I've been promising a review for awhile now, and finally getting around to it. I knew somewhat of the rig I wanted but wasn't sure. I received a package quote from the crew and knew that I needed to go ahead and place my order so that the wait wouldn't be too terrible. I went to the boat show in Mobile, Ala on Feb 23 and talked to Bubba and examined the boat they had there. A short while after bombarding him with questions about everything imaginable, a check was handed over for a deposit. I decided on the 17x54 GTB gator series with accessory package one and a gtr35. I found a boat trailer on craigslist and scooped it up to save some cost. I waited a year and a day it felt like, but on April 19th, Bubba gave me "the call". Monday morning (the 22nd) I was there shortly after the gates opened. That's a long way out there to drag an empty boat trailer from the Ga/Fl/Ala corner on the map but everything went smoothly to and from.



MM Brand: GatorTail
Horsepower: 35
Boat Brand: GatorTail Gator series
Boat Size: 17 foot x 54 inch bottom
Boat Layout: Has a hunt deck. Wide open floor. Has 9 gallon tank and a trolling motor battery under front deck.

All speeds have people weight shown. Add a ten pound anchor,two batteries and a full 9 gallon tank for total weight.

Speeds | Shallow Water: 1 person- N/A, 2 person and a dog- (185&150&75ish) 28-29mph. 3 person- (185lb,225lb,285lb) 25-26mph.

Speeds | Deep Water: 1 person-(185lb) 28mph steady at 3850-3900 rpm. Bumped 30 a time or two at 4000rpm. lost speed at 4100. 2 person- (185lb&250ish) 24-26mph. 2 person and dog (185,150,75) 27mph.
4 person- (185,150,225,285) 22.32mph




The boat is night and day difference from the 80s model .90 or .100 gauge Handler aluminum boat that I had a 27hp Bacwaterinc longtail on. It lasted one season with the stumps of Lake Seminole. The new rig has produced faster speeds fully loaded than my old rig had solo. Although 21 mph solo on my old boat was incredible, it sucked with a full hunting load of only 2 people and a child (80,170,250). I knew I needed to upgrade, and being you don't see gatortail rigs for sale used, I knew that I would not have any trouble selling it if I wasn't happy with it for any reason.

Overall, I'm very happy with the way the boat and motor performs. The very first run on the water, the boat had some bad vibrations at certain rpms. It caused the boat to rattle where the floor was riveted down and was coming in contact with the braces under it. I'm not sure if I've just gotten accustomed to the noise, or if after I've done the first 15 hour service that the engine runs smoother. The vibrations caused a few of the rivets in the floor that were not seated good to back out. Not really a big deal, called Gatortail and they shipped me some extra rivets. If you look in the floor of my boat there's a couple of silver rivets and that's why. Once I get the money, Hydroturf will take care of that problem. The only thing that I have added is a 12v plug at the front of the boat, a 55lb minn kota hand control trolling motor, and a trolling motor plug and battery under the front deck. I also put the pvc guide ons on the boat trailer because it was originally for a boat that the sides flared way out on.








The accessory package one consisted of: 6 gallon fuel tank, battery and battery box at the rear,gas line and primer bulb, and led nav lights. The hole for a bilge pump was drilled accidentally so they installed a bilge pump and wired it in. ( I appreciate that cause I was going to have to do it myself). Also once I got home and looked back at the package, I realized they had also installed a 3 gallon larger fuel tank. Thanks for that also!

Is your huntdeck shorter or cut down? Looks shorter than regular

Congrats and I'd be very pleased with those speeds!

Great choice and enjoy!

Finally a real review in the review section! Nice review and congrats on the that awesome rig.

Finally a real review in the review section! Nice review and congrats on the that awesome rig.

I put a lot of time in researching and trying to figure out what would suit my needs best. I searched many of hours on here trying to make a choice and know what its like to open a thread that isn't helpful at all.

I'm satisfied with the speeds. At least for now Performance wise I may gut the stock exhaust and have the heads done later on down the road. That'll be it or at least that's what I tell myself

My old rig

Awesome review. I've been looking at this setup as well except with the pointed bow. sold my motor yesterday. As soon as I get shed of my hull I'm gonna pull the trigger.

Good review and good looking rig! What made you choose the standard GTB over the extreme hull? Just pure curiosity.

Great speeds too for a stock motor by the way.


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Edited original post for 4 person deep water speeds. Definitely able to feel the stock motor struggle with that load. Have to play with the trim to get it to plane out, which takes probably three times the distance compared to 2 or 3 person load, but once it gets on plane it held a constant 21-22 in deep water. I won't have that many people in my boat often so I'm not looking to do any mods just yet.

Edited original post for 4 person deep water speeds. Definitely able to feel the stock motor struggle with that load. Have to play with the trim to get it to plane out, which takes probably three times the distance compared to 2 or 3 person load, but once it gets on plane it held a constant 21-22 in deep water. I won't have that many people in my boat often so I'm not looking to do any mods just yet.

Nice rig for sure! Planning on mods or stock setup later on?

In all honesty, if that's all you plan to do, go ahead & gut the stock exhaust now, before it has a chance to break apart internally.

X2^^^^^^. Just did mine and wowwwww

Could happen tomorrow, might never happen, but gutting the exhaust is free, or damn near

A few photos to add