What boat engine combination for the Skagit Flats

[bod]

 What boat combination for the Skagit Flats opinions welcome.

[Mfowl]

17-18 ft jon boat with good gunnel/side height and perhaps a mod V bow for lightening the thud against chop paired with a 35hp surface drive motor. Or a 40hp prop outboard mounted on a jack plate.

[Special T]

Macs Skeg protector is a must!

[h2ofowlr]

I had an 1860 SeaArk that I used to use in the flats.  I see the surface drives running out front frequently.  Those are made for mud, it's more of a packed sand when the tide drops, so you can burn through some props. Probably work a bit better than a standard outboard.  I wouldn't use a jet as it clogs to much out in the bay and if you are clipping along pretty good, it will throw you. 
I had purchased a jet just for running the Skagit flats and that lasted one season before I replaced it.

If it's just you and one other a smaller sled will conceal better and provide better hunting.  Like a 14'-16'.

[Jakobv]

I second mfowl on the surface drive! Best decision I ever made and never have looked back, on the boat side I would prioritize high gunnel side walls, I wish I had higher sidewalls


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[metlhead]

I run a jet cause my boat does double duty. I'd really ptefer a prop for the extra power while hauling so much wet gear. The one situation it excels is running wide open up long gradual mud flats to the grass. The jet is blowing mud and I slide ride up without the need to walk in knee deep goo. A prop would be waiting at least another hour, and that is past prime shooting in my area.

[RobinHoodlum]

I've had a couple setups I've used for ducks on Skagit Bay.

First was a 14' Lund V-hull with deep transom and a 25 horse Evinrude 2 stroke. Worked great for 2-3 guys + gear. Fast and cut the chop great, but hull ran little deep and manual lift on motor was a pain to deal with in the shallows. Plus the aging motor was always a minor concern (though it never failed).

Current boat is a 15' Lowe Roughneck modified V hull. Though a touch longer seems more nimble and can run in shallower water. Motor is a Honda 4 stroke that purrs and has hydraulic lift, which is helpful in low water conditions.

I've gone back and forth on transitioning to a jet engine to run even shallower, but the clogging issue just isn't worth it. The weather can go south so fast on the salt and the last thing I need to deal with is a clogged motor when it's time to gather the deeks and run for the launch.

[bod]

What clogs the jet pumps I have one and don't want to get in a situation where the jet becomes clogged.

[Mfowl]

What clogs the jet pumps I have one and don't want to get in a situation where the jet becomes clogged.

Eel grass, milfoil, mud and soft sand can all get sucked up to your jet foot and block the water intake killing your jet's thrust. Usually it happens when you engage the throttle in shallow water/weed beds to get up on step. Eel grass and milfoil can be very dense and your jet foot has tremendous intake power. It can suck the seaweed right out of the mud. A few bits of floating seaweed likely won't clog your jet but a large kelp pattie on the surface definitely could. I have not used a jet out in the salt but I have had problems with this on the east side in lakes while duck hunting. I've also had my OB/electric props get bound up by milfoil.

[KFhunter]

I've never been in a surface drive boat, they move out pretty good?  Easy to steer and run?

[Mfowl]

I've never been in a surface drive boat, they move out pretty good?  Easy to steer and run?

I don't own one but have been in them. They are fun and effective. Best used with a boat designed for them. Flat bottom, rounded corners from gunnels to base of the hull. Unlike an outboard they are air-cooled, like a giant lawnmower motor. They can be loud too!

[Caseyd]

Kinda like this