Ahhhh mohunter, the myth, the legend. However, word on the street is that he learned everything from his hunting partner.

x10 on all of the above(except for Godevil boats, they are tin cans)

I ride 3-4 days per week when I'm home. I take pleasure in leaving my passengers white-knuckled and trying to steer from the front of the boat by leaning wildly to one side or the other.

Some people like to feel the wind on their face on a Harley....others prefer to ride 4 wheelers....I want to smell swamp gas!

That's because you only talk to him, ask him who took him on his first duck hunt about 24 years ago.
I am sure he told you about our 6 man limit Saturday, and sure he said he found that spot too, fun times.

How did ya'll do anyway Saturday?

I've heard that same story myself.

\

Rodney post a pic please.

pic of what?

Your boat

[URL=http://s538.photobucket.com/user/Butchrps/media/IMG_0064.jpg.html][/URL

What size is that one?

Good looking rig

1854 with a 4 stroke Yamaha 70

That is it, thank you Rodney. That is the set up I have been crowing about. That is as all around as you can possibly get. There is no two ways about it. I have a long history with boats. If I were to go plop cash down on a boat you can bet the last nickel under your couch cushion it would be like that one. A lot of people got hung up in the "I got to go through nothing but mud" craze phase, call it what you will. A lot of people includes me as well. In my defense though, we weren't paying $15,000 for mud rigs. Most of ours were parted together.

That's what I was gonna get with the hybrid front end but decided to go a little wider for stability on bigger water

If I hunted and fished in timber I would have stayed with that size

I too would have gone for a bigger hull. I was more pointing out the motor tunnel and overall setup.

Almost ready!!!!

Wanted to bring this back up since I'm in the market and have decided on pretty much the same rig as txtrophy85 and Rodney. I'm wondering about motor size, front deck, pods, etc. I'm mainly hunting big water and my Riverhawk has puckered my butt for the last time! Rodney, anything you would change on your rig? Txtrophy85, any words of wisdom for getting the build going? Also, what is the price range on ya'lls rigs. P.M. me if you don't want it public and thanks in advance for the help.

Changes I would make - delete the gun box and run a cat walk off the left side of the front deck. I would also get the hybrid front end. It was not out when I ordered mine. . My boat is a 1854 with the hunt deck. It does not have a tunnel hull. The boat is great in the timber and open water. It is not great in the rough water. I would call Gator Trax and ask for Kent. He will help you design the boat the way you want it. I am designing a 20-21ft bay/bass boat right now. I will be ordering it from Gator Trax in the next 4 weeks. The price on mine was the low 20's. It was higher because I added the trolling motor, 3 batteries, hydraulic steering and the hydraulic jack plate.

Thanks for the info Rodney. Couple more questions...
Why the catwalk on one side?
Why 3 batteries (24v trolling motor?)
I'm looking @ 1762 hybrid w/hunt deck and outboard motor, you think this will handle rough water?
I've been working w/Rick (Homey da Clown) on putting it all together.
Thanks again.

I like the catwalks as well..but enclosed with lids. Run down both sides. Lotta storage, great when fishing. they just cut into the pocket book a little deeper.

Steve, will have that quote to ya this afternoon. I'll add the cats to give you an idea of extra cost.

btw, thinking 18' would be best for you. At only $142 more, you'll appreciate it's load carrying and quicker planning ability.

My 2 Cents on this, coming from someone that has a Gatortrax 17x50. I would go with an 18 feet boat and ditch the hunt deck if it was me. If you run any timber at all I would skip the hunt deck.
The hunt decks are "all the rage" with the cool crowd factor but if you run a lot of stumps and timber you will regret it. They do look cool though.

Just ask your salesman what he runs and why, I am sure he can discuss the pros and cons with the hunt deck.

hunt deck

By far the most debated option when it comes to these boats. I'll break it down into simple terms.

Yes, if you run ALOT of stumpy areas, rocks, oysters shoals, etc a hunt deck is most likely not the option for you. Why you ask? Mainly because if you crunch enough of those underwater obstructions YOU WILL hook your hull. And it will hook right in front of the subtransom and transom itself---the WORST place you can hook your hull bottom. Why is that you ask? Because at the stern when the bottom of the hull hooks ( dents deeply) , The "hooks" act as "trim tabs" and will cause the stern of the hull to lift up and the bow to push down. Thus putting more bottom surface area on the water than you want, thus creating unwanted drag, thus negatively affecting performance. You will lose several mph and the attitude of the boat handling will be much different, especially when turning. The faster you go the more the nose dives down and stern up. Again, think "trim tab". Trim tabs you aren't going to get rid of with a huntdeck model. Why again you ask? because you cannot get to the "hook" because the huntdeck is fully enclosed and you can't get to the hook from the top side to "beat" it down. Know that this can happen to any aluminum hull, even boats without a hunt deck. But on non-huntdeck hulls you can see the hook pushed up and "beat it back down. It should be noted that if you continuously run obstruction laden waters and could careless about the bottom of your hull as you haul A thru the stump minefield of rocky river without a care and continuously are getting hooks and beating them down, you should know that the integrity of the metal is compromised each time you beat on it. So it becomes that even small strikes on obstructions will begin to hook that area more easily. I tell guys that run heavy-infested areas like that to do one of 2 things or both: First, go to .190 gauge and/or add a couple stringers for more strength. With an outboard package you already gain 1 extra stringer so an extra couple hundred bucks more another one is worth it if ,again, you run the "gauntlet" often.

Now, as to huntdecks with an outboard and CC. IMO, a MUST. Why? Partly because if you don't the top of engine will be riding up your backside as you lean back on your lean post or seat. But also because it will offer a better hole shot, especially with larger hulls. Theres a reason why bass boats are setup this way.

To each his own and if held at gunpoint I'll sell whatever a guy wants. But when asked my opinion, I'll always give my 15 years of experience with these types of boats as to what setup works best, what options are a must, and what options you don't need that you think you do. There is no perfect, do everything you need it to do regardless of the area and situation boat. But you plan/design a boat to handle 90% of any situation and live with the other 10% carefully.

In Yellers case, He wants a CC boat with an outboard to run big, open waters and doesn't plan to run stumpy areas, at least not often, and the man is smart enough to know to throttle down if/when he finds himself in an area like that. His boat will be tailor-fit to his and his only needs. And after all, ain't that the beauty of a 100% custom made Gator Trax boat. Build it the way YOU want it.

And finally, yes, Mo and several others know, I don't run a huntdeck. Why? for the aforementioned reasons. But I have nothing really against them. They just have their place, imo.

Thanks Rick and yes on 1862.

Great explanation Homey. Love my Gatortrax but I run it like I stole it and yes the bottom looks as such for that reason but still performs very well even though the bottom looks like a washboard. The boat is built like a tank though.

Everyone I know running a mud rig has a dented up hull but that is with all brands, .190 or not, the hooking with a hunt deck just makes the situation worse, once again, great explanation.

Outboard is obviously a different situation.

very good explanation, Rick.

amazing how easy it is to make a good recommendation when you know all the facts instead of assuming and shooting from the hip

They don't call him CTJ for nothing.