Thinking of buying my buddies witha 40hp nerd in great shape for a smaller boat to take down south. It's light, rugged and has plenty of space for a hunting buddy and my two dogs and gear. Anyone run something like this?

Carolina Skiffs are like riding in a bath tub with a motor on it. The wettest riding boat you can buy. If there is no wind you will be fine but anything over 5 mph that is blowing across or into you you will be soaked from head to toe after 5 minutes.

You will wish you would have bought a bigger boat. You will be pretty limited with a 16' boat if you are hunting the bays. Check around for a 20' or longer, I think you will be happier, more comfortable, and safer.

You will always want something bigger/faster, However, if its in your budget and is what you want then what does every one else's opinion matter anyway? I've hunted from 14/42 jon boats with a longtail, to now having an 18/48 surface drive boat/motor. You make it work for you and you will love every minute of it. I've seen days were the east texas lakes were too rough for my 20ft bay boat, let alone a flat bottom. What I'm saying is there will always be times when you have to pick and choose where you hunt.