Generally an 18' boat is the sweet spot for performance and load carrying. Another advantage of that length is in rough water which I experienced again yesterday.

Wind shifted during our hunt and really kicked up, 20-30MPH gusts blowing the shoreline where we were hunting out 70yrds. We were going with the wind but had a 7 mile run in open water back to the ramp. The longer hull would straddle the white caps, allowing us to ride on top. I've been in the same situation with a 16.5' and it would take a lot of water over the front as you dip into the troughs of the waves.

Heavy-longer boat with high sides and a lot of power and you are in a much better situation in rough water. When we got back to the ramp, I drained about 12oz of water out of my boat when I pulled the plug.

Something to consider for those selecting a hull size.

Yeah my 1848 handles the choppy stuff in lake Palourde all of the time. The 1754, 1854 and 1860 would handle it even better

I plan on an18/60 myself

I like my 18ft skiff because all the space and carries a load good but I wish it was wider. It only has a 40 inch bottom but it's still pretty stable considering the width

18' boats do have some advantages, but some drawbacks too. I chose a 1660 because I wanted to fit the boat in my garage. There's no way I could fit a 18' with a motor hanging off the back, even with a swing-away trailer hinge. Plus, a 18' boat requires a bigger, heavier trailer than 16 and 17 foot boats so moving it around isn't as easy. Pushing a 16' boat off a muddy bank is hard enough, but a 18' of the same width only is tougher. Hiding a 18' boat from the ducks certainly can be done, but it isn't as easy as a smaller boat. If you hunt with four guys, cross big water, or carry a heavy payload, 18' or bigger boats are great, but otherwise, smaller boats do have some advantages.

One morning about 4am crossing lake Istokpoga in a 25 knot wind, my 1448 with a 23 MB greatly inspired me to get my 1856 Cottonmouth.

I love my 18' for all the reasons stated above. We don't hunt out of our boats where I am. Birds are too educated by the time they make it down and there hasn't been enough cover to hide one in years.

With Gatorglide, I can push it off a sand bar by myself if I haven't totally FUBARED.

Big n heavy w mods is the way to go where we run no doubt!

Only thing I don't like about my 18' boat is that it's not a 20' boat

I run a 2048 and it's great for me. Lot of folks frown upon the length but I can get this boat in the same places I could get my 18' boat.


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The first thought that raced through my head when I saw my 1854 was "I screwed up, it is way too big!". However, now that I have run it for a season I think it is about perfect. Crossed some nasty waves, carried up to five grown men and still hid it just fine to hunt out of.

Love my 1860! I cross 4-5 miles of open water before I get back to protected areas.

I cant imagine ever having something less than 18' for hunting again. I do wish my rig was wider sometimes, Ive fallen out more than once bass fishing off the front deck in rough water with another person. But I get in and out of some nasty places with that narrow boat.

....

If my "perceived" advantages are so absurd, please try to dispute at least one of them. I acknowledged bigger boats do have some advantages, but please enlighten me on why I was wrong on the advantages I listed for a smaller boat.

I don't see myself ever owning a small boat again. I love the space and load carrying ability of my boat. I wish I went bigger than my 1848.

Pretty damn happy with the 1860. First day I took it out I had absolute crap weather and ran 1ft chop and wasn't even worried. Compared to my old 15ft outboard rig, 1ft chop was about the limit that you wanted to run in before you started getting airborn. Especially taking it just off the bow or something.

If you can kill a duck out of this big bastard you can kill em from an 18 footer

http://www.yesemails.com/animals/hunting/1.jpg

I like my 1860 but dam when you only weight 120#'s it can be a little much on your own at times.......

love my 1854 ran in alot of rough water and i was impressed


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Crew, maybe you missed it, but the responses didn't dispute the advantages I listed for a smaller boat were true, but merely said the advantages weren't that big of a deal. That is a far cry from your message claiming what I said was merely "perceived" and "absurd". From the beginning I acknowledged that bigger boats have some advantages. Each hunter has to weigh whether those advantages outweigh those of a smaller boat. Maybe you could use your superb deductive reasoning to understand that.

Don't get Crews started man. He has a silver tongue only second to River

I wonder if an 18/60 triple tapered chine will slide ? Guess I'll find out.