ADVICE NEEDED - buying my first boat

[geckel]

What I am thinking so far is I need a boat large enough for 3 and sometimes 4 people (myself with 2 kids + guest). An 1872 center or side console should meet this requirement. I want to be able to handle choppy lake conditions but also enter Caney fork in the summer for striper. I felt that a tunnel hull with a hydrolic jack plate would allow me to use a prop instead of a jet and still get the job done. This way i can lower the prop for lake usage and raise for shallow usage. The boat that I'm eyeing right now is the seaark 1872 MVT with a 115 hp motor. I would love some advice from you guys that boat the Caney.

[old sailor]

I have a 1652 mvt that I have been fishing out of three years. I have a 40 merc 4 stroke on it and it pushes me close to 30 mph. I can go about anywhere I want But you have to know the river well. Bought mine pretty bare and rigged it myself. I put aircraft floorboard material in it. It is a honeycomb material that is very light and durable. It is a good boat but like any of the factory boats they are .100 or .125 thick and won't take a lot of abuse on the rocks.

Regards

[geckel]

I don't have the know how to custom build my own boat but honeycomb board filler sounds like a great idea...maybe not if you do puncture the hull though.

How does a tunnel hull handle in normal deep water conditions? Top speed? Vacuum? I ask because the opinions seem to vary wildly.

Will a prop motor with a hydro jack plate run shallow enough for Caney fork or is a jet necessary?

I am hoping to have a great all around boat with a range of capabilities.

[nofish]

I've been wanting one of these for along time. I don't know have the need for shallow water running very often, but this would do the trick. These are Compeau's SJX boats.


Fun video/durability:
http://m.youtube.com/index?&desktop_uri=%2F#/watch?v=75V-bvUKHRA

Performance video:
http://m.youtube.com/?reload=9&rdm=mj8x0l5rx#/watch?v=bdRLf9xAdTc

Extreme load test:
http://m.youtube.com/?reload=9&rdm=mj8x0l5rx#/watch?feature=relmfu&v=K6EVQxqaXuk

[fatherof4]

I would get a modified V hull, fiberglass, used, with a two stroke. Spend $3,000, get one with decent electronics, trolling motor and go have fun. Your kids won't care, all they want is to spend time with their dad.

Father of 4