Could anyone that owns a Gator Tail 1854 that has had it in rough water please respond to this post. Yes, I know... go test drive it myself. However, I can't seem to pick a windy day to go. I fish on calcasieu lake and grand isle sometimes and was wondering what this particular boat would do crossing open bays on windy days. I was told by the staff at gator tail that their rake in the bow of this boat does better in rough water than the other manufacturers. They say "it's all about the rake". However, my experience with completely flat bottom boats in waves is that you get your A$$ kicked. Thought's.... feelings.... contributions..... Please let me know. Thinking of purchasing the 1854 extreme.

I had my 1860 out the other day in some ruff stuff it did very good much to my surprise.....Now don't get me wrong it wasn't no dam v bottom but it didn't beet my eye tooth.

My 1860 beat the shit out of me the other day in 2 footers....Course I was skipping across them for a couple miles....lol

If your worried about rough water get 24" sides on it. As for as flat bottom boats in rough water they will beat you!!

That line they're feeding you about the rake is BS. It's a flat bottom, it can't cut through the wave coming down to soften your landing, like a v bottom. Just gotta deal with it.

This is kinda the exact information I thought I would be getting back. It's a flat bottom. It's not gonna take rough water. Thanks for the info guys. I appreciate it.

what company offered a bow option where the very front of the bow, above the start of the rake? Supposedly for better performance in rough water. As I recall, the opinion on here was that it was kind of a gimmick and didn't really help.

Docott are you talking about the hybrids?

Yes. That's what they called them! I'm not interested in one, but who makes them?

My 1860 sees 1-2' waves every weekend. I get beat up but that's the price you pay if you want to cross the bay & chase redfish in the morning (especially in a flat bottom). I usually run in the trough on the way back across. The spray is not bad unless your going into a wind. I have never been worried in my rig.

i find in my boat, which doesnt have anything up front for weight yet, that while driving the waves arent really that rough bc the back where im sitting is more so pivoting the front up and down, but its still a flat bottom as said above. i do try when possible to break the wave where the side and bottom meet and find thats a bit better than going straight into them.

I have a mikuni on my gt and it HATES any kind of chop. All the spray you get causes the motor to spit backfire and choke out. It's annoying as hell and probably goin to be goin back to a water cooled motor. Sucks, but I am just not impressed with the motors.

Just get the 24 in sides and u will b good, mine has 21 in sides and I go to the point of the Sabine jetties a lot. It's the norm to come back in 2 ft waves. just have to keep an eye on the weather and u will b fine.

Not trying to hijack the thread but would cuts in boots be an issue all the time or just when it got wet

100% Saltwater hitting the exposed plug wire. Wrap with electrical tape even the boots too & you should be good to roll. I've never had an issue and have been plowing waves ever since.

Well all I run in is salt and I have not noticed any shock but definitely worth looking into. Is the backfiring and shutting off only happening in rough conditions when there is a lot of spray? I really wanna get this motor to run reliably. I don't feel comfortable going more than a mile or two from the hill

Easy diagnosis would be to turn the motor on at night & let it run. Engage clutch / put it into gear and start spraying saltwater all over the plug wires. You can use a squirt bottle. Watch what happens. Before the electrical tape fix I had arcs flying all over the place... I can do this now & not be affected nor see an arcs.

If you got 18x60 GT its going to beat the shit out of you, and that talking about every flat bottom boat thats built. GD has alittle V but its not going to help you out.....I'm running 14x48 3/16 everything and im all over the bays in south louisiana fishing reds.... If I had a 18x60 I think I would be fishing in the gulf lol but a 18 foot flat you can get pass some rough stuff.

Now my tail is out on the water and will not start. It is cranking but won't turn over.