Im looking at buying a complete new rig this year and am still new to duck boats. I live in ARK and the closest dealer is an Excel dealer. I really like the look and the this that excel has done to there boats. The fetures seem to be just what im looking for. I believe im going to go with the 17x51 with prob a 35hp surface drive. Any pros and cons on the boat or any other boat on the market that is better that the excel? Im mostly hunting the timber and the rivers not much mud at all. Just looking for an all around good duck boat! Thanks in advance!

Looks and durability are 2 totaly different things... If you do decide to go with a Excel make sure the hull is at least .125 or your just wasting your money. IMO I would look into a cutom builder instead

You are looking at investing a lot of money on this.

I would not limit my search to someone close.

A drive to get the right boat will be well worth it.

There are a number of custom builders on here who can make you an awesome boat specifically designed for you and where you hunt.

I would spend a lot of time reading reviews and threads on here before I did anything.

If you are running in ARK in stump lakes, I would not even consider anything other than a 3/16 bottom boat braced properly by someone who knows what he is doing.

Mud Boats with Mud Motors are a completely different animal than outboard packages and boats. I have spent the money to prove this and learn that lesson. You can save yourself that time, money, and aggravation by doing some good upfront research.

You should also make sure your boat matches your motor so motor choice will effect what boat you go with.

Keep researching and posting up thoughts and the folks on here will get you in the right direction.

The only excel i would consider getting would be their new f-86. Its built with 5086 .125 aluminum with 6 stringers. Ive never seen one in person, but it looks like a nice boat. But if you are planning on running stumps, I would defiantly get someone to build you a boat with a 3/16 bottom.

ok so I'm new to the whole mud boat, mud motor thing. not to many people in the northwest have them. I met a guy last year that has a go devil boat and a mud buddy motor and i absolutly fell in love with it. We have been in situations with low water or river mud beds that i had no idea i could get back to. i've been a avid waterfowler for years but been stuck to lakes or full pool rivers. him and i have been talking about what boat i should get and i"m thinking about the excel f-4 with the hd 7000. i'm open to more suggestions since like i said im still learning, i have big mud flats to deal with and lots of shallow water when they start dropping the rivers not real dangers of logs or big rocks. so if any body could help it would be much appriciated.. thanks

Ryan, what is your location in the Northwest?

do yourself a favor get a a custom boat built. one they are built better and two they are made for mudmotors.i bought a boat with a prodrive it dosent have a 3/16 bottom i already had to get it welded on. plan on having one built soon.the only reason i bought it was i got a good deal . probaly have uncle j build me one

I'm in Washington state.

they offer the F4 with the .125, 5086 hull. you will love it. but if you don't get the 5086 it won't last.

P.S. go with the 1854 the 7000 is a beast it will push whatever you get.

Yeah that is the exact boat I was at that hd 7000 is a monster and I need as fast as I can go so I can travel farther. Plus its just really awesome

Personally, I would get the HD 5500

Two carbs are just two problems IMO.

how come

Excels look good but they are heavy! Just as heavy or heavier then some of the others with 3/16 bottom.

They are also one of the most expensive boats you can buy.

Get custom boat built, however and with whatever you want. It will be exactly like you want it. Get mb 5500, not 7000. Reason being is that the 7000 might be faster on top end(1-2mph) but the 5500 will have more bottom end a crisper throttle response. Less fine tuning with a single carb than 2 carbs(7000).

Ok war eagle 1 what would you recommend for a shallow water mud boat and or who are some good boat builders. By July i'm getting a boat and want all the input I can get. Thanks for the tip on the mtotor I didnt realize it made that little of difference on the speed

No I can't drive that far I live in Washington state.

I love my MB 5500 with 12 tiger prop and my excel too. it does great in the stumps and timber and has really good big water manners as well. tall transom and sides, with .125 hull. 30mph with me #330, dog, dozen dec's, boat blind, two batteries and full tank of fuel 6 gal. and push pole reverse is very very dependable...lol

First off I love my boat without a doupt. I would like it to be a lil different layout but I purchased it second hand. Gatortrax if built very well in my opinion. But to do it over again, no doupt it would be custom. ( Uncle J, Deep south, pearce ). Just to name a few. Motor wise depends on your needs. My boat for exams will move about 25mph with 750lbs of men blind 6-7 dz decoys 2 batteries and full of fuel and all other typical boat and hunting gear. Fast enough for me. Go tall transom and sides with alot of runners for bracing. Call a couple builders from this site and you will that the price they give you is fenominal. Had a buddy just price one and I could not believe how sweet the price was.

Cons in my experience with Excel was absolutely horrible customer service. Tim Scott is a dishonest *^&^)

In that case I stand corrrected. But Tim is still an (*&^hole! hahaha