Thinking of downgrading
 

I've been thinking of downgrading from my bay boat to a gator tail rig. I uderstand that I won't be able to go to the island and rigs in the summer and that choppy bays will be more bouncy but I can't duck hunt or frog out of my bay boat. Just wondering if any one has done this and if there were any major regrets involved. I realize that everyone is different but I'm wondering if there is anything I haven't considered in this decision. Thanks for any help

Have 2 boats

I had a nice 15x48 aluminum boat that I sold and got a bass boat that I sold and bought a 17x44 tunnel hull with a 40hp.... I am happier with the boat I have now then ever

have 2 boats

Consider what you use a boat for 95% of the time before you pull the trigger. I have been thinking about getting a center console gator tail myself.

I'd say buy a cheap hull and put a Gatortail on it and have both

The main reason I'm thinking of downgrading is to cut the cost that I currently have with my bayboat. If my cost of running and maintaining was less I'd be able to fish more. I'd love to have 2 boats but that just ain't in the cards. I've been looking at getting Uncle J Custom Boats in Morgan City to build it for me.If I do pull the trigger and go with a mudboat it'll be a 18x54 with a 35 GTR with a few minor modifications.

Well it's definitely cheaper to run

I fished out of a Aucoins flat with a pro drive for about 3 years it is not that bad but you are limited on the days you can fish because if wind. Another problem is the wind will blow you all over and harder to keep the boat in one place. Also have to keep in mind the storage wil be much less in the boat you have built and not a comfortable. If you have a wife or kids that like to fish it will be a pain to bring them fishing for longer periods in that boat. If you do have one build Jason builds a hell of a boat. I have been knowing him for several years not. He stops by the office a few time a week. Just cant get rid of him sometimes.
If you go with the flat hit me up Im always looking for someone to go with me in the big boat to split the cost.

latravcha- thanks I agree Jason build some really nice boats and from what I have been told he is very easy to deal with. As far as fishing with my family my wife and daughter have gotten hooked on redfishing and just don't have the same feelings that I do toward specks. I will have to switch up some of my fishing spots but I will be able to fish in a lot of new areas that I couldnt dream of going in my bay boat. I guess I just need to make up my mind and pull the trigger.

Get the flat boat if you want. Everyone used to fish big lake out of flats years ago.

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Well I pulled the trigger and decided to get the Gator Tail rig. I posted my boat on a couple of different web site and I have someone coming to look at it and test run it tomorrow. Hopefully everything works out so I can order my new boat asap.

Thats a pretty damn cool boat yyou posted for an aluminum. How does it ride?

It rides great I'm just looking to cut some of my cost so I can actually be able to fish more cause the Gator Tail wont burn no where near what my 200 Optimax burns. And I'll actually be able to start frogging and duck hunting again. I can't wait to get my next rig though cause it will be the first brand spanking new boat I have ever had and it'll be designed exactly how I want it done.

What's the speeds to be expected out of a Gatortail?

Around 30 mph....not made for speed made for torque in da mud

I have a 40 on a tunnel and a bay boat but to be honest the bay boat don't get used near enough, the other boat can do so many things and if I had to choose I would def keep my 40.

There are some Gator Tails out there that are bumping the 40mph mark but that is with extensive engine mods. The rig im looking at should run a little over 30 with a light load but with 3 adults, 12 gallons of gas, ice chest, and other items needed for hunting and going to the camp it'll still get on step and run around 25mph. Like Montauk said these rigs are built for mud and extreme shallow water. They actually run faster in shallow water than they do in deep water.

I am curious what kind of mpg a gator tail would get . They probably do not have flow meters I assume. Has anyone checked accurately to know what they get ?

I don't have any exact numbers but a few of the guys I know that run them say they can go to the camp and run all weekend duck hunting, frogging, running jug lines, etc on less than 18 gallons of gas.

I don’t know who is telling you that you will average 30 mph out of a gator tail but the blowing smoke up your ***. You might run 30 with half a tank of gas by yourself running in 2 inches of water. They have another forum out there that have guys that say they see these speeds day in day out but when it comes down to a run they only run about 27. Yes they have some that have hit 40mph with extensive mods but most of them go boom after about 100 hours. You can realistically expect to get 20 to 25 mph loaded with fishing gear ice and 3 people. If you go with the gator tail make sure you get Jason to build to a clutch cover and a reverse plate that attaches to the back of the motor. Without the reverse plate the reverse on that thing is useless and you will take a shower every time you use it.
As far as fuel economy I run WOT for 45 minutes to one of my duck holes and back and burn about 2 1/2 gallons of gas. They do get great fuel economy. I can run all day and only burn 6 gallons of gas this is doing some long runs.
When you come to Morgan City to get with Jason yall hit me up and we can go to lunch. My office is about 5 minutes from his shop.

latravcha- will do I'm all about a good meal. I just sold my bay boat this morning so I will be going see Jason next week as long as I dont get the call to go back to work before then. I won't be running a stock motor. I'll be having Calen do a stage 1 kit on it and I've taken a couple mud baths from a buddies boat so as well as having the reverse plate I plan on getting a hunt deck. Once it get my new boat hooked to the back of my truck I'd like to hook up and go ride if your available too. I live in Houma so I'm not that far away.

That was quick!!!

Get the 45 mud buddy ho is bad

I'm dead set on the Gator Tail cause with the mods that will be done to it, it'll have the same if not more power than the 45 Mud Buddy and it'll also have reverse. Some of the places we run would be a nightmare without reverse.

Just let me know when you want to go. We should be doing a run in the next month or so out of montegut. Once the north wind starts to blow they will have lots of flats to run.

Sounds good Jason said depending on when the build gets started he should be able to have it ready for late February to early March since I'm not in a big rush.

Yea he has a pritty big job going on now for an oilfield company. Plus it is huntin season.