many boats in the past, but does not have a lot of experience building them for surface drive motors, only long tails. My current rig is a 1656 Alweld flat front, which is a standard boat and not the mud version. with a 35hp Mud Buddy surface drive. I was fairly happy with the performance as I could get 28mph with 2 guys and a normal load (non hunting).

The new boat I have plans for will be a 1754 and I can have it built pretty much to my layout specifications, which will be set up mainly for duck hunting. I am looking for any good advice on pros & cons of certain features and specifically the questions below.

1. Transom angle? Is there any benefit or negatives to different angles with a surface drive?

2. Tapered chine or not? He has not built and tapered chine boats, but assures me he has no issues doing it, I'm just not sure if this is the way to go or not.

3. What other features or mods to the boat will affect the performance of the boat? I would still like to be able to run in the 24-26mph range with a full load

Appreciate any feedback you can provide.

Here are a couple of pictures to one of this builders boats that is very similar to the one I intend to have built

All 3 of your questions have been answered 500 times already. Google them!

and if you want to run those speeds with a full load, you will need mods.

and yes, make sure you have the correct transom angle for your mudbuddy.

1. Depends on which motor you go with.
2. Tapered turns without sliding as much.
3. Thicker bottom lighter sides keep it simple less is faster.