not sure if this is in the right section but it deals with long tails so here we go, Im in need of some advise here, I plan to build a 16 hp long tail in the summer and I am trying to find a hull to match up to it. I will hunt 3 guys max! out of the boat but 95 percent of the time i will be hunting 2 guys. I have a buddy who has a 23 lt on a 1448 monark and we are fine in that. I was wondering what I should look for. I can't go custom built because Im in college and don't have the money for a custom built boat. If I go with a 14 footer I plan to have pods put on it. I like the idea of being wider because of storage and space but I realize that these motors work better on a longer skinner hull. I really like the gatortrax rogue but I don't have the money for one if you guys could maybe give me some Ideas on what to look for that would be appreciated. I'll also say that we hunt on the mississippi in south west wisconsin. all our hunting is on backwaters and we don't hit the big water unless if its calm.

Call Arlon at Back H2o he is up there by you he is a good guy and will steer you strait I run a 1648 lowe and It works good for me.

For a 16hp look into a 1436 flat bottom. Even if its riveted it should get you where you want to go. As long as you arent ramming stumps and being a DA you will be fine.... i picked mine up with a outboard and trailer during the summer for $500 and sold the outboard for $300 which made the combo a steal... its lasted longer than I thought it would and ive done alot to really wreck the thing... reccomend a coating like gatorglide or frog spit on bottom to help seal any leaky rivets. New transom boards and possible bracing to help take pressure off of transom, take out floation in seats.... forget the pods, and maybe install a grab bar... other than that this can all be achieved for less than $500 to $1000 depending on how far you want to go... in my 1436 I hit 16mph empty, and about 10 when fully loaded down

Good advice in the above post.. You could also look at Weldbilt boats. They are cheaper than most, but you know your budget .

I suggest you look for a riveted boat, 16 to 18 feet long, but no more than 48 inches wide. The longer boat will carry a larger load than a 14 footer and there is little, if any, speed loss unless you go too wide. If you need pods your boat isn't long enough. The riveted boats are usually made of lighter aluminum, but unless you plan on beating it up they work fine and are less expensive. An 18 X 48 is large enough to handle a 35 SD and everyone eventually wants to carry a bigger load and go faster. If you find a used boat be very critical of bottom condition. If the bottom, particularly next to the transom, looks like a windy day on the Mississippi, walk away. Don't be afraid of loose rivets, they are easy to tighten up. Good luck.

thanks for the input guys, I thought about the 1436 but I'm about 200 and one of my buddies that I do most of my hunting with is about 230 so us together is 430 plus all our gear I was skeptical about running a 1436 due to the weight. and I understand walking away from the river on high wind days. we had 2 footers one day when we went out with my friends 1448 and it was about as far as I would push a boat with a long tail on it.


What do ya'll think about the 1436 crawdad by weldbilt? It looks like its a nice little boat and you guys are right, they are cheaper than most welded boats I might be able to work something out, I like there 1442 jon as well. and for right around the 1100 mark It might be an option.

I have a 1548 Weldbilt. Great boat for a longtail, have been pleased with mine, but don't use it in the stumps!