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Guys, I am looking for a new boat to hunt/fish out of. I normally hunt 3 to 4 people out of the boat. I want either a 17 or 18 footer. I am considering Wareagle, Xpress, Seaark, or Gator trax. I have been looking at gator trax's and might go with one of them. But want opinions on the other brands. I will get a open hull with a tiller outboard. What are some preferences on the other brands, and sizes?

A 1650 Express w/ Evinrude E-Tec 40.

I have a 18' GatorTrax and I love it. I would not consider any other b/c the quality is unmatched. Do your research and make up your own mind, but I know that you will not find another brand that will match up. Contact Lipsplitter for a good deal on one.

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Ive got a 17ft war eagle with a 40 tiller. I like it for doing exactly what you are describing. That being said my next boat will be a mud boat with a surface drive. Any of the brands you mention are good boats. Might also consider Legend Craft or F&F. HTH

when i get out of school i am getting a gator trax.

honestly, if you're gonna put an outboard on it, any of the above will make a good boat I would also recommend you look at Southern Duck boats, they build a great boat and are forum sponsors, on top of it Jason Rhoads is a great guy and won't steer you wrong...but the gatortrax is really designed for a mud motor with a round chine smooth .125 bottom.... a 1744 would do what you're looking for....but i believe they are 10-12 weeks out on the gatortrax boats right now (not sure though)....

if you are looking for a mudmotor hull the gatortrax will be head and shoulders better than the others mentioned....if you're looking for a mudmotor also look at pro-drive boats, go-devil boats, excel boats, and southern duck boats all build great boats for mud motors.... but i really don't think you need a hull that stout for an outboard (and the .125 hulls aren't optimum for an ouboard because of the direction the stringers are run)....

just my 2 cents after doing a LOT of research over the past 2 months.....

Don't forget about F&F, they are very good boats.

just got my 17x50 gator trax with hunt deck and 35 mudbuddy hd and absolutely love it! if i ever get another boat it will be another gt!!!!!

Check out unioncitymarine.com they have a lot of Wareagles and Polar Krafts.

I like Seaarks and Xpresses I would think they're the best boat as far as ride in rough water. I've never rode in a Wareagle probably just as good.

If all I was doin was huntin in backwaters and not gettin on any big rivers I'd go with a gatortrax.

I have had a Seark 1652 for 8-9 years. It has held up well and been a great boat overall. I have used it from everything from Flounder Gigging to Fishing to Duck Hunting. I am sure anyone of the previously mentioned would be fine. Have heard could things about F&F as well. Hull thickness would be the biggest thing IMO

If you want a boat for shallow water that can take abuse and will keep a transom, then you need a Prodrive.

They are beefed up. Try one before you buy. The guys at Prodrive will build to your specs, in their shop, not out-sourced.

I have been looking and researching alot on Gatortrax's. I would like a mudmotor(and will more than likely go with one) but my concern is that I hunt some shallow rivers and the lake as well as fish these places. So I'm wondering if a mudmotor will be a good motor for fishing or should I go with an outboard. I will take this boat in the timber so a mudmotor will be sufficient there. But, I will duck hunt and cruise out of it more than I will fish.

Does F&F have a website?

Are the wareagle's and other good in shallow water with an outboard? I need all the help I can get. thanks for the reply's so far.

I have an outboard on my 18x54 with a hydrolic jack plate. I can motor in 6" of water in timber and the tunnel hull adds protection to the lower unit. If you rode in my boat you would be amazed. I hunt the Ms. river and flooded timber. If you get a boat set up like mine then there is really no need for a mud motor. imo (my hull is .180) I do everything with this boat Fish the marsh, fish the river, fish lakes, duck hunt, bow fish.

go24, i agree those pro-drives are great boats, but i'm almost positive that go-devil builds hulls for pro-drive from time to time....but that is the only place that pro-drive outsources to, and go-devil builds a great boat as well....

chatahoochee..... a surface drive (short-tail) mud motor will be fine for fishing....but not all the units have reverse, that may determine which one you end up with.... an outboard will go almost anywhere a mudmotor will, if you want to abuse it and don't mind replacing a lower unit every now and then, burning up the motor cause it's not intaking water...but there are a few places that they won't go that a mud motor will.... but the outboard is easier to operate....

kealhofer, wow 3/16"....bet that sucker weighs a bit, i'm curious was that for dent protection or to cut down on the flex with an outboard?

i think for most folks the .125 hulls are more than enough.....for that matter .100 is probably more than enough if you don't go crazy with a boat....