Sled hulls

[Keeth1123]

What’s the reason to run one of them sled style hulls?

[GMAC 76]

it is really hard to give a definite reason but if ya ever drive one (a good free running no hop rig) then you will know the reason....

[swamper2]

Number one reason to me would they don't collect a boat load of debris if you travel high vegetation even with a grass rake. It take a lot of time to remove weeds out from around all the rigging in a conventional hull.

[lilly-Pad]

I think a free riding not hop sled is a sexy beast but I am partial

[John Fenner]

The true reason the south Florida style grass boats or "sleds" perform in virtually any terrain, when built for the area it is designed to run which is key, the width of the hull is measured by the actual footprint of the hull bottom, not the overall width of the rear gunwhales and the length, they measure from the chines, where the sides are bent, that and minimal taper of the hull, smooth transition rake at the front, proper transom "kickup" and a properly set bottom will allow a well designed boat virtually be on plane in a single hull length with minimal throttle need.
Now compare say a diamondback hull or a reputable glass hull, they are classified as say a 7'wide hull, but this is at rear gunwhale top measurement, if you measure at the chines, nope, you are lucky to have 6'4" of footprint at rear, and the taper of the boat is drastic, so consider how much throttle is needed to get this type of hull onto a plane, and to maintain a plane at low rpm cruise.
Rule of thumb, weight vs horsepower as in anything, it is 70% hull, 30% power for best result, you can have a bad to the bone powerplant and a crappy hull, you will wear out the powerplant having to push the crappy hull, or you can have a moderate engine and a free running and docile hull and not burn up the engine or the fuel for that matter.
Hope this answered the question.

[Seven3]

The true reason the south Florida style grass boats or "sleds" perform in virtually any terrain, when built for the area it is designed to run which is key, the width of the hull is measured by the actual footprint of the hull bottom, not the overall width of the rear gunwhales and the length, they measure from the chines, where the sides are bent, that and minimal taper of the hull, smooth transition rake at the front, proper transom "kickup" and a properly set bottom will allow a well designed boat virtually be on plane in a single hull length with minimal throttle need.
Now compare say a diamondback hull or a reputable glass hull, they are classified as say a 7'wide hull, but this is at rear gunwhale top measurement, if you measure at the chines, nope, you are lucky to have 6'4" of footprint at rear, and the taper of the boat is drastic, so consider how much throttle is needed to get this type of hull onto a plane, and to maintain a plane at low rpm cruise.
Rule of thumb, weight vs horsepower as in anything, it is 70% hull, 30% power for best result, you can have a bad to the bone powerplant and a crappy hull, you will wear out the powerplant having to push the crappy hull, or you can have a moderate engine and a free running and docile hull and not burn up the engine or the fuel for that matter.
Hope this answered the question.

John speaking of minimal taper, what taper do you have your hulls bent at? 5 or 6 inches?

[John Fenner]

5 per side

[glades cat]

Love them Glades grass sleds.

[HomesteadSlide]

Love my sled ! Just gotta be a little more careful than most other boats with stopping.

[OneBFC]

Love my sled ! Just gotta be a little more careful than most other boats with stopping.

Not all sleds suffer from that. A deck over built for it can be very comfortable in any water depth.

The really light sleds with super short transom indeed need to be careful with.

[HomesteadSlide]

Love my sled ! Just gotta be a little more careful than most other boats with stopping.

Not all sleds suffer from that. A deck over built for it can be very comfortable in any water depth.

The really light sleds with super short transom indeed need to be careful with.

I have an 8 1/2” transom 3/4 deck, not much to play with. Never liked full decks due to not being able to really haul much out to camp, also like the look of a 3/4 deck much better.

[Rich Andrews]

much rather stop short w deckover than an open hull any day

[southern safaris]

I've heard folks talk about sleds having a little camber built in the hulls, can someone explain that a little pros n cons cause i know some just turn the sides up dead flat , just wondering if its like my roundsided hulls, the contour of the sides can make em or break em so to speak....

[Rich Andrews]

I've rode in a bunch...some do this some do that. Lots of private back yard guys do a heck of a job and some so called ones who do it as a biz dont do as well of a job. Got to know what to look for or see it run before you buy it. A whole lot depends on a success sled build its not just the hull. The best hull can be fkd up by a stupid engine mount or seating arrangement