So I think I have my brother talked into adding a SD rig to our arsenal. No we are trying to as much research as possible. We are located in the north/central IL. Be running a lot of fishing time in the summer on rivers and some lakes. He does a lot of bass fishing on small rivers and the Miss. So the basic bass fishing load for summer. For hunting areas will be the same, backwaters on the Miss and some of the shallow state locations. Currently we will be checking out 18 footers in the Excel line of boats cause of the layout options and a few dealers semi close. So looking for opinions on boat this boat brand and models.

As for as engine looking at 35 GTR and Mud Buddy HDR. Thanks guys

Exels are turds. Call the phowler guys if you want to look close to home for a boat that will be best suited for mud motor applications. Either motor choice will be fine

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Gearhead, im also in central il and have been looking for hull for my pro drive. Phowler boats are great but you'll pay for the convenience of being close. Nice ass boats though. If at all possible dont rule out a trip down south for the right boat. Ive done alot of calling around and ill tell ya your dollar goes alot further down there. I got a quote from one of sponsors on here for a boat and trailer. For shits and gigs I also got a quote on the Alweld mud series through another dealer in IA (not phowler). The alweld was smaller, thinner gauge material (.100 ) and had less of the options I was looking for and was still much higher priced than what I was given for a 3/16 boat from down south with all the goodies. The money saved will actually pay for the trip Im going to be making.

Yeah I know all about Phowler. I designed a 2060 and they built it for me. Paul was fine to deal with, but some of his prices have gone up and it seems it would be more expensive to get some of the same conveniences that the Excel hull offers in a Phowler. The fact that they have to fabricate everything they make it more costly. Fit and finish wise the Excel models look pretty slick.

I would listen to these guys about excels. I believe you run around in pool 13 don't ya. that is phowlers back yard on that river. Brick and I are in central ill and I believe you Know a guy named AJ here in central ill. we can run ya around in mud boats around here if ya wanna try a couple diff combos.

This is true, I own an Excel and wouldnt go that route. Great boat for an outboard. Mudmotor... Im getting by.

Boy, I knew there was a little negativity toward them, but not this much. Interesting to say the least.

Well u asked


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You are correct. And glad I did.

I love my gator trax. It has been ran hard for 11 years now. From running timber to crossing over levees. It has held up extremely well. No dents in the hull, never any issues. Not to mention Kent and his crew are very helpful, honest, kind people

I believe you can also get them shipped to Bass Pro Shops as they are a Gtrax dealer.

We have discussed the Gatortrax hulls and like them other than the cross supports that stick up out of the floor. We both just thought there would be a lot of tripping walking to the front over the course of the summer while fishing. Do you fish out out of yours? Do you notice them during hunting season? I'm sure you get used to them to a point though.

At first I hated the bracing above the floor as it looks like an afterthought in design, still don't really like it, but I've never tripped on it nor anybody else... The portion running up the sides does allow for attachment of the Dubro style rode racks though so its all good

There are a lot of rigs for sale in the classified here on MMT. I can say that if I was to go and buy another mm rig I would start here in the classifieds. There are some really good deals.

I hunted and fished from a 1650 gator trax for seven years. We are now running a 2054 WC custom. You cannot go wrong with either of these in my opinion. I am impressed with my HDR also.


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