Tunnel Hull Question

[weedeater]

I am looking at buying a 17x44 Alweld tunnel hull with a 40hp on it for fishing and hunting but I have never had one so I have a question if someone can help. How do these boats do in open water such as Big Lake or Toledo Bend? I plan on buying a big boat next yr and this being more of a back water fishing and hunting boat is why I am even considering the tunnel.

[Reefman]

I have the same boat w/ a 25hp 2 cycle yamy. If water gets choppy you might experience some cavitation when coming off waves. Shouldn't present any major problems that a non tunnel would do. I have used mine fishing in VB, Weeks and the Cove. Rather easy to trailer and fish from when calm waters prevail.

[weedeater]

This boat has a Nissan 40 TLDI, how fast will yours run and anyone have one of these motors on a tunnel boat

[Reefman]

Originally Posted by weedeater

This boat has a Nissan 40 TLDI, how fast will yours run and anyone have one of these motors on a tunnel boat

One of my hunting buddies has a 40 Tahotsu (2 cycle) and it screams! Mine w/ 25hp runs around 28mph with 1 other person. Wish I had the 40....

[wishin i was fishin]

open water you will get beaten up, but the trip is always worth the beating.

[robinr]

I have a 1648 Weldbilt with a tunnel and with just a little ripple in the water it will cavitate. I'm thinking about closing in the tunnel.

[Montauk17]

Southfork makes the best running factory built tunnel on the market. If you want a real tunnel get one of the broussards in pecan island to build one. Their tunnels actually gain speed and create a wicked vaccum around the prop.

[Raymond]

Flat or semi v? Anything more than light chop is uncomfortable. Figure 35 mph light, how much?

[weedeater]

I am giving $5000 motor has less then 10hrs, 70lb Riptide. that's been in water once and prop on motor never been in water. I figure if I don't like the boat I can pull motor and tm off and just get another boat to put them on and sell the boat.

[davidkyle323]

Sounds like a pretty good deal to me! I have a southfork 16-42 tunnel with 40 merc I use this boat so much I find my bay boat just sitting in the shed. If its propped right it will have very little cavitation in choppy water, don't get me wrong it might beat the hell out of u if it's to rough.

[weedeater]

I want this to hunt Sabine Island and fish back waters on river mainly since I plan to buy a bay boat once I finnish building my house.....