I am new to the site so bear with me. I have tried to do a search and found all the info I want about the differences in the motors (LT vs SD), but my question is there a difference between a hull set up for a LT and one set up for a SD?? I ( like everyone else) is looking for the perfect dual purpose rig. For me that will be a duck boat ( Galveston bay and surrounding area that has hard sand to mud bottoms ) and a flounder gigging rig (so shallow water sand bottoms). If some one could enlighten me to if there is a difference between the hulls so I can pick the right one for a long tail that would be a great help, or should I just go by the boat the floats in the skinniest water and slap a LT on it? Thanks for the input MMT

How many people and how much gear do you plan to haul around?

I have a 1448 jon boat (crimps on the bottom) that was a hand me down from a friend. Problem is the boat probably isnt worth trying to fix ALL the holes and bad rivets. The 18 hp go devil on it now is mine, and will push it around 18 or so just me and my gear. I would like to stay 16 foot or smaller. The bigger boats i hunt with cant get on a plane where i can and i like that. I am actually looking at the three man Gator hide that is on this site, but I can't get a hold of the seller. Gator Trax boats seem to float real skinny and that's what I'm looking for. I will just try and match a long tail to that size boat after I buy the boat. or I can buy that 3 man Gator hide, and that Harley Davidson beavertail that is For sale on this website also and combine them.

I usually hunt just me 2 dozen decoys and my 45 pound dog. Occasionally I will hunt with 2 and really don't foresee hunting with 3. I might flounder gig with 3 if that makes a difference

Will a gator trax 3 man gator hide work with a 37 swamp on it? Or is that the wrong hull for a long tail

I would think that'd be a little heavy and have the wrong chine for hard shallow ground and mud flats.

it will work.... Make sure you stay at a 17"/18" transom height.... Buddy of mine had a lot of issues with his SWOMP, but come to find out, his boat was built to GTR spec 21".......


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One of the best 16 foot hulls over hard bottoms is the GD 16x60...
I know where you can get a test ride in one if you want to...

It will also handle a SD if you go that direction later on...

FYI - the Trax Hides are very heavy compared to other MM hulls...

Doesn't really matter what chine u get, the all have pros and cons.... With a LT, make sure you get a short transom and max width should be about 48"..... Lt perform better on long/skinny hulls


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I would disagree - my current GD 18x44 runs shallower and faster than my old GD 16x44 ever did....

Longer hulls balance better - that is why they carry loads better....

If you are determined to stay 16 foot you need more width like the GD 16x60 which
is one of their best hulls over hard sand.... Know guys with the 16x60 and if I had to
do a lot of hard sand I would have gotten it over my current GD 18x44 but I do more
timber and back bayous...

Gigafowl, are you running a LT? Do you ever run or hunt west of the causeway? The GD hull that is 60" is a SD hull on their website. Will that make any difference in your opinion

Never said a longer boat pulls a shallower draft.... 18' handles white caps better than a 16'..... The 60" will be a turd wit a lt..... 18x44 or 18x48 is ur best way for a long tail...... What ever you do, get a poling platform


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Thanks for the info. I will keep it in mind while I shop for a new boat.