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 Another Boat Question.. 
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Post Another Boat Question..
Yes ive read just about every thread on here lately about hull sizes and speeds. Yes I know it has been brought up 1000 times. and Yes, im still posting this cause the forum is dead lately.

Im going to start my boat build in February. Im dead set on an 18' hull. But not sure on width. I've debated everything from a 48" bottom to 60" bottom.

Im going Center console w/ 40hp Prodrive
Question is, if I go 18x48, I know speeds will be in the 30's. But can I still expect 30+mph with a 60" bottom boat? Boat will be bare bones. No bells and whistles. Just front deck, center console w/ seat, and rear seat.

I'm only considering 60" bottom because of my son who is only 2 years old. So its just a safety factor for me.

I feel like 18x52 will give me best of both worlds. But if I can go 54"-60" bottom and still have the same speeds as a 52" bottom then I may just go with a 60" bottom.

I am 70/30 on a hunt deck. I just don't think its needed for the PDs reverse. Not sure there are any Pro's to having the hunt deck with the PD

Whats your take on it?
Is a 54"-60" bottom boat, THAT much slower than a 48"-52" boat?

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Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:40 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I’ve got a 54” bottom, and never once though about going backwards to a smaller rig. I doubt speeds are much of any different, BUT you trade functionality and family fun.

I’ve got kids too. I have a waterproof bean bag I toss in the floor and they ride on it. Makes family outings more fun and safer. If my boat was any narrower, it would be a headache to maneuver through with kids in it. As I’m sure you know, you never take kids anywhere with less than a ton of random crap for them. Get a big boat...


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Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:23 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I always had 1854, my next one will be 2054

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Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:31 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
48” is pretty darn narrow w a center console to walk around. I still think 1854 is as close to perfect as a fella can get


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Sun Oct 13, 2019 7:55 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
If you going to go with a 48 inch bottom, which I personally prefer, flare the sides so that you are wide at the top. I have an 18x48 but at the top I am 70 wide with 8 inch cat walks, so I have plenty of room and walking area, even if I were to put a center console on it


Sun Oct 13, 2019 9:06 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
1854 is the sweet spot, IMO. Depends on your usage but unless you're running timber and having to navigate through narrow openings, I just don't see the advantage of a 48. A 54 drafts higher and although I've never had exactly the same set-up on both a 48 and 54 to compare speeds, I believe the 54 is actually faster because of the draft. A 48 plows more and is more difficult to get up on step. You'll be able to navigate skinnier water with the wider beam and it'll be more stable. I wouldn't ever go less than 1854 again.

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:33 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I’m with these guys. A 48 wide with a heavy motor will run a bit deep and be slower than a 52 /54


Mon Oct 14, 2019 10:11 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
A 60 would do fine.

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 11:03 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
So now that I've narrowed it down to at least 54" wide. Opinion on a hunt deck?
I have never owned or even ran a hull with a hunt deck.
I cant imagine its worth doing it with the PD and being a Center console.

Russ, do you think 60" will be much slower, if at all, than a 54" bottom?

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:22 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Since I have a boat with a hunt deck, I would never go back. Easy to get the dog in and out the boat, allows you to have all your floor space because the motor is out of your walking area, and you don’t get any trash in the boat when you go in hard reverse.


Mon Oct 14, 2019 5:51 pm
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Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:01 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
No. You'd have to stare at a GPS to care.

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:07 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I've ran multiple 54" and going to a 60" on my next one. You can take the same boat and the 60" will draft less and take off easier in shallow water. I don't see speed any different because the drag is about the same, the 60" rides higher but wider and the 54 rides lower in the water causing drag...I'd say 60" for stability and shallower water.

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:44 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:51 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Oh, but it is.

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Mon Oct 14, 2019 7:40 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Yes, seems like you gain another foot haha

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Tue Oct 15, 2019 3:51 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..

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Tue Oct 15, 2019 6:52 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I definitely wouldn't go less than 54 with a CC and really needs to be a 60 unless you go with a Prodrive SBX. The floor is raised, my 54 bottom actually has a 66" floor which is awesome. Plenty of room.

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Tue Oct 15, 2019 7:13 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
After making some calls around, it looks like the widest sheet of aluminum I can get is 96 inches. Im wanting a 1 piece hull, so with perfect numbers, I can go 56" wide, max. Also, I will be welding in a full floor, so I will be around 60" or wider on the floor.
Center console is an old console from my dad's boat that im using, that is extremely narrow and should be just fine, room wise.

Im just trying to figure out where I want the fuel tank, and other stuff.
I will probably put everything in the back, because I will have (2) batteries up front for troll motor.

Once I get material ordered, I will post the progress.

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Thu Oct 17, 2019 6:21 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I need ideas for the back side of the boat.
Im not sure I want a closed in deck, because I don't want it to always have moisture in it. But I also want wires/battery/ fuel line, all covered and clean.

Throwing around the idea of a removable rear deck.
Maybe put it in there when we go fishing, and take it out when we hunt.
Im not sure.
Any ideas with pictures?

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Thu Oct 17, 2019 7:25 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Look at Prodrive fish deck, or better yet, by a Prodrive hull and go fishing and hunting and quit wasting time. :lol:

Nothing wrong with a 3 piece hull btw...

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Thu Oct 17, 2019 11:28 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
I’d put that gas tank up front depending on what kind of power you will have out back. You may not bounce with that size boat, but you definitely shouldn’t bounce with it up front.

As far as storage, maybe you could do some catwalks around the boat, and on the back, enclose them to the floor so that you can store all of your stuff in the back, keep your battery and wiring all hidden and enclosed.


Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:21 pm
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Thu Oct 17, 2019 1:34 pm
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Thu Oct 17, 2019 2:23 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Well I have a little time lol
The GTR I’m running right now makes me understand why I’ve always gone with PD every time I put the fucker in reverse. Lol
I’m just anxious to get it started. Really shouldn’t take long with my work schedule

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Thu Oct 17, 2019 8:08 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
:lol:

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Fri Oct 18, 2019 10:04 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
So I have had a 46", 48" 50" and 54", all with tiller... the 48" was the fastest with a big load (4ppl and gear 29mph).


Sun Jan 26, 2020 3:20 pm
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Wed Jan 29, 2020 1:32 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Yeah, I'm calling BS on that one. I'd have to see a 48" boat with 4 guys and gear that wasn't plowing through the water. Common sense and physics says a similar length boat and motor with a wider beam and same hull config will draft less and go faster.

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Thu Jan 30, 2020 8:34 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
A 1748 with a stage 3 will easily plane out with 4 and gear. Have had 3 and a honda foreman on plane running beyond 20.

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Thu Jan 30, 2020 9:26 am
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
18x48 has been the fastest I have found with my motor. Ran multiple boats of multiple sizes and designs. 18x48 built my my boy jeremiah has served me the best so far on performance and hunting ability. I’m running 37-38 with 3 people, dog, and full hunt load.


Thu Jan 30, 2020 7:55 pm
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Post Re: Another Boat Question..
Pretty close to the same motor. 35 stage 1 or a 40 gtr or a stage 1 36pd.
The 35 stage 1 was the load hauler. The 40 doesnt compare.

I also had a 36 Pd stage 1 on a 1748 pd hull. It would run 25ish with 4 ppl.

I cannot find the video of it but the short sided extreme run the best with the stage 1 35gtr. 29 for 5miles or so. I wish I never sold that rig.

I have also had excel 1754 with 35mb... 22mph no matter what load. So wider doesn't always means better. Plus I have to worry about beam width.


Sat Feb 01, 2020 12:06 pm
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