Laguna Madre 18'

[Jeff]

Very nice!! Congrats, Jeff

[Fuzz]

That is one fine looking boat you have built! And it seems to be working out better than you had hoped so that is a huge bonus I looked but did not see what are you using for a motor?

[Jerid Ray]

That is one fine looking boat you have built! And it seems to be working out better than you had hoped so that is a huge bonus I looked but did not see what are you using for a motor?

Yamaha 50 two stroke 2007 power tilt and trim.
Hydro drive hydraulic steering.
Atlas jackplate.

[Jerid Ray]

This boat comfortably fishes two anglers (+me) with ease and comfort.

Tempress casting seat on an adjustable height pole for the driver was one of my accidental favorite moves. No more back aches from standing all day driving the skiff. It goes way up for high leaning driving and stool height for comfy seating driving. Not sure why this isn't a thing in Skiffs.

The two Tempress seats are comfy as hell for two anglers.
The pockets on the back of the back packs end up being great quick storage for phones and wallets. Plus I can slide a life preserver in each bag to keep storage in the boat open. If I have one guy? No prob. Slide the seat out. My bench seat takes the award though. The storage underneath just SLAPS. NO MORE LOOSE JUNK AROUND THE BOAT.

I lost draft with some the creature comforts like I said, wouldn't do anything different if I did it again. I think its the law of diminishing returns chasing that sub 5-6" draft. I made it my mission to get this thing stuck. it just pushed right out once you hopped out (gator glide for the win). I caught fish way shallow and had no issue getting to everywhere I needed to go , to do so. Every time someone got out I gained .5-to 1 inch of draft. With no one in it and 15gallons of fuel up front (90lbs) I'm drafting right at 4" at the stern.

I did not follow recommendations on prop height. I put my jackplate as high as it would go. I put the motor in the second highest setting it could go. Jacked all the way my prop is half out of the water. All the way down achieves recommended heights

I can get up in SILLY low water. Low water scoops+cav plate were a must and they work welllllll.

Boat needs ZERO trim tabs ever.

The draw back is that it is VERY sensitive with cav plate, four blade and tunnel when it comes to running after getting up. One click on trim can change your grab. Cav plate has to be just right height. With the prop and cav plate creating so much lift it has to be tuned just right once you are up and running when you take off. IT ALWAYS feels light in the ass end when on plane because of it. There are always drawbacks to everything but I'll take the stupid low water running this boat does. Its still very comfortable and easy to tune after getting up.


THIS BOAT SLIDES SO WELL WHEN YOU WANT!!!

jacked all the way, trimmed up I can slide over 2" of water sand bars lower my trim as I finish sliding over and use the tunnel to carve right out. Bombing through shallow marsh I can just adjust trim for 3-4" of water. As it slides on turns just adjusting trim gets me traction, adjust back up with prop half.out of water chipping away. Dudes in the boat were just flabbergasted at how shallow this boat ran.


Can't say enough. This boat just flat out kicks ass. What a design. It poles so good. Its so balanced. Its not tippy at all. I'm impressed.

[Fuzz]

It is great when a new build makes the builder so happy. It sure sounds like the boat is perfect for you.

[Jerid Ray]

Re worked my whole gas tank. Bought a 15 gallon tank. Had my welder reposition the fuel bung and fill neck angle. Glassed in oak supports. Faired it. Gator base and gator glide. Ratchet slots and ratchet straps. Keeps my weight low. Still can't believe the performance of this boat. I've put a few thousand miles on it now. Couldn't be happier.

Finally took some good photos.

[TomW1]

Beautiful boat!!! Tom

[Jeff]

Very nice boat!! Jeff