thinking about getting a boat built with a 3/16 bottom and 1//8 sides gonna go with about a 15ft x 42 or 44 inch bottom and a hunt deck so 16 1/2 ft total question is what yall think would be the best surface drive to go with hp and weight wise? im not set on a brand yet just wondering hp and what the biggest i could go without sinking lol thanks

Get the most power you can afford. Why so short on the boat?

just looking for something small for where im deer hunting lot of button woods in the sloughs so dont want nothing to big or heavy so i can maneuver better with and money isnt a problem just didnt know if a smaller boat could hold a 35 or if it would be worth putting a heavier engine on right now im rocking with a 1436 rivet and 16hp gdlt just looking for a more soild somewhat larger boat

I don't think you'll have any issues with a 35 or 36.

16' will handle the larger motors just fine.

Narrower the boat the more they want to squat with the bigger motors so I suggest 1644 and up.

Does that mean you will really have a problem narrower, No. Just little wider is better.

thanks fellas appreciate the info

The weight difference between a big and small motor is not that drastic either.

I dont know where you run, but if possible i would seriously consider a 18 foot boat. It will carry a load much better, and if you keep it narrow it should not hinder you that much in tight spots.