I never thought getting a new boat could be as confusing as it is, so I turn to you guys for help. I been hunting NJ since 1985, so I done my homework on pushin, pullin, dragging, kicking, cursing, and pissing on stuck boats. My current boat, a 17' banks freedom isnt going into anymore holes, crooks, ditches, or bars. Im gonna get a small flat bottom with a surface drive to do my shallow water hunts. So heres what im gonna do and my budget.

Here in NJ most of our fresh water stuff is off limit to gas motors so we kyak swamps and flooded timbers. The rest is big water where I'll use my banks, and small salt flats that run down to 6" at low tide. There isnt much in the way of stumps, but I will bump one occasionally. These underwater objects are back where it isnt ideal to run a boat on plane, so I'll be puttin along.

I really want a 14', but it seems like the speciallty boats like GT are all 15 and bigger. I read up on the advantages of more surface area and all but I really dont want another big boat. I seen a 14' alweld with a MB mini 18 that is in my price range without borrowin any money. As it sits w/o gas and batt. its around 400 lbs, and that can drag outta the marsh with one other guy. And that seems to be my concern, I expect to get too deep into some of these salt flats and gonna have to drag out. I cant imagine dragging a 800lb rig in some of thses areas.

This mud boat is gonna be my early season rig because it gets to damm cold after xmas, so I will keep my big rig. Am I fooling myself thinking a 14x36 w/ MB 18 will do the job for 2 hunters? We run no more than 2 miles in the dark, all the suicide missions are done outta an open water boat so I wont be crossing any open stuff. Please help.

I dont know what happen, but please move this to the boats section.

Sorry I missed the budget part somewhere....

Phowler guys are making 2 new smaller rigs now...

They are treatin the 15 footer like a national secret - so there are no pics yet - LOL

See this link - and they are Yanks too - sorta - LOL

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=13378&hilit=phowler

I think a long tail would suit your needs better.

I shoulda mentioned Im trying to stay around 10k, any less and I can avoid borrowing money. As for a long tail I hadnt considered that. Please fill me in as to what advantages they have over the shorter motors. Thanks

You can reach out farther to find better mud and all and they do pretty good in the sand and stumps.

Based on the recomendation I've got a 23hp GD to throw on a 16x48 lowe. The rig all said and done should be $3600 plus repairs on the GD. Thats 1800 for the boat, $600 trailer, $1200 for the motor. I am real happy about saving a ton of money.

Am I getting a good deal on the long tail go devil? Its a 1993 with almost zero hours on it. The mechanic opened it up and confirmed the lack of hours. He's gotta do a carb kit and a flywheel key. Its a koholer 23 and looks real clean.

Sounds like you got a deal dat will satisfy all you duck killin needs.