A few years back I bought a new GT rig, 1854 powered by a 35. Really liked the boat. I fished out of it comfortably, but it was slow when loaded. I started hunting timber, and still do 12-15 times a year. Wrecked that boat, replaced it with an 1846 SouthFork mud hull powered by a 37EFI GT. MAN! That thing scoots. I like the speed I gained, but didn't like how unsteady it was. It's an .080 boat and didn't last long. I had to idle a cypress slough to get to a piece of woods we were hunting, and took it very easy going over the stumps. It put hooks in the bottom like I've never seen before. Totaled the boat. So....I'm back to buying a new hull. Pretty set on another Gator Tail.9 months out of the year I'm bowfishing and fishing, the rest chasing ducks. Here's the dilemma...in a few years this won't be my primary fishing rig, it will be used mostly for bowfishing and duckhunting. I figure if I can bowfish out of it comfortably, I should be able to fish no problem. Initially my plans were to order a new boat from GatorTail...an 1848 extreme and have a removable bowfishing deck built. Now, I'm considering the 48 may be too narrow for a few big boys up on it. 1754x1848 powered by a 37 EFI. Any firsthand experience will be great!

I have a 17x48. I'm 6'1 300# and got a friend that is the same size. There's no way I would stand on the front with him. Ive been in a 17x54 and it seemed significantly more stable. Just my opinion though.

I vote for the 1754 ONLY because you will be doing more bowfishing than ducking. If you were just looking to duck, id say the 1848 because you will probably be able to be a little faster to your hole. But when you are bowfishing you will be slow trolling and dealing with chop and waves while fishing. The extra 6" will help to keep you stable. Consider a removable flush deck to help with stability as well as 22-24" sides to keep enough freeboard when you have the boat loaded down with 1K pounds of fish.

Why not a 1854?

Why not a 1851, sturdier than a 1844 and more room that a 1754.

I would go with 18x54 and a modded motor.

But then again, I think if you post this post again with the poll in another section you might even get more answers!

Neither one, you need two boats