Ok so I've posted on here a few times and I still can't decide what route to go for my first mud boat. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated! I'm thinking something 14-16 foot range with a surface drive. I want to use it for everything gator hunts,gigging,ducks,deer,and hogs. Mostly be in the lake Okeechobee and kissimmee areas maybe the St. John's . Mostly just be me and one other person maybe every now and then a 3rd. I only know 2 guys with mud boast around here so haven't been on them a whole lot. Just looking for some guidance lol. Length and width boats to consider and what horsepower motor etc. also it's gotta be a used rig I'm not a doctor lol.thanks in advance guys!

im in my first mud rig now its and 1854 35gtr have one fishin season one huntin season on it very pleased with the size dont think i would change size at all

I would definately go 16 at the smallest.

2-3 folks i would go with biggest engine u could afford

how much are u wanting to spend these things are costly and require alot of maintanence fyi

definately get reverse if ya can afford it i was without for one ride and felt crippled.


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I would go atleast a 16ft and definitely a 35hp

You want advice and you came here. That's funny shit.

I'd go 18' with a 35 SD.... You will have speed, capable to carry a load.... If in a lot of open water, go big not small.... I prefer a 18x44, can handle chops and white caps plus run flooded timber.... Versatile if u know what I mean.... As for hull, there are a lot of great builders..... It's kinda, u get what u pay for...... Look at options and figure out what u will do most of wit the boat, then figure what u will do the least of then find a happy median...., I run a poling platform, split bench, gun box, trolling motor, with closed bow deck.....


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I'd go 18' with a 35 SD.... You will have speed, capable to carry a load.... If in a lot of open water, go big not small.... I prefer a 18x44, can handle chops and white caps plus run flooded timber.... Versatile if u know what I mean.... As for hull, there are a lot of great builders..... It's kinda, u get what u pay for...... Look at options and figure out what u will do most of wit the boat, then figure what u will do the least of then find a happy median...., I run a poling platform, split bench, gun box, trolling motor, with closed bow deck.....


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Go 18' like was already mentioned. In addition to versatility and load carrying, you will probably find it easier to pick up a used 18' 35hp SD rig, good deals come up on here quite a bit just gotta research values and keep your eyes open.

Tell your budget and maybe some additional help could be offered

Thanks for the input guys. What's yalls opinion on rivited vs welded and a mod v hull verse flat bottom? Also the only concern I had with a bigger boat was if I was out by myself and got it stuck.

I went v rake flat bottoms because I'll be in some larger water where I'm at as well as shallow but that depends on your conditions. The weight difference between 16 and 18 may not be as much as you think, the majority of the weight is the bow and stern build out, going longer is basically in the middle where there isn't much material. I went 19' over 18' because a few guys told me the differencw is probably about 30 lbs. So for an extra 60# I think you would be happier 18' over 16' BUT a lot of this stuff is personal preference. If you're that worries about weight, get you a winch for the boat. Two easiest ways are have it drop in the spud pole hole or put a chain on a plate and mount to that then you can hook the chain on the back or front and out you come. I've been told I will never use my winch but its peace of mind for running alone and not being stranded

I fish and hunt on the Mississippi River, below Davenport Ia. My rig is a 1648 riveted Alumacraft Jon I bought new for $1600 6 years ago. Currently powered with a Moded MB BD 4500. Hauls a load and will run 34.7 mph running lite. Boat, motor, gas, battery, and me weighs in at just under 1000#. Get as much power as you can afford, mud hull is optional and usually very heavy and costly. For the cost of a true mud hull, you can buy 4 jon boats. My hull is as straight as it was when I bought it and has several hundred hours of surface drive time on it, between 3 different motors.

Go with something cheaper for your first rig to figure out what you like/need before dropping 20 grand on something you aren't sure of.


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Ya that's my thing I dont want to go overboard on my first rig in case I don't end up using it as much as I predict and if I do it will help me figure out what I do and don't like

i wouldnt go out without a winch or cumalong no matter by boat size if u plan on pushin the limits ur gonna f*ck up get a cheap winch for insurance some fence posts or anchor source and straps

trust me


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Just my advice and by no means and I an expert is get an 18'. Get stuck bad enough and it won't matter if your in a 20' or a 15' boat if your alone. I love my 18' boat for duck hunting but after getting this rig decided I'd like one boat be more geared for fishing yet still be able to get to my blind and lease. My rig goes plenty fast enough but after owning my first rig I learned what I liked and disliked about my rig. I don't like the 18" sides , I'd like 24" sides . I love having a console drive. I'd like a more open floor plan. What I'm saying is get you something inexpensive and figure out what u like and dislike before you really drop cash on a rig. Good luck on your first rig !

Thanks you Hernanja 1 thats what I'm more than likely going to do just get something that needs some work and take it from there I don't just have 10k+ to throw on a nice rig lol. And I'm not scared to run a riveted boat I currently have a 12' john that's 30yrs old and been beat to hell and back and doesn't leak a drop. Besides down here it's mostly just vegetation until you get up around north florida. I am curious though what's the difference between a flat bottom and mod v hull? I was told the flats bottoms draft less but what's everyone's opinion on performance between the 2.

Lol you might not even finish fixing up your next rig before you will now what you want lol mine for sale now. Was going to remove the storage compartments on each side of my console , put a new coat of GG, get the boat painted by ricki, and install hydro turf but I decided screw it I want a new boat now. But with my child being in N.I.C.U. The last few days and not sure what our insurance will cover my next rig might have to wait. But I'm still selling my new current rig.

What do you have? Sorry to here about your kid.

Mine is the 2005 18/56 CC Go-Devil with a 2006 stage 2 GTR. Performs great in the mud just the 18" walls are to shallow for fishing in big lake. I almost finished it too then decided I wanted something a lil bigger.

Let's get ready to rummmmbbbbbbblllllllllllllllllleeeeeeeeeeeee !!!!!!!!

Flint87 looking in to a surface drive

I hunt and fish the same areas you do. You have PM.