Hey guys,

Just picked up a new hull, a Hog Island Boat Works SW16 Skiff. Designed mostly as a power drifter for fishing, I ended up with one due to its light weight, open floor plan, and one piece roto-molded construction. I hunt on the Upper Potomac in MD - a river lined with big submerged boulders and other obstructions (also very shallow). I was tired of buying expensive aluminum hulls only to bang them up bad in one season. The big, 3/16'' hulls were just a bit too heavy for the way I use my boat. A lot of guys around here run river jets, but they are useless in the summer and in ice etc. etc. If anyone has any specific questions about the boat or is interested in one, I can put you in contact with the owner.

The hull is rated for a 40hp, but the transom really isn't designed for anything over 225lbs or so. I was looking at a Mud Buddy 23 (or the new 25efi). Reverse isn't critical for me, but would be nice. Mainly concerned with power to weight. Also, interested to hear if anyone has thoughts on a MM on this type of transom (flat bottom with a very shallow rake in the front).

Anyway - was hoping some of you on here had a few suggestions for other motors to consider. The Hog is a tall transom, so I believe the Copperhead is out?

Transom angle is pretty important. Unless you go with some sort of mini, there's not much difference in the weight of a 23 vs a 35. IF the transom and bottom can handle the abuse, I would go with a big block. It would be an expensive gamble to buy one and find out that it didn't work well or it would tear the hell out of your new boat.