Ok guys, so I did some research on the flotation pods. I have been considering them to help in real skinny water. My 14x48 lowe w/ 25 GD LT does pretty well in almost everything, its got good giddy-up and planes ok. Im gonna install the pods if they will improve the performance of the rig.

Does anyone have a report on a similar modification? Any feedback will help make my decision. I been looking at boyd pods, am I on the right track? Thanks, john

Have you tried the search feature? there are countless threads on here about pods...

But...

Pods do not increase performance specifically. They only help float the boat better if the motor is a little heavy for boat..... If that creates the performance gains that you want, then yes they will help IF they are built properly for your boat. If they are not built properly for your boat, then it will decrease performance.

If you add them, it would best to find someone WHO IS EXPERIENCED AND KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING and have them custom built to fit your boat.... And the money should be about the same....

Caddo - I have tried the search function and appologize for adding to the confusion over this subject. Im just trying to make a decision based on my needs and am having a difficult time relating to the other threads.

My hunting buddy has to sit on the bow in shallow water to keep the stern afloat. Will pods help to get my rig better suited for shallow water? That is based on your best guess.

Are like tits on a stick and look cool or do they really work? Thants all im askin. Thanks again.

They add length to the boat but should taper out of the water on plane.

They help the boat draft less at low speeds.

I have a 1442 alumacraft with boyd pods. I got them to draft as high as i could in rocky shallow rivers. They worked so well i had to move my trolling motor batteries and gas tank to the rear of the boat. i was running in about six inches of gravel water with 2 200lb men bowfishing gear and cooler full of beers. love the pods until i decided to drop back to a 9hp. now it wants to plow the water. but i have to go slow so i deal with it.

My boyd pods came in the mail today, but they have a plate welded to them. It was my impression I want to mount the bottom of the pod flush and square with the bottom of the hull. I may be mistaken. Do I need to cut the bottom of this bracket to get a flush mount? Thanks.

Right, that is for mounting. you can bolt them on or have them welded. it allows for a weld without worry of burning a hole in them or in my case bolt on, so when i scuttle my boat i can unbolt them and put on my next jon. dont really know how much you would gain mounting flush, but should be no prob to cut off with a die grinder.

I bought a used 14x48 welded express boat a few years ago with my first longtail motor and the previous owner had welded them on so the rearmost part of the pod was actually lower than the bottom of the boat. It caused the boat to push a huge bow wave and the boat could never get up on plane. The more hp motor you added the worse it became. It was probably dangerous to actaully get it going to fast as it would have plowed right into the first wave it encountered. I had them cut off and re-welded according to the instructions on the beavertail web site which states angle the rear of the pods upward slightly so they are about 1/2 inch above the bottom of the boat and it made a huge difference. Posted this to make sure you checked your angles and just didn't bolt or weld them on without checking. I don't think the beavertail pods are particularly great as I have busted the seams hitting rocks a few times and had to have them welded but I think the instructions are still on their website and they showed good pictures on how to get the recommended angle right with the bottom of the boat.

Nope. I used the 3m and sealed the bolts. No problem to speak of. I'm pretty rough on my boats and they are holding up pretty good.

BANNED SPAMMER

Ok great, thanks for the help. I will update once I mount the pods and run the rig n the fall.