Just based on what you can get around here that is cost effective... I would call Backwoods Landing and talk about a price on a Weldbilt looking at an 18x48 and run a tiller 40hp Tohatsu on it with a setback Jack Plate w/ breakaway. No tunnel. I would get the rear bench, and a low casting deck up front. That way you have extra space to stack decoys on the bow. I would get the side panels to cover the ribs and seal up the floor. That's to keep dog food and other trash from going down the gap. Rear pod seats with the gap up the middle are nice for rear seats but I always feel like I'm reaching too far for a tiller handle if I'm running timber and having to make evasive maneuvers. They make the seats wide enough to get you over in the middle of the boat and you've lost space at that point over just a simple rear bench. Gun Boxes are nice but they collect junk. I prefer an open boat with the least amount of "stuff" in it as possible. Mud Buddy use to make a side gun sleeve for 2 guns that was better than the gun box to me.


I've had every major brand mud motor, every size mud motor, every size boat from pirogue, sculling boats all the way up to 20+ footers with large outboards. War Eagles, TDB. Mud Boats, Custom Legend Craft....I've done it all. I've had people build boats. Custom 100%. Some of these hull designs on these new "mud boats" with all these fancy bends and crimps on the sides are completely stupid. They look cool. You are paying to look cool. I can look at the chines and tell you they don't run good in the mud. They are fancy looking though that's where it ends.

Unless you plan to hunt on a WMA with a 25hp restriction an 18/48 setup like I described above will get you anywhere you really need to go. Get you 2 nice push poles from Go-Devil and that's your best setup for hunting anywhere other than a Louisiana swamp or delta somewhere there might be a ton of mud flats. Even then I've watched Cajuns run a 40hp on a jack plate where I thought only a mud motor would go. As long as you are experienced and know what you are doing you won't burn up the motor or tear up the foot as easily as some would lead you to believe..