Newbie needs advice

[SAFARI RICK]

I would like to thank in advance for any advice that may come from this tread.
This is my problem, I bought a d.d. 350 on a 12ft alm. hull from a friend, I have now invested alot of money in this boat (gear box 238:1 six blade warp drive, monster cam, roller rocker arms, alum. heads-holley 750 double pumper and much more...) The hull needs new poly so I welded up all the holes and made a few repairs so now its in really good shape. I meet a guy while doing this that has a 15FT hull (alum.) for sale. He's willing to trade me my hull and a few hundred $ for the bigger hull. Have been told that my hull (the 12ft one) is going to be very torchy. will the bigger hull take some of the torch roll out of the boat or will it not make that much of a difference. This is my first blow boat so I don't know if I'll be happier with the bigger hull or not. Was just hope for some input. Thanks again for any advice, SAFARI RICK

 

[harvey]

SF, I'd almost say get the 15 :but, first let us know who made each hull or the style of each---maybe even pics if possible. Welcome to SA

 

[marshmaster pat]

Safari - If they are in similar shape, I would probably go with Harvey's comment as well and do the swap. It would help if you could post some pictures like harvey said.

I started learning on 12 & 13 footer with lycoming. Then went to larger hulls. But had hard nose teachers on the smaller hulls. Was a long time before I drove by myself.

Those smaller hulls are or can be very responsive, some people say they are two touchy. Newbies are famous for overcorrecting when learning and with a responsive (or touchy) hull, it can make the situation even more dangerous.

So if you keep the small hull, just take it slow and stay in shallow water for a while.

 

[SwampMatt]

ccasion5:

 

[SAFARI RICK]

ok Both hulls are panther, mines has all the holes and cracks welded and is ready for fresh poly. it's not real pretty ( had a warp drive go thru the side but its all fixed now) has a nice dent in the front from a tree. I did the welding myself so i know what was done.Beefed up the stringers on the bottom to try and make it as stiff as possible The 15 ft hull has good poly on it, might last 2 yrs, but did see at least one bolt has pulled thru the poly and several have a lot of silicone on the nuts so I think its safe to say that it has some leaks but hey i was going to put in a bilge pump in anyways. the bigger hull looks better but I think its older. I'm not so worried about how it looks more on how it will handle. and yes I stand corrected on the gear box, it's a 2.37 to 1

 

[fatboy0054]

15 ft sounds fine to me . Panther boats are good . The ride will be better less fight ,with the elements . Its really what you want to do it .The trade offs are the same Remember ever boat does something other, than the other one! And the poly well . dont have to worry about the dust between the stringers and anyway you will have too prime , the pump every once in a while with something !

 

[cntry141iq]

No matter which one you run your in for a treat compared to the dd however the 12' may be a bit of a handfull but if you are careful and or you know something about running one ... its up to you.