New to the forum from Louisiana, what's up

I have the pleasure of looking for a new rig for work. I initially had plans for an outboard setup, but since this drought, realize a surface drive/longtail is really what is needed. I have operated longtails of buddies, but pretty clueless about the new surface drives and so forth. I would prefer something with a fairly wide bottom (or at least something stable enough to be able to lean over the sides and pick up 'things' from the water. Need it stable, yet have no need for speed, just something to get from A to B, on most occasions with only myself and perhaps one other. Looking at surface drives and liking the 23 hp surface, need a boat and trailer to work out of? Any suggestions/deals? Thanks alot, Matt

I am in the Lafayette area by the way if that matters

See about lining up some test drives and go from there. Go look at rigs in person,if you are in Laffy you aren't far from GT and PD. You can make a short drive and get alot of questions answered.

What kinda work are you doing and what kinda gear you use(weight)? I work from these type of boats nearly everyday so I'm pretty familiar with how each style performs. By knowing as many detials that you can provide we can help suggest a rig that would best fit your needs.

Budget?

I wouldn't buy anything less than a 35 unless I was HP restricted or was on a budget. If I was on a budget would save up or buy used. Tall transom also,everything else is up to you and what you use it for.

Thanks for the replies, the boat HAS to be new, there are no HP limits, but have a budget of 10K. Is that even possible?

This boat will be used on Lake Martin primarily, the lake gets lots of vegetation, but also need to run in some shallow areas. Need to be able to haul upwards of 100 lbs over the side of the boat (large snapping turtles/alligators)

thanks guys

You will be close to the 10k mark depending on what boat you get. A stock 35 would probally be fine unless your really gunna load it down. Boat wise the manufacture is up to u but I would go to a 18 footer. You hardly ever heat people say I wish my boat was smaller. If you find you have alot of weigh your pushing you can add some mods as you go along or as you can afford them

What about placing a surface drive on a jon boat, say a 16' XPress. I have ridden in an Xpress flat bottom jon that I was pleased with. Would this be feasible? Say a 36 hp on a 16' jon?

It will get you buy but those boats are not desinged to run a mud motor and if you use a mud motor for its intended use the bottom of that hull will look like a smashed beer can. You also drag more in the mud with ribs on the bottom. The biggest thing is hull thickness and you arent going to find it in regular xpress allwelded.

Spend money on good motor... mod it even... Then come back later (After duck season) & pair it to a nice hull designed for these motors... You'll notice a world of difference.

10K is fairly cheap when you start factoring in new engine, new boat, trailer etc... That will be hard to hit & could easily exceed it. If you can push it to 12 you'll get yourself into a nice setup.

If you already have a boat to put it on then buying a good motor maybe putiing some mods on it is ok for now. IMO if you don't have a boat yet or motor don't waste your money on a thin hull ribbed boat and a new motor. Just save up a little more and getboth right from the start.

How hard you plan o working this boat???? If you just cruising in Lake Martin doing research and etc..... not hunting and mud riding or driving it like you stole it, a factory xpress or even better priced Weldbuilt however it is spelled will be ok, just make sure it is 100 guage. Look at backwoodslanding the 1642 crawdad and a new 23 gtr would be right in your budget.

Thanks guys, it is going to have to be an all at once purchase. This boat will probably go in the water 20 times a year/max. And some of that will be in open water just to take a person or two out. Basically, I need to be able to go in some shallow water with lots of vegetation (hyacinth,duckweed) occasionally. It is basically a cypress brake with some button willows mixed in, so I am not going to be using this rig to its full potential.

In that case I would agree that a Xpress or anyother namebrand boat would probally be just fine like bobby said make sure its at least .100 gauge. If you can afford it get the 35 of whatever brand you won't regret the extra power if ya need it somtimes.

Thanks again, like I said it is more of a research boat, not a duckhunting or fishing boat. Really just need a motor that will go through some vegetation and not get clogged, and the surface drive is the best option, I will let you guys know what I end up with,

Even better yet, PM Uncle j or go to his website, and tell him what you need and want and budget and He will inform you of what He can do and if He can make it happen, From what I read he can do the whole package boat/motor/trailer for you. So just contact Uncle J and see what he tells you. He has buitl 100 guage boats, from what i read he prefers not too, but He may help you out, will not hurt to ask.