Going to be purchasing my first mud boat this summer and have a few questions for the experts here.

To be honest I am not real sure what size I need. I know there isn't a one boat does it all but I'm kind of looking for that.

Will hunt 3 guys and a dog most of the time, occasionally 4. Sometimes just myself and the dog.

I will be hunting terrain from backwaters of the Mississippi to bigger water.

I'd like to bow fish and fish out of the rig.

I've looked a phowler 18/56 with the hybrid rake as they are the closest one to Minnesota but I'm not opposed to buying from someone down south.

Any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Your going the right direction. I would say with that load a 1854 ish with at least 21 inch sides and a stage one motor of your choice.

Where are you located OP?

Southern, Minnesota

Go 19 just because your running a decent load hunting. If 19 too big 1854 atleast. You set on motor yet?

I'm near the twin cities. If you want to ride in mine you can. It's an 1854 with tall sides.

How wide on the 18/19ft would you go and how tall of sides?

I've got a 50hp Honda I'm goona put on it this year and get a mud motor next year, I figure I've gone long enough with out a mudmotor one more year won't hurt,plus momma won't complain as much.

Ideally I want this to be a duck boat that I can take fishing.

54 wide 21 or 24 sides