ive decided i need a 18hp copperhead on a 15x40 hull. all we use is small boats on our lease 1236's with 6hp longtails due to narrow slues and tight spots. a normal 35hp rig would be simply to big. im going to get my hull custom built and need some advise. how is a round chine hull in the mud? i was told that square chine does better but round chine turns better? second the copperhead doesnt have reverse so i will be push polling the rig. does a angle on the bottom of the transom help and not affect performance going forward? got some info that the angle is not good in vegetation? should i put a hunt deck on it or does it not matter since the motor is so light? any other input would help. thanks

well i guess nobody here knows about boats. guess im screwed.

Yes sir,You need to start over

what you heard about the round hine is true i have owned one and i'll tell you it will turn QUICK the round chine drafts slightly more than a square chine but a square chine will slide at speed, how ever a square chine turns better at idle and a round tracks like its on rails. an angled transom will cause it to sit lower in the water but i dont think will help push poling backwards. a strait transom will give more tail lift and draft less. i personally like turnin better at high speed(would rather hit a bank going 8 rather than going 30) but i would get 5086. 125 gauge hull so it will last and i also would choose a pointed bow for timber or splitting brush. so i hope this helps

,trey

It really depends on how you need it to run.

Honestly you will probably be fine with square Chines on a boat that narrow, especially with some weight in it.
If you are in shallow water the round chine will slide just as bad as the square because it can't bank in.

For the taper transom, I say go for it.
When you are running up on the bank where the back might sit down in the mud, that taper transom makes a difference.

Huntdeck is your preference, I wouldn't waste that space on a small boat plus you will have to reach back to manually trim it.

i dont plan on carrying to much of a load. at most me and a dead animal as everyone on our lease has their own boat. im trying to keep weight down as much as possible as most of my runs to stands are dead ends and i need to pick the front up and spin it around. im thinking .125 bottom longitude bracing with lighter gauge on top.

Will you be making hard turns on step?

I would def put the 45 on the back it helps a lot when pushing backwards and you could put a huntdeck but really pointless. Also that narrow I wouldn't go with a round chime