I finally got around to taking the boat out again a couple of days ago. It seemed to be much more stable with 2 people. The second person in the bow really helps compensate for me and the engine in the back. Runs a bit slower (predictably) with two, but it is still plenty fast. Got into some good mud and it didn't have any problem sliding over small islands and going through any mud. The only thing that stopped me was when the cut got so small and winding that the boat couldn't make the turn. In that case it is really easy to hop out and turn it around and head back out.

Without building up the gunwales I do get some spray into the boat when running deep water. I ordered some spray rails to add on that hopefully will solve that problem. The tiller handle is pretty awkward, but I want to run it some more before I start bending it to fit my rig. Not sure if I want to bend it straighter for sitting down or leave it and build a grab bar to stand up......

Take the tiller. loosen the bolts and twist it down and away from your sitting position. You'll have a little left turn capability, but it should be more comfortable.

Also, why not glass up the transom. You can get some ply cut to fit, then glass it all up.

Why didn't you just turn right with that PW, lock it in, disconnect the sway bar and punch it? You'd went right through that ditch.

Cmiller, if I rotate it that way it will be all the way over to the port side gunwale. I would then have zero ability to turn to starboard. (skinny boat problems ) I'm going to glass up the small cutout where the duct tape is now. That will bring it up to the full height of the transom. I kinda like the little fake hunt deck........ although I don't know why. It does make it harder to swamp the stern.

Will, my powerwagon is nowhere near that badass, that ditch was about four feet deep of soft soft clay. You could lose a D9 dozer in that sum'bitch!