Thank goodness for floation. Was out with a friend today in the river at
Caddo and he was running the the motor, he had never run a mud motor before. I was setting on the bow of the boat. He hollered out and when I looked back the boat was full of water to the top of the sides. I don't know how he did it. It's a GD boat 16X44 with the factory floation still in. The boat stayed afloat, I jumped in the water and pulled it to shore. We dipped the boat out and went on our way. No harm done.

It could have been alot worst.

Get a bilge pump.

"Stuff" happens fast sometimes and a bilge pump won't work
if the boat is sitting on the bottom in deep water

I'd rather give up some space and carry the extra weight to
have the floatation myself

Glad everything worked out OK for ya'll