I am about to purchase a small aluminum tunnel hull boat to fish inshore near JFK Bridge in the Upper LaGuna Madre. I was considering an 1860 to 20 foot boat. Do not plan to make long runs in big open water like Corpus Christi Bay, Galvestion Bay etc. Plan to drift fish and anchor up a lot and fish out of the boat.

Most of my trips will be no more that 6 or 7 miles from the boat ramp.

Does anyone have one, how do they work? Is this a really bad idea? I would like to know what your experiences have been good or bad.

That isn't "small" to me...

Once you figure out that 6" of water will only produce a 3" wave, and you really don't have to run around the middle of the bay, life gets pretty simple.

Just make sure you:
get enough motor, no one has ever regretted getting a rated engine.
What makes your rig work right is a hydraulic jack plate, compression plate and the correct flats blade prop.

Thank you for your input. One of the rigs I am considering is an 18' 6" GE Tunnel with a 90 HP Yamaha 4 stroke. If I get it I will put a 4 blade prop designed for the boat and motor to get maximum utilization and a good Jack Plate.

I am not trying to get a big bay boat. I am retired, so if the it looks good I go and if not do volunteer work.

I am 68 and I was fishing with my dad at POC 65 years ago and grew up in Cuero. I am familiar with the area, some really good memories. If you are down in the upper LaGuna, give me a call, I would like to meet you and talk fishing. 972-740-1079.

Thanks and have a great day!!!!!

I'm running what your talking about, and I love it. It runs very shallow. It only has a few draw backs: Backing up sucks. Ruff water, tuff crossing the bay, Aluminum will pound you. I also find it challinging to load a flat bottom boat in the wind or swift water.

i have an 18 foot g3 tunnel with 90 hp 4 stroke, compression plate, 4 blade prop, and jack plate. being aluminum is a little rough but its easy to trailer, gets up quick and shallow, easy on fuel. purchasing trailer guides will assist in loading. and the 90 will push it well over 35 mph.