If you had your choice? [Archive] - United Waterfowlers Web Forums

Steve.r

10-06-2011, 08:13 PM

Well I will start with what I would want , This would be the best for me I will start with the boat 2060 aluminum boat 3/16slick bottom extra large front deck with storage ajustable winch bracket , Rod box on one side split pod seat in the back with polling plateform thats removeable , for me one motor will not do , outboard woulkd be a 60 hp yamaha , but also 35 surface drive with a few mods on it , entire boat with hydro tuff front to back , also the yamaha would be tiller handle don't like console's , custom livewell , this would be a boat that on calm day I would go offshore and astill be able to get skinny for the way back country , big enought for the famliy.

duckbone

10-06-2011, 10:01 PM

What would you buy, thinking it was going to be the last boat you were going to ever buy? I'm talking full package. Remeber this boat needs to last a life time.

To do what with? If it were to be a duck boat I would buy the Gatortrax I have now.

Raul G

10-07-2011, 07:50 AM

I will limit my reply to a "duck hunting" boat. I second a Gatortrax type boat, they have that 1750 Huntdeck model that looks like a perfect application, an 18' maybe even better- of course enough horses to move it, as they are heavy. I saw an Excel up close a couple of weeks ago- an 1851 open hull that was a beauty but incredibly heavy. Might be good for the bayou gumbo mud but a liability, IM humble O. I like Paul Dixon's (Airboat Unlimited, Bainbridge, Ga.)aluminum hull as I still run a longtail. If you've been in our marshes lately, with the low levels of H2O, the best bateau would be an airboat and they were getting stuck as well. For my Florida spots, give me a lighter "speed hull", 1848 open hull configuration, and a stout push pole.

D Duck

10-07-2011, 10:55 AM

No such thing as the perfect boat. Regardless of what you have, it isn't perfect for every application. Buy multiple boats, it's the only way you'll ever be happy. :tongue5:

mudduck109

10-07-2011, 11:00 AM

Raul G

10-07-2011, 11:47 AM

D Duck, that is a beautiful idea- multiple boats! Someday my back yard will accomodate more than one. When it gets real skinny, I've always thought that for 1-2 hunters a 1448 jon with either a longtail or SD would work. mudduck, the GD boat is very strong, will last a lifetime. A friend had a 1644 for a couple of seasons but also ran into difficulties as it was heavy and slid too much for him on turns. Of course Coco designed it for conditions in the cypress swamps of Louisiana. D Duck is also right because all duck marshes are not the same and in many areas there are H.P. restrictions. I've seen many rivetted boats already four to five decades old and holding up quite well- an alum boat should last a lifetime if it is not abused. My last one was almost severed in half by a speeding bass boat on the Big O- including me, but I jumped with alacrity to the front and survived to tell about it- but I got it patched and welded and it should continue on a long, long time. I'd love to hunt Apalachee Bay someday- redheads galore some say- but I bet a good bay boat there will need some significant freeboard as well as be equipped with a fast conventional outboard.:coffee2:

mudduck109

10-07-2011, 12:33 PM

As far as weight goes, I've been looking primarily at 18' boats and all the major brands are very close. The war eagle stands out at about 425lbs. Every thing else is between 490-580.
Even prices are very comparable, until you add accessories.

D Duck

10-07-2011, 01:16 PM

Go welded for sure. I second Pat - I love my GatorTrax!

Hootie

10-07-2011, 03:06 PM

Hey guys sounds like my boat ur talking about. Gator Trax 17X54 with a added18 inch hunt deck, 2 rod/gun boxes, removable rear seat and removable center seat.Extended fromnt deck. The seats are great for a family outting. Also pestal mounts for the bass seats. Working on getting a trolling motor, not enough time right now. 4500 mud buddy black death. Yes I'm proud of it. I fish the intra coastal/fresh water. Duck hunt Lake O. I won't take in the ocean because it loves to surf.
For duck season I put a fast grass blind on it, hides great. See ya in the marsh..Hootie

mudduck109

10-08-2011, 11:50 AM

Sounds like I'm on the right track. The wife is holding me back till the summer which could help prevent me from an impulse buy. A local marina by me just became an Excel and Mud Buddy dealer. Any thoughts on those brands?

