Fixing to buy / have a new boat built. Gonna run the 35 gtr on it and would like a little advice / input. I run a little bit of everything from tight sloughs, mud flats, very heavy vegeatation(mostly below surface), large deep water areas that can get pretty rough and lots of stumps and logs.
1) As far as the motor does tall or short transom seem to suit me?
2) Pretty much for the reverse on the gtr seems like i need to run a huntdeck?
3) 3/16 obviously for the boat bottom? And with bumping logs and stupms at idle pretty much everyday of duck season do i need 3/16 sides? (might have have to accidental sideswipe above idle speeds lol)
4) Whats yalls recommendations on bracing the bottom to prevent hooks and dents?
5) 21" sides ok for deeper rougher water?
6) Lenght and width reccomendations based on waht ive said? Which is one of my biggest dilemas becase i prob will do a pointed bow and narrow as i can go due to mostly hunting in sawgrass patches and trying to prevent knocking to much of it down while trying to setup.

Thank You
Tanner

How many people/what kind of load are you wanting to carry? Where about are you running? Decent chance someone here is in the area and has a good idea on what works. Most guys will say dont drop below 17' long and 18' is better. Bracing will depend on the bottom width you go with but definitely running front to back with nothing going side to side touching the bottom. If you go with a hunt deck I dont see much reason to go with tall transom but others may disagree. Other plus of going with short transom is the motor is that much lower so if you are trying to hid in short grass it will be a little lower (about 5")

I will either hunt by myself with a small 6-8 ft kayak in boat or one other person. no more than 4 doz dekes. Once or twice a year could have possibly 3-4 people. length is not a problem and can hide the motor usually ok with grass sheets/ mats but when you get into to wide of a boat it will divide the grass pretty bad and you cant fold it over the sides to help conceal the boat. It will be an all round boat for fishing, frog gigging and gator hunting but other than a front deck and trolling motor brackett it will be geared towards hunting. Tallahassee, fl. area.

17x48 or 18x48 with extended deck if you plan on fishing

Should be fine with 1/8th sides also

I have a new 18x48 with 21' sides and love it. If I need more sides for rough water I am in trouble.

Buoyancy, too narrow and it'll set deep and can't carry a decent load. To add, I would go 18 long on one that narrow as well to offset the weight in the back, you'll be able to run more shallow.

For what you described, a 17 or 18x48 will do everything. At least 6 2x2s for the longitudinal bracing. 21" sides are plenty.

Yes 17 to 18 total length. You need a few 2x2 thick wall cross braces on top of the long braces. One in the back, one or two around the middle, and 1 where the rake starts.

ok thank you OD. Never really got an answer on the huntdeck part whether i need it or not. And also tall or short transom?

Hunt deck is good to hunt a dog off or getting in and out of the boat in deeper water. Can keep some water out of the boat when you are reversing too. Completely personal preference. I have one on a 1638 Gator Trax (they dont factor in hunt deck on size so im at 17.5' long) and its great for hunting my dog. She stays outside the boat along with all the water she brings in and can see everything going on. She has the motor on one side and the blind on the other so she doesnt have a silhouette sticking up. I have a longtail on my boat so cant comment on the reversing or tall or short transom for the GTR

I really see no reason for the hunt deck cause you still get the same amout of mud and water in your boat with or with out it that my opinion but it looks nice and comes in handy sometimes some people may think other wise

Waste of space

Huntdeck stores my battery bilge and bow bag. So not a waste of space. During hunting season bags, guns go under huntdeck. I'd go tall transom

Samsung S5

18'x54" CC w/ 21" in sides is just about the perfect setup 'round here.