is there a certain type of hull that works better with a longtail over a surface drive? When the play money fund is built back up a bit, I'd like to get somethin in the 17-20ft range. I recently got a 75hp LT and want a good all around hull to take advantage of this motor for shallow runnin, stability/semi decent ride in some rough open water at times and a WFOT top end run from time to time. My first thoughts were a 1852 with 21" or so sides with maybe a mod vee type bottom. I searched through old threads and really couldn't find anythin that said certain hulls were better for Lt over SD's, so I thought I'd get some opinions on the matter. Let the games begin, thanks in advance

If you got a 75hp longtail, it probably don't matter what you put it on. It's gonna scoot.

yea I sorta figgered that lol You think a 60" wide bottom would be too much though on say a 18-20ft hull? Smooth bottom or straked? I guess a smooth bottom allows for better runnin through and overstuff but the strakes would give it better handlin traits? Not that i'll be tryin to hoss a 75hp LT around through any kind of wot twistys lol

You got the predator right ?

yea, gonna have to run it on my 17ft alum vee bottom walleye style hull I got after I finish the floor as thats all I got for now. As soon as fund allow though I want to get a better suited hull for it though.

I would put that thing on like a 19x44.

A longtail likes a long/skinny boat, a 44 isn't unstable at all once you learn the hull.

As for the bottom, I would go completly slick with double taper chines.
It will slide over mud and grass much better than a mod-v will.
You probly wont want to turn sharp with that stout m-f'er very often, but the taper chines will help you turn without sliding if you do.

If you are running rough water I would get 2' sides, a flatbottom may not be as smooth as a v-hull but you would be suprised at how well a narrow boat cuts the waves.

you could go or stick with a wide boat your best bet would be to call Backwater inc and talk to Arlon he was in on the design of that motor and did countless hrs of testing on it. If anyone knows this motor and its capabilitys it would be him