I asked this in the past on another site and was told it would be difficult to do. Namely, a "speed" hull for an LT. I presently have a 1648 grizzly in .100 gauge that weighs right around 400#. Down the road I would like an 1848/1844 open hull to power with a 27 or 35 LT. I don't need a heavy gauge down here, in fact it is a liability. My last hull was an alumaweld (now xpress) in .090 gauge, a 1544 that was tough enough but not long enough to get the best performance from an LT. I've experienced the GD 1644 hull and it was too heavy as are their entire line. A rivetted hull might be the ticket but I don't see any like this, the closest one is a seaark 1852 and that is around 500#. Both my friends run vintage rivetted Lowes in .072 gauge and do fine but could be longer. The other deal is that most 18' hulls have 20" transoms and I don't want to get the xtra long LT (84"). I guess I should solicit a custom mfg. Ideally an 1848, true flat bottom, longitudinal stringers (really don't have to worry about washboarding) thinking this might be a lighter construction than cross ribs? Anyone run a WarEagle 1848? What I see from the pics of this one is that it is not a true flat bottom and weighs 500# or more.

Glades Ranger, Go Devils website says the 18x38 is their fastest longtail hull.

I believe the War Eagle boats are heavy. As are the Go-Devil boats.

I run a 1648 riveted boat. It is fairly open hull with only the rear bench and front deck. Its light. I think it only weights about 220# give or take. I think that's what I read. I dont know the gauge though. I dont run many stumpy areas or jump dams or dykes. I tried to stay pretty light knowing that I was going with a longtail.

You want a light hull that is fast with a long tail... I know alot of boat builders won't build a boat thin, it don't last and it's a hassle. If your gunna get a new boat might as well get it built out of atleast 1/8 and a long tail is only gunna go so fast.

I have run my 35BW on a few different boats the top in speeds did not seem to be off that much from boat to boat 1648, podded , 1652 podded both lowe rivet boats at mid 200 pounds i seen speeds in the mid 20,s then put it on a 1860 roughneck and still get 23mph with 1 passenger. And how heavy is to heavy for a boat for you. My custom 1848 1/8 inch hull is to weigh in at just over 400#. Going to go get it this afternoon.

Giga recently said GD makes their longtail hulls in .100 might make that 18x38 do ok

Curious as to why stick with the longtail and not a SD if you wanting speed and a thin boat setup?

The WarEagle is listed at 486# and is not a true flat bottom. The GoDevil 1838 is listed at 430# with the .125 Hull. I am leery of the 38" width, just not enough. I am 6'4" 230# and I had at one time a 1436 jon, I'm not going back to that scenario- I need more width for hunting and fishing. My 1648 Grizzly is #395 and that is heavy enough! Backwater86, your custom 1848 at #400 sounds ideal! My second boat was a 1544 alumaweld in .080 gauge that was plenty tough and would have been ideal with a longer hull and no middle seat.
da go get'er: this area has been real skinny lately and an SD is faster, turns easier, easier to trailer, etc., but needs a bit more water to operate. We have hard bottom- sand/marl/ coral rock, no real mud to speak of, mostly veggies, I don't have real long runs. I rode with my friend in his MB35 Hyper and got stuck real good several times real far in, where my longtail would have bottomed out much sooner. Reverse would not have helped. A heavy 1/8 boat like most mfg.'s would be a liability. It's the reason you don't see many PD's or GT's down here. That Hyper broke several times so far, and the costs have been significant. I've never suffered those type of major breakdowns with my three different LT's. The only mishap was due to a speeding bass boat that almost severed me in half! I've gotten used to the LT, the simplicity, the low cost, the reliability. I'd be happy with my present 20 mph by myself, 17.5 mph with two hunters and gear, if I could get the same on an 18' hull. The motor I can handle- it's the hull that is a bear to maneuver. Rivetted boats have lasted here for years because we don't encounter the "minefields", beaver dams, extensive mud, stumps. I've never seen the washboard effect so many talk about- I understand why it happens because of what your conditions are like.