Thinking about a tunnel hull

[kbleger]

I've been thinking about getting a tunnel hull for this season. I will be doing most of my hunting in Texas on the coast this year. From my scouting the area out there are a lot of sand flats with some mud that are around 1 to 1 1/2 foot of water. I'll self admit that I don't know much about them so any insight would be greatly appreciate. I was thinking a 18x44? Would typically hunt 2 with an occasional 3rd person. Would most likely be paired with a 40hp.

Vented vs non? Tunnel design? Any particular brand? Can you run a semi v?

Thanks

[dedwards04]

I personally think a flat bottom set up right will go just as shallow as a tunnel and not loose the performance that you do with a tunnel. I have a 16/56 edge duck boat with hydraulic 12" setback plate. right now I can run my prop shaft level with the bottom of my boat and still get water pressure. at this point my prop is blowing out so im thinking I still have a little more to come up once I get a prop with some cup in it. I am running a 40hp 3 cylinder merc and have modified my lower unit slightly to help the water intakes. I hunt and fish marsh and Ive got up in some pretty shallow stuff. I believe if it was much more shallow you'd have to have a mud motor to get up. I think an 18' flat bottom with some setback and strong motor will surprise you

[kbleger]

Thanks, I'll look into that. I'll probably need an extension for my tiller as I run a 1656 dbst but that's cheaper than buying a whole new boat!

[Roy123]

An 1844 tunnel is a pretty good size boat and works well in the marsh. A 40 hp is about ideal on it too. There is no set back that will perform as well as a tunnel set up correctly. Yes you lose some speed and maneuverability, but you are not comparing similar things. We built set backs and blades for years trying to run with other tunnel boats on the lease.

[thatguytyler]

I run the alweld with the performance tunnel, a 40 etec, 4 blade prop, and the Atlas mini jack and haven't had anywhere I couldn't get up or run. Mainly marshes around Sabine and Laccasine refuge

[kbleger]

Thanks!