Short On Cache,

That Uncle J Mod V looks sweeet!!! I need to check them out for sure--I'll PM you for details (also on layout ideas--I want to try to plan for everything and not later regret not getting an option or not liking the layout). You're in Kansas? Did you drive to Uncle J factory in Louisiana?

I'm really leaning (basically decided) towards that same hull design from Phowler (Mod V rake with a true flat bottom--I think that would handle all my hunting needs. It's the same hull design as in their Big Water edition only in the smaller 1856 size.

Thanks!

X2 on Uncle J Mod v! Looking forward to one in the future.

I have a phowler extreme 1760 (with the flat bottom) and I love it. When I was looking into the boat, I was set on getting the mod-v as well. After speaking with paul and taking a test ride, I decided to go with the flat bottom per his recommendation. Ran the mississippi in MN/WI and IA/IL this year. Only once was I uncomfortable due to the boat bouncing. That was in 3 foot waves (funny how the navigation channel gets incredibly choppy on a south wind). At no point was it unsafe, but a little bit of a rough ride. I haven't been in too many small boats that don't bounce at least a little in 3 footers, though.

I do have a few observations on the boat that might help you. Don't go 60" wide, do the 56. Then you get 2 more inches of side height. I haven't had any issues with the low sides, but once in a while I think it would have been a good plan to get the higher sides at the cost of width (especially on the big wave days).

Second, don't go overboard with the storage boxes on the boat. Open floor plans are underated in my opinion. With bags of decoys and guns and whatever you're bringing along, the floor gets crowded fast.

While on the subject of decoys, front rails are very nice for lashing deeks to the front deck, which opens up the floor. I am thinking about adding them after the fact, one of the guys in my DU chapter has them and they are pretty nice. The downside is you gotta climb over them to get in (not a problem at all if you're not a big fella like myself), but I got a step on the back for that.

I would encourage you to set up a time in the spring to visit Phowler down in Iowa. They'll take you out on a test drive and spend some time helping you decide what your needs are. I went over there for a test ride and when I left 4 hours later, I knew I was buying one. I was surprised that they spent so much time on me. Customer service seems to be a lost art these days. Speaking of service, I managed to blow one of the switches on my fuse panel early in the season (of course the one for the running lights). I called Phowler and they had a whole new panel for me in the mail the next day.

The boat is up at my cabin right now, otherwise I'd snap some pics and post them. I know I have some pics lying around here somewhere. Ill see if I can find them.

As I said in my previous response to MN, a well made flat mud hull will run rough water better them most factory sytle mv hulls, the stiffness and weight of the hulls make them run rough water pretty well, the MV front really does not do much until you are in over 18" chop, then it does start to smooth the ride out and cushion into the waves. Our new MV front does throw the water away from the hull better then our previous vee hull, but as I noted, these are not deep vee walleye boats, they are simply meant to offer an mv style ride without compromising the shallow water running capablities and the performance characteristics needed to take advantage of surface drive motors.

We have alot of our hulls running in Central MN, mostly flat front jons.

The Uncle J hull in the previous post is very similar to our MV hull and is a nice looking rig.

The Phowler Big Water Series and MV option are still built on our proven Phowler Extreme Hull, they just add more choices for folks running a variety of different condition.

PW

Unless its a deep v its not gonna make alot of difference in the ride except that it may keep you a little dryer. I dont think a flat hull is a bad ride in rougher water. You do understand that experience of running rough water with your particular rig and how to quarter or take on waves will be a huge factor in your ride. You cant just take off running over big waves just any ol way and be safe about it.

MN,

I have the regular flat bottom extreme series. You won't be disappointed with it's performance. I didn't get back rails, because I didn't see what they would be useful for. No stand-up bar either. I almost always drive from a seated position, unless I'm running in some nasty stump filled backwaters. I did get seats put in mine. I have two bases in the center for passengers/hunting, driver's seat on the pod in the back and one on the front deck for fishing. It's nice to be able to take them out when you don't need them. I also got a padded seat-back for the gunbox. It basically turns the gunbox into a bench, also pretty nice but doesn't get used much. As for the front rails, I think the best way to do them is to have them line the sides up to where the front deck ends. Then the front is open for the pup to jump in and out. Also, the rails aren't that tall, so Fido could easily jump over them to get out.

I had Phowler do all the wiring on the boat, and they did a great job. The floor has a gutter on each side, so I think you could pretty easily fish wires under there, as long as they're OK to get wet (bilge water under the floor). I got the 6 gallon tank, but I would recommend the bigger one. I haven't had any trips that needed the whole 6 gallons, but have been close. I started carrying a 2 gallon can for backup. The bigger tank is also nice because you can get more trips in without running into town for gas.

As for attaching a blind to those rails, I wouldn't bother. Have Phowler make you a blind. They offer several different styles plus they custom fit it to your boat. I got the scissors style blind for the flexibility in different situations. Works great and goes on and off very easily. I think their light marsh blind looks great too, but sometimes I need my boat to be low profile.

I'll be up at the cabin next weekend, so I will try to take some pics of the boat layout for you. I'm attaching the few pics that I currently have to give you a better idea of what I'm running.

My experience has shown me that there is not enough v in a mod v to slice the waves. I run rough water in a Bay in Texas that gets real rough and My 1852 GTB with the GTR on back handle it just fine. Length and speed and quick throttle response alongnwith knowing how to read and run the waves makes more of a difference than the v. The ability to stay on top of the waves makes the difference in a smooth ride vs rough ride. Just my .02 cents.

This is a Cat 5 CHRIS W DUCK HUNT SPECIAL layout. It will hunt 3 regular size guys. It is a Kevlar skin glass boat with lots of flotation. 17'6" x 52 with about an 18/19" side (hard to measure). I added the console and steering. It is not side & not center. I offset it from the side enough so the blind would lay down but did not want center so I could get around the console with the blind up. Very dry for a mud boat and lighter than aluminum. I run a few miles across a nasty choppy bay all duck season.

http://cat5composites.com/

MN, whats your email and I'll send pics. Can't figure out how to post pics...not letting me upload them.

MN & Muddoctor,
Im looking at same Phowler 1856 w/ MV w/ PD. Ive got one to sell first before I commit. MN asked about drop down deck on back and I haven't seen one listed or talked about by Phowler / Muddoctor. Im looking at same request. Couple of main desires for one is 1) Dog platform for fiddo & lower/easier access back into boat for hunters 2) add casting platform for fishing & 3) knock down on back wake into boat. Any comments?

MN,
I think we are talking the same type of drop deck, but not a fold down platform. Im thinking instead of a transom plate riser, just for motor attachment, like the one shown on Gator Tail, but a transom riser that goes all the way across back of transom at same height as boat sides or motor mount height. Just a thought.

http://www.gator-tail.com/elements/pg_p ... m_drop.jpg

Any comments

Okie, yeah, I've seen other manufacturers call those hunt decks too. Paul what do those cost to custom fab (I don't see those listed as one of your standard accessories)?

Thanks

I was thinking Phowler at first. Closest place to MN and they look like real good boats and that vfront they offer may be just what you want. I was just on the backwater motors website and saw a boat in one of their videos that may work for you too. It looks big and deep with a v front but I don't know what it is. Backwater is a MN company so you may find it's something local if you asked them what boat is in their video. It may even be something they're building themselves.

I personally have a gatortail but I don't have to worry too much about big water. I'm on the Mississippi and can get by just fine with my 1646GT and 35 surface drive. One thing I'd advise if you like to hunt late season is make sure you've got a hull that can handle breaking ice.