I just ordered a 1854 square front hull. I sold my weldbilt 1860 mod V with side skirts, so the boat basically measured 54 inch across at the bottom. Is it fair to say the 1854 mud hull will be the same size or bigger due to the fact that the mod V boat tapers in towards the bow of the boat? I really don't want anything smaller than what I had before, but the price difference between 1854 and 1860 is about $1,000. I also chose the 1854 because I was told they perform better than the 1860. Is there much difference in performance and size wise between the two to make a signification difference.

Not exactly sure what side skirts are but the 6" of additional width will help load carrying ability a bit. As far as performance, that's likely all you'll notice.

The taper, rake, pull-in, beam, flare etc, all are going to be different from one builder to the next and how he builds his particular design. So there's a lot of variables there. The fact that it's a slick bottom mud hull really has little bearing on that by itself. Not sure what kind of hull you got so the specifics are hard to guess.

The weldbilt had the flat sides with aluminum covering the ribs, so it felt like i lost 3 inches on each side. I measured the whole boat when i posted it on Craigslist, but like an idiot i deleted the pictures so i cant recall the specific sizes of that boat. that's is what i meant by side skirts. The boat i ordered is a 1854 prodigy. Either way I think i will be happy with how it turns out. I just remember the weldbilt at its widest point on the floor was like 54 1/2 inches, so i would assume the two boats would be some what comparable.

If progidy's floor comes in high enough, it'll probably be above the chine and you'll have a ~62" floor at its widest.

Thanks, That pretty much answers my question. Sounds like their 1854 is is more equivalent to an 1856 and will most likely be slightly bigger than my previous outboard rig.