shoveler_shooter said:
If it's the size of a sneakboat (<14ft) and you're gonna be going relatively slow anyway, probably doesn't matter. Anything bigger than that, you'll want a hull designed for a mud motor. All these people keep putting mud motors on outboard hulls, then they realize it was a bad idea because it wasn't designed for that. A mud hull should have the transom back behind the main compartment of the hull. When you look at the manufacturers' websites it'll indicate the type of motor it's intended for.
And mud hulls tend to be made sturdier than outboard hulls. It's gonna get abused more, therefore you want something extremely solid.
Ditto. Slick bottoms.
Also configuration of boat depends on if you want a long tail or a surface drive.
Longtails works best in long and narrow boats. Surface drives, wider and longer. Either works best with slick bottoms. Longtails give you more leverage; but will beat you up and, surface drives drive better.
I have a longtail and it doesn't perform great for a number of factors. But it gets the job done.
I've been looking to upgrade for the past number of years; but there's always something to spend money on other than a duck boat.
I will say this, get bigger than you think you need in both boat and horsepower. Also, consider the areas your predominantly hunt. If you have to cross a lot of deep water and only a short drive in lower water, consider an outboard and trolling motor or push pole. Whereas if you're in mud, weeds, and backwaters 70-80% of the time then you may consider a mud motor.
Another thing to think about is weight and launching from makeshift ramps. If that's the case, get something that will carry you a load and tell everyone else to get their own. Lol (Yes I've considered this too).
