Close (as in next 2 months) to ordering a new Gator Tail Extreme hull and GTR35 and I have some questions I need you experts to answer.
1. I had thought that a 16x52 would be the perfect size for my needs but read that the 17x52 would carry a load better. How better would that be in terms of getting on plane? Speed? - All of my conditions will be in water 3 feet or deeper. Load normally will consist of about 500 lbs. (people & gear) but occassionally I will carry another person which would add about 250 more lbs. Will the longer hull really help with that additional load? How much speed difference will the 16x52 be from the 17x52?
2. I also have been lurking around the forum and reading about the engine mod's and what they will give you in performance gains. If I get the mod's done by Kyle/Hoyt at the factory, will the engine warranty still be in effect after the mod's or will they void the warranty? I was looking to get the exhaust, heads, cam, and carb work done.
3. Not to diminish the desire for or quality of a new Gator Tail hull, but I have also read about some of the custom boat builders and the $$ that could be saved. I had considered a 3/16" bottom but Gator Tail does not offer. Can one of the custom builder supply this in the 5086 alloy and if so, how bad does the thicker hull affect the performance due to the added weight? My lake is chock full of big stumps about an inch or two just under the surface and I am concerned the .125 hull just wouldn't stand up. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance folks. I have never had or even been in a mud hull and am seeking advice from those who have. This is a big investment and want to make sure I get it right the first time. Please share your thoughts and direction with me. Sure looking forward to getting this new rig. My old Alweld (14x48 & .100ga) and 30 Mariner short shaft has served me well. The hull looks like it has been rolled over with a CatD4 a couple of times. Even under those conditions, my GPS shows 30.2 with just me in it. Hope I see those numbers with the new boat.

Curl

Dude call gt up and they will build it like you want it!! 3/16 and all!! Go with the longer boat!!

They will build the regular hulls with 3/16 but not the extreme hulls.

Custom builders can build what you want for cheaper and in less time. Last I heard gator tail is about 10 weeks out on boats and month out on motors.

You can get the same style, but Im not sure if you can get 3/16 bottom and 1/8 sides with that style. I believe it has to all be the same size

Professional composure guys, please!!!!!

I did not want to start a rolling battle with any of my questions. I asked very basic questions and I really appreciate the answers thus far. Please don't turn this post into a battlefield.

As a potential buyer, I want to understand the basics before I buy. I used to own a large boat dealership and always helped my customers understand all they needed before they made their buying decision. I condone a little jousting to promote a product or brag on a setup, but not to the level of disrespect. Lets keep it to my questions.

Thanks,
Curl

Get the longer boat, it will haul a load better, and the speed difference is minimal. You'll be glad you did later. Mods def help with load carrying. They will void your factory motor warranty but I'm pretty sure Hoyt has a warranty on the mods he does, but I'm not sure how long the warranty is.

I wasn't posting because I build boats, I was posting what I was told from gatortail about the lead time on boats and motors.

I was also told they won't build an extreme hull with 3/16 bottom at this time. If that has changed all of a sudden then that's great!

If they still won't build it with 3/16 bottom then have them add in one or two more long braces for running stumps.

A longer boat will carry a load better. 18' seems to be the sweet spot for performance and load carrying. A wider hull will draft less and be a more stable hunting platform. A 0.125 hull will take stumps well (especially a 5086AL hull). The design and construction of the boat with the longitudal stringers allow it to hook between the braces w/o affecting performance. Get the boat that will work for your conditions 90% of the time and deal with the other 10%.

Briggs stock motors come with a multi year warranty, when you mod the motor it voids the warranty. Not sure what GT offers on warranty other than on the work they did. Not sure if they are still doing this kinda stuff on their 'factory mods'.



(there are other options out there)

Gatortail will build you a Extreme Hull with 3/16 bottom and 1/8 sides . I know because i just order one it be ready at the end of the month . It will be the first one that did for a Extreme Hull . Call and as for hoyta

How bad does the extra weight of just a 3/16" bottom affect the performance from the standard 1/8" bottom?

Curl

I seen a boat the other day that was 20 years old and was built just like the extreme hulls so I don't think gt came up with that

Cool, sounds like I need the 3/16" bottom with maybe a couple of added ribs for even more structural support. My lake is just bad ass on stumps that will tear your boat apart. Now all I need to do is go down to the factory and talk to Kyle to get mine designed like I want it. Sounds like an early spring trip and maybe some fun over in New Orleans while there. Can't wait fellas. I have been dreaming of this new rig for many years now.

Curl

I'm not sure how many runners they put in normally. All we run over here in Texas is stumps. My boat is 48 wide bottom with 3/16 bottom and 7 2x2 runners.

One big thing is make sure there is a runner right down the center of the boat. The worst spot to get a hook is in the center at the transom.

Yea I wouldn't build them duetothe fact that I have a good relationship with Kyle and Hoyt and just wouldn't do that