mountainref

10-08-2011, 02:50 PM

I love my mud buddy!!! Go big or go home the HD6000.. I was getting ready to upgrade my 4500 but the triplets came along and fixed that plan... If you wait until summer you miss this season.. Search the forums and on line and see if you can find a 1-2 year old one, and you will save some money, just modify as you want. Good Luck....

mudduck109

10-08-2011, 03:22 PM

I'm suffering from the go big or go home now. Running a 1542 with a 24 long tail, which I love but have out grow both by family and hunting buddies. I'm ok with waiting as long as the out come is going to be "THE" boat. I do like the idea of saving money though.

mountainref

10-08-2011, 03:54 PM

I went from my first boat a 1436 with a long tail, a 2 person boat, to a 1654 with a hyper drive, a 4 hunter boat. It is not the perfect boat but wow what an upgrade. Got a real good deal on it so when I am ready I will sell it and then get "the boat".

Hootie

10-08-2011, 06:44 PM

I have a 4500 Mud Buddy, with 2 in the boat and dog 28mph on the GPS.

mudduck

10-09-2011, 08:47 PM

Mudduck109, I have a GDSD 1660 with split seat option, and a 35 GDSD that is moded, heads, carb, exhaust I live about 45 min north of you in North Port. I would be glad to hook up with you and let you drive it and see what you think, I will tell you from my experience, I have driven D-ducks gator trax w/ prodrive, and Blue Wings excell with a Mud buddy, and in my opinion the best set up is the Gator-trax with the pro-drive. Go-devil makes a tough motor, that is very simple with very little that can go wrong, ie: no clutch, or trim tilt. I have had my motor since 05 and have never had an issue where I couldn't get back to the ramp. and the only issue I had was when I first got my boat GD was having exhaust issues, and the sent me a new exhaust. But like Don said every guy needs about 5 boats, I have my mud boat, layout boat, canoe, an offshore boat, and am looking for an airboat. If you interested in going for a ride send me a PM with your contact info.

mudduck109

10-09-2011, 09:04 PM

Thanks for the offer. I got the chance to run a similar boat to yours about 4 years ago. The boat I'm looking at now is an 1848 with a 35 surface drive. We'll see what happens. Still working on the wife as of now.

bman

10-11-2011, 07:21 PM

Its true that there is no perfect boat...
We have two hybrids, a kayak, a ghenoee, a dixon godevil boat, a carolina skiff and a 22 bay boat.

Still looking for the perfect one.

Right now a 18' high sided aluminum with a 90 2stroke yammie with a jack plate sounds AMAZING... but thats this week ;-)

tailfisher17t

10-12-2011, 10:47 AM

I need something that will carry my Go-devil boat so I can off load it in the shallow water and then the a bracket to carry two Kayaks to get to good areas. But the boat also needs two be able to carry 3-4 Layout 500 decoys and have the ablity to make hot coffee and breakfast in between ferrying layout hunters.

I am thinking 30 foot by 103 inches with twin Merc V-rods 350s on the sides of Twin Mud Buddy Black death 7000. 350s to get there and black death 7000 for when they are needed!!

Ring King

10-12-2011, 11:20 AM

This is the best picture I have access to at the office. In the foreground is my 1650 Xpress Hyperlift hull with center console and 70hp Yamaha 2 stroke on a 6" jackplate. In the back ground you can just barely see my 1750 Gator Trax with hunt deck and a 35 Hyper Sport with carb spacer and stainless exhaust. It was awesome to have both boats when I lived in Louisiana. Some of our runs to the hunting grounds were waaaayyyyyy too long to be using a mud boat!

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/Louisiana/DSCF0868.jpg

Close ups of the individual boats.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/Louisiana/DSCF1139.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/Louisiana/bowlightpic.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/duck%20boats/DSCF0691_016.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/duck%20hunting/DSC00097-1.jpg

tailfisher17t

10-12-2011, 12:17 PM

SWEET RIGS!!!

I really like the Pee Row!! I am waiting to see one go up for sale one day!!

Ring King

10-12-2011, 12:47 PM

I have three pirogues. Two are Ron Chapman CopperHeads (one bought here in Florida) and the other is a 13' Campagna. They are definitely the most versatile small marsh boat out there in my opinion!!

bman

10-13-2011, 07:42 AM

That's what I'm talking about Ring King!
I keep thinking my flats boat and Carolina skiff get almost anywhere... Do I really need a mud motor? Up here Grass clogging the water intakes is a bigger issue than mud.

