I know its been talked about, but here goes.

What is the best boat for a longtail and hunting? Brand, size, and why.

Great question! No easy answer. Even if you asked what is the best boat for a shortail, there would be a wide range of responses. You need to first address your needs. Will this be single purpose boat? ( just for duck hunting) Or a dual or more purpose rig? I started with a 1436 jon and an 18 HP GD and it worked at the time but I am 6'4" 235# and that was tricky and I now have a 1648/ 27 HP LT and it is a heck of a lot better but...I tend to agree with the long and narrow mud hull answer, like a GD 1844 or even a 18-20' 36"wide hull...but it may not be your best fit. Your HP will be one big factor. Those GD hulls and most mud hulls at .125 gauge are heavy and while great for bayou country, are unnecessary where I run....my ideal hull would be an 1848 or 2048 out of .100 gauge with a 35 LT so I could carry three hunters with all the necessary duck hunting gear comfortably- that width works for me and my needs, I don't have to dodge trees or beaver dams.. I would say right now GT and GD would make the best LT mud hulls out there. I reckon many custom builders in La. or Tx. can make one specifically for your needs and I may have to go there one day when I get my next boat. My 1648 Grizzly is not ideal but gets it done- I've added steelflex which has helped but it is not a true mud hull and I would get much better performance from the mfg.'s I've mentioned. Hope that helps.

custom, biggest you can afford, because I said so.

ask more specific questions and I can give more specific answers.

what, exactly, are you going to use it for? # of people, etc... horsepower.

I too have a grizzly. 1754 with a 35hp lt. My first boat was a 1448 Nova with a 23hp lt. My Grizzly does the job. I hunt everthing from open resevoirs, marshes, and rivers. I like the MV for the big waves in open water, but hate it when its really shallow in the marsh or river. The 35hp can push me through most things, but a true flat bottom would be nice. Usually hunt 2-3 people, sometimes 4, full gear and dog.

Don't really have the need for a new boat, but a guy can dream. Really just wanted to start up a discussion. Pretty limited in boats available around Kansas. Don't know all the brands out there and what people thought was the all around best boat.

10-4, good subject. If I hunted those different areas like you, I could justify to my wife in having two or three duck boats! With that load, safety is top priority too, so you need a big enough boat and then some. Good hunting!

I forgot to put in a plug for Paul Dixon/Airboats Unlimited, Bainbridge, Georgia. He builds some great hulls for an LT motor, both fiberglass/composite and aluminum.

custom hull is the way to go. exactly what you want, matched to your conditions/etc.

a custom would make you curse your grizz and wonder why you hadn't done it sooner. 5k-6k.

Who are some custom makers? Got nothing in Kansas that I know of. How about the brand names boats. Excel, GD, Gator, etc.

search custom builders on this site or just cruise the boat review board.

you'll get exactly what you want from a custom builder for the same money as the manufacturers you listed. You may have to come pick it up or arrange shipping, but worth it IMO.