Liberator or talon for flats boat conversion?

[Mhall222]

I have not been able to locate specs such as draft for either boat but i have seen both setup as flats boat. Which would handle rough water best and which would be idea for shallow water fishing. I understand setup may determine which would be idea but, in general which would be most adaptable to a boat for shallow water fishing? I would hope to be able to located a good 250xs for power unless it would cause the boat to be to heavy to work well in the shallows. I really do not need to get in anything less than 12" of water but I do not even know if these boats can get in that empty. Any info on this would be great. BTW, I am looking for a good project hull or possibly complete boat if priced right.

Thanks
Mike

[Storz]

Not mine, but might be a good base.

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?248683-craigslist-find-18-tunnel-project (http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?248683-craigslist-find-18-tunnel-project)

[JUPITER PULSARE]

Talon built flats and shallow water fishing boats for a while. I know they built a 18' Talon and 21' Talon flats boat and a 25' CC..

[XstreamVking]

If you want a shallow 12'' draft fish boat, get a flat bottom skiff. True performance tunnels as a general rule wont float that shallow. If you want a go fast fish boat with 250 hp, you must realize that it will need more depth to operate. I fish flats for a living, so I have seen what works best.

[Mhall222]

What kind of draft could I expect from a tunnel such as a talon or liberator? My Backcountry proguide 201 with a 250xz is pretty much a true 12" water boat but I honestly never get in that shallow. My maverick master angler I had years ago would get in ankle deep water but i had to get off and push it. hahaha I honestly do not care if its 12" boat or not, i just want to be able to fish the flats. I noticed that the new talon F20 is listed as having a 12" draft but maybe that's not a honest loaded down figure.

[XstreamVking]

Real floating draft for the fish tunnels is closer to 16'' when they are loaded with big motors,bait well full, people and gear etc. Most performance tunnels have lots of their wt aft for speed. Will Run fast in 12'' of water with no problem. It's a trade off as you know....

[Mhall222]

I could deal with that.

On a different note, would a 250xs be too much weight for a 18' tunnel? I am talking with a guy who has a fastcat type hull which is 18' long. I assume it could work as long as everything is laid out correctly.

[Mhall222]

Would a bare bones talon 21 hull in good shape be worth $2500?

[Mr. Demeanor]

Ken from PropGods just tested a 16 Talon flats boat with a 200XS that rolled out real good. You might give him a call for the information. He also knows where the molds for the boat just went. Its not my place to say so....give him a call.
http://www.propgods.com/Content2/Default.aspx

[manateemauler]

look at d.c.b. s

[CSD23]

Talon only produced a couple prototype 18 flats, I know cause I have one and my friend has one. They made quite a few 20's though. The draft is around 18''. They can run really shallow on plane but are loud when fishing due to tunnel slap, something to think about. If you were going for the liberator or talon, I would choose the talon. Reason being is I know two guys here in town whom have one of each. The Talon is an F-20 and the Liberator had the deck cut off it and built into a flats boat. According to them the Talon fishes and runs better. The F-16 is a nice boat, but kind of small.

[syclone01]

Talon made a 16ft that will definately support a larger motor, i think the 16 with 200xs ran 72mph? They are hard to find for sale, and will usually have some smaller motor that you will never use anyways. There is a guy on here that builds boats that has a lower hull for sale, no deck that i think he was making for a friends flats project that fell through. I'm sure he could put any kind of deck on it you want. Just remember seeing it on here.

http://www.screamandfly.com/showthread.php?248268-Brand-New-18-LTV-Hull-Only-3500