How shallow did your Xpress run? that looks like my next rig.

Ring King

10-13-2011, 07:51 AM

It wasn't the shallowest drafting boat due to the performance hull. It had a stepped hull like a bass boat has. The lift it provided when running was unreal and allowed me to really make some good numbers.

That being said it would do anything I needed it too. I never hunt out of my boats anyway. That's what the pirogues are for.

They don't make that boat anymore. It was originally offered in a tiller steer configuration (which is how mine started). After Hurricane Katrina worked her magic on the boat I sent it back to Xpress for a safety inspection and repaint. At that time I had them install the center console and re-rate the hull for the higher horsepower. It was originally rated for 50hp max.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/duck%20boats/xpresspic.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/duck%20boats/12-25-03004.jpg

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii148/ringkingsc/Louisiana/SnowinNOXmas2003.jpg

Now you have to get the boat set up like a bass boat with all the storage compartments, decks, and side console to get one that size. If you want a center console with the Hydrolift hull you have to step up to a 20ft bay boat model and add the camo paint option (this may be my next boat anyway).

tailfisher17t

10-13-2011, 08:05 AM

If it wasnt for rocks I would have a outboard set up.

I have hunted from my Tailfisher and its has worked well with camo netting. But only if I go to an area that has no rocks and I need to go 38 mph to get there!

The way it is set up now i'll run 3 inches all day and has made it back to the ramp going over topped of veg and soupy mud. Just cost me a little ....... New water pump.

Ring King

10-13-2011, 08:12 AM

The other boat that I'm looking at now is the Excel 1960 Stalker Viper with a 115hp Merc Optimax Pro XS. I need a tender boat that can haul my three pirogues, 3-4 people, 150 decoys, and our gear to and from the hunting spots.

Baydog

10-13-2011, 01:17 PM

Hey Hootie, thats not a duck boat,its a duck yacht! Bunks, galley, Head in the plans for next year? Rich.

godvlman

10-13-2011, 02:10 PM

Ring King... I am guessing you are left handed? I see your binacle on the CC express boat is on the left side.. **** man if I had to drive that boat I would for sure wreck it!!!

Mudduck 109 if you are leaning towards an 18ft mud boat do yourself a favor and spend the extra money and upgrade the motor I wouldnt go with a 35, I think you will regret it later and have to upgrade to get your best performance....

Ring King

10-13-2011, 03:09 PM

Ring King... I am guessing you are left handed? I see your binacle on the CC express boat is on the left side.. **** man if I had to drive that boat I would for sure wreck it!!!....

Good catch, but I'm definitely not left handed. It had to be mounted on that side or I would have been trimming the motor up and down with my pinky! They don't make a shift/throttle box that can be mounted on the appropriate side of the console without the trim button being on the wrong side and I didn't have room on the console for a surface mount control box.

Didn't matter much to me anyway. I only know two speeds......Stop and WOT!!

godvlman

10-13-2011, 03:52 PM

Good catch, but I'm definitely not left handed. It had to be mounted on that side or I would have been trimming the motor up and down with my pinky! They don't make a shift/throttle box that can be mounted on the appropriate side of the console without the trim button being on the wrong side and I didn't have room on the console for a surface mount control box.

Didn't matter much to me anyway. I only know two speeds......Stop and WOT!!

I gotcha, one of my work boats is rigged with the trim button that way... I just use my pinky! It keeps the pucker factor out of it!

duckbone

10-14-2011, 07:40 PM

I like the paint jobs and you guys could move that switch to a rocker.

bayport

11-01-2011, 04:35 PM

No such thing as the perfect boat. Regardless of what you have, it isn't perfect for every application. Buy multiple boats, it's the only way you'll ever be happy. :tongue5:

Let's see, between my partner and me we now have 3 duck boats PLUS one offshore, one bay and one realy skinny flats....
And we are pretty happy!

Keith Yates

11-01-2011, 07:18 PM

With the right people in it any boat is perfect.

ibfishin

11-11-2011, 08:58 PM

Hopefully this 4 man boat will be my last. Its maiden voyage is tomorrow.
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u136/ibfishin1/IMAG0074.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u136/ibfishin1/IMAG0082.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u136/ibfishin1/IMAG00831.jpg