I'm planning to buy a surface drive boat rig to add to my guiding fleet. I can't decide what to go with, I've read all I can on here and on manufacturers sites. I need something big enough for a boat blind for 3+ people, able to handle rough water, I'd say reverse would be helpful (unless the consensus is otherwise), speed is not a huge factor but I don't want to get topped by a barge either. All info and suggestions are greatly appriciated. Thanks

If you just joined today, there is no way you did very much reading on this site before creating this thread. Your question is too vague and isn't going to get you anything but a 10 page long debate about who's pecker is bigger. Use the search feature, spend some time in the reviews section, and start another thread if you actually have a real question.

I'm sorry, apparently I have been reading on another forum for the last few months. I wasn't aware that you had to be a member of this site to read post. Wow I feel important now. How could a mere mortal like me have stumbled across such elite wealth of information. I'ma sho afta I's find my way aroun dis search I's il has a REAL question. Thank ye Sa!

You can't view all forums and you can't search until you have a login. That was a polite way to say "stupid fuckin question". Do some research and ask a question if you have one. Your original post was not going to get you anywhere.

"Test drive them all" is the best possible answer you could get from your original post.

I didn't mean to upset you cb. It's just hard to find answers to some questions about sd boats. My main questions are- Do sd boats handle rough water well? (2-4' waves is rough around here). Are surface drive boats as stable as their jon boat, mod v counter parts? Is a 20' sd going to be really slow with a 36hp sd? Sorry for the stupid fuckin questions.

You didn't upset me, but your original post was fuel for a war. If you have been reading up, you have seen where posts like that go.

Yes you can get a hull that will run big water. If 4 footers is a bit of an exaggeration, a standard tall transom, tall sides mud boat may suffice. If not, Phowler makes some big water boats and a custom builder can build you one to meet your needs. What part of the country are you in?

Yes a 20ft boat will likely be underpowered with a stock 36. Especially if you are loading it down. Duals would be the best option for a boat that large, IMO. If you have to go with a single for some reason, I would highly recommend a stage 1. A stock motor may work fine, but I wouldn't want to chance being underpowered when carrying a big duck hunting load across big water.

"Stability" shouldn't be an issue. Any mud boat hull should be just as stable as a jon its same size and likely more stable than a mod v.

I'm in West TN. I don't run the Mississippi much but I do run the Tennessee River. It can get pretty rough. I've been in some 4+ footers and thats probably an under estimation if anything. I've got a big 24' boat for that but need something for hunting the flats. Ive just noticed that I see a lot of 1850 and 1854 sd rigs I haven't saw as many 1860 and 2060 and no 2072. I knew there had to be a reason. I guess the underpower issue would be the reason.

Nevermind... every answer you have asked so far is here.


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