Just wanted to know what peoples thoughts were on the 1860 phowler. I am looking at getting a new boat and was thinking of trying a phowler. I have a 35hp Mb with mikuni, mm exhaust, and headwork and was wondering what kind of load carrying cababilites and speeds to expect? I have heard some mixed reviews on these boats and was wondering what you guys thought. Thanks

I run a 1850 Phowler xtreme and love the boat. Mine is actually 18' 9" to the front. I runa steady 31mph all day long alone. and I had 5 guys and close to 400lbs of carp in the boat and still got it on plane and runnin about 19mph. I couldnt be happier. I have the evt cam in mine and that made a huge difference on carrying a load. I barely hit the throttle and Im up on step.

I don't have an 1860, but I figured this might give you a little assistance. I've got a 2066 with a 36Pd, mikuni, evt exhaust, and no headwork that I know of. The boat has full foam floatation and moveable storage boxes. It goes 20mph with a load and can carry just about anything you may need. I've had four guys, 4 dozen divers, 3 dozen puddle ducks, 3 dozen goose floater, 1 dozen goose full bodies, (none of the dekes plastic but the fb geese) and gear in mine and it still does 17mph. The boat planes instantly and runs very flat, so you can not load the bow heavy, or it will push water.

The Phowler is a tank. Maybe not quite as elegantly designed or layed out as some of the full custom boats, but a very tough practical boat. Mine has broken through 2 1/2 inches of ice without so much as a dent, and plowed through 1 1/2 foot chop without flex.

The folks at Phowler are great to work with, and because the boat is semi-custom, you can get the layout you want. I doubt I will ever want or need another boat, unless they come out with a 22 footer, but I would definitely purchase another Phowler.

DONT DO IT!!!

get you a 2060

think there is a used one in the classified for sale that is a heck of a deal.

later

dont think my 35 will push that 2060 to good

i wouldn't go any bigger than an 1860. What kind of speeds are you looking to get? That might help you decide how big a boat to get. I'm getting an 1856 Phowler with a 36pd w/ stage 1 mods and Phowler told me I should get 30 mph, we'll see when we get our new boat soon!

Gauge that is probally pretty close to what you should get I have a stage 2 or whatever u call it for MB and I run 31+ all day in deep water I have seen 33 and 34 but I would say average between deep and shallow water is a steady 31. I also have a fully comercial boat extra bracing extended front deck gun box and pod seat its a not a light boat by anymeans.

I've had a 2060, 1848, 1866, and 2066. With a stage one PD, the 2060 outperformed the rest hands down. I now run a 2066 with a 90hp yamaha and it flat screams, but doesn't corner or handle picking up decoys anything like the 2060. That extra two feet makes you draft less water which in turn makes you plane out faster with less effort. the 60" floor lets you carry the huge load and still draft about four inches . You really need to make the trip to Clinton Ia and go for a test ride or three!

I run an 1860 Phowler with a stage 1 PD for my personal rig, and it hauls the mail. It will do 29-31 empty depending on conditions. More importantly it will haul 4 men, dog, gear and a hard blind about 22 mph. I am going to give it another season and the move up to a 2060. I wish the 2066 would work for me but it just a little to wide to get where I need to go some times.

Just wanted to know if i would be in the 30mph range and also be able to get on plane with a heave load 3 guys, dog, 5 or 6 doz deeks. Probably wont be in 30 with that load but possibly with a fishing load.

With a 1860 stock, you'll be lucky to hit 30 with just you in the boat with 1/2 a gallon of gas and the wind and current in your favor.

You will be able to carry the load you mentioned on step at about 25-26 would be my guess.