Im looking at getting a new SD motor mainly so I can sit down on the longer hauls, and want a semi-v due to some of the larger somewhat choppy waters. I will be getting into the backwaters so I wanted to see what the best semi-v option out there is? I cant afford a true mud hull and do a lot of fishing so I want a kind of "everything boat". Looking to keep it 14-16'
Duracraft, Grizzly, Lowe, etc they all make one, but who's is the most flat and will ride the best with a SD, or does it not really matter?

Flattest bottom - closest to 18 x 48 - with .125 or at least .100 thickness....

Express jon boat with the v front runs shallow pretty well, and has high enough sides to handle choppy runs. Havent run your other options.

I tried looking on the websites but I don't see how you tell which is the flattest?

my 14' grizzly runs pretty shallow but you need some weight in the front to have it run flat, the only thing i dont like is that it weighs around 430lbs and its only 14'.

So if I added Pods, would that help or is that minimal ?

I've got a 15-48 G-3 Mod V with a 23hp surface. It's not bad 21" sides so i can run a liitle chop. It don't run shallow thou. If i'm on plane it will run thou anything in deep water it does seem to be ass heavy. Hope this helps.

I own a 18V Bayou Xpress with a Sport V and love the boat. It handles good in shallow and deep water with no problem. for a production mud boat it is worth the money. I would stay away from Tracker Grizzly and had nothing but problems sense day 1.

I like that Xpress too, I was hoping to keep no more than $6k total though.

It will run but be very weight sensetive. If you can get a 35 hp and at least a 16-48. If not the 15 and the 23 isn't a bad combo. I like mine just don't like haveing to watch what and who i put in the boat. Running 3 poeple doesn't work. Where you from. Try and set up some test runs.

Every 35 SD on the market is pushing or over 300 lbs....

Ask yourself this - will an extra 2 feet of hull hurt anything ???

It weighs less than 30 lbs more and carries at least an extra 200 lbs
of motor and cargo due to the greater displacement and the length
is like a long lever to lift that heavy SD....

If you are thinking about how an outboard performs on a given
shorter hull - just go put 4 car batteries in the back of the transom
and take a spin - that is how much heavier a SD is than an outboard...

I hear you about displacement I'm all but I hunt two guys and a dog. I guess I don't want a small boat but don't need a huge boat for just two guys. Plus I want to keep it under $6k used so is that reasonable to expect a 35hp and 18ft boat anyway? All I want is 20mph with a hunt load

I had under 4000 in my first SD rig...

Got used 27 GDSD - 17 42 Weldbilt slick bottom true MM hull with square chines - used trailer...

It is doable if you shop and buy smart...

Damn that IS a deal! Well I agree with what your saying and I have 6 months till season so I'll check out the ads more. Might run it by ya if I find something, but thanks for all the help here

Ive driven pretty extensively a 1546 xpress jon with a 27 sd on the back. With two or three plus guns and gear it planes fine and runs well shallow and deep. With your requirement of running in choppy water, I understand wanting the v front. If you're needing shallow water capability as well, go a foot or two longer, but stay light (the 1546 only weighs 315 or so empty). An 1848 would be well suited to a 35 as stated above but isnt necessary for your needs. There's more than one way to skin this cat. With your price range, youll find the right used rig with some searching and patience.

Alright so im not scared of buying a used motor, but ive delt with issues on a previous motor and had buddies who get a deal and it ends up being work. I was thinking of buying the motor new and the boat used. The difference in cost of a 14-17' is very minimal, i just have to search the threads so im not worried about that, but the cost of a 18hp SD to a 35hp SD just keeps going up.

Are you saying that I could get a 16'-17' used boat, then I could still put on a Dixie 23hp for $3k and that would push 3 guys? If not, what is the minimum hp I would have to go with. a 25hp is $4.5k and a 35hp is $5.5k, yea the step ups arent THAT bad, but it all adds up at the end of the day so im just trying to figure out how to do it the best.

Take it from me...I put a SD on a regular mod v Jon boat 8 months ago. I'm already looking into new hulls and motor mods. My situation was a little different than yours as I already had a hunting boat and no motor...but I'll tell ya you can watch the performance drop with every extra pound you put in the boat. The load carrying ability falls off fast. Too many decoys, an extra person, ice/water in the boat and getting planed out can be a real chore.

I wouldn't go duracraft
That's my finger stuck thru the side if the boat



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Do a quick search of Dixie before you decide to go that route.

Grizzly Tracker

Dont know compaired to other boats but my 1448 held a 40hp honda on there well for a day and had no problems, i think that tracker is over exagerating when they use all the bracing in the hull and as a downfall it adds weight. Love the boat tho its a tank


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If your on a budget check out weldbilt. I think the Crawdad models have a smooth bottom. They have the best prices on aluminum boats hands down. Backwoodslanding.com

X2^^


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Yea I do like the Crawdad and have seen a few customer pics, but the only issue is that it doesnt have a front platform. It has a small deck you can put a lightbar on, but nowhere big enough for the dog.

Thanks man. I agree we just don't have any custom builders and I don't know anyone with a true mud setup to even ride in it and understand the true feel. But I'll look into the custom route.. any around NC/SC you know of ?

Contact chad at prodigy. He's in northern georgia, might be able to get him to take you out in one of his before you buy.

Im in northern Alabama, just shy of Pulaski tn, but still pretty far. And do not get a mod v, been there done that. The price was great but not good enough to make up for loosing performance and shallow ability.