Fellas,
When do you make the decision to go from 18 to 21 inch or higher sides? Looking at a a boat in the 1750 range and hunt small to medium sized lakes and the river. Load could be 3 guys, dog and gear more often than not.

Can't say that I ever really remember getting into a bunch of waves, etc...just don't know what the rule of thumb is on higher sides. thanks.

ive never really seen any advantages to low sides... High sides get my vote!

Stick with High sides you will be pleased in the long run.

Either will work. Tall transom is a MUST! I have never seen a situation where 21 inch sides would keep you dry, but 18 inch sides would get you wet.

I went 21 inch sides and don't regret it. When I had my boat built, I thought long and hard about 24 inch sides. Going that high probably would have been Ok too, because I do cross alot of big open water from time to time.

18 inches just wouldn't have been enuf for me.

Years ago ..... AlumWeld invented the all welded boathull. We called 'em ...
Deep and Wides.

The Deep and Wides spread 'coss the country like a wildfire !!! Thay saved many
of lives on the lakes, rivers, and bayous !!!!!

The Deep name arrives from tall sides and the Wide name arrives from not narrow !!

'Bout alls I gots to type 'bout that ...... !!!!

To me, tall sides are better utilized in stumpfields than anything. I can't tell you how many times I've rollled up a stump that would have put 18" sides under water

the boat I have now has tall sides. every other boat I've ever owned had 18" sides. I never had 18" sides put me in a bind, but if you have the money, it's never going to hurt to go taller. At 24" I would think it would start to be a pain to climb in and out of the boat, but I've never tried.

What crews said.

I have owned two boats with short sides and three boats with tall sides. Short is easier to get in and out of. I run what is sometimes very big water...have never been in trouble with the short, but the tall is a drier ride in big water on windy days.

some real good points have been made here (and i've had all, even a gator hide 16") if you feel un safe in a 18" you dont need to be on the water in a 21", 3" aint gonna save yo azz, if your worried bout goin in the drink get a rig w flotation. thats just my opinion

Get at least 24" sides and look like a walleye rig and be done with it. That way you can take on the great lakes!

24" here, but the boat in the back is for the Great Lakes.


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21" sides got my vote. Better to be safe than sorry IMO.

regardless if you have 18'', 21'', 24'', or bigger sides, if you dont know how to drive the boat properly in rough water, your gonna get wet. ive seen guys cut across coves with 2-4 footers in a 19' bass rigs and get soakin wet then i cut across the same cove and stay dry. so knowin how to drive in rough water plays a big role.

22" to the top of the catwalk.