Texas Sled 18

The Texas Sled 18 is a flats boat with an inverted vee hull. The inverted vee hull or Sea Sleds is a well proven concept: air trapped in the tunnel lifts the hull and creates a cushion that soften the ride. Inverted vee hulls were difficult to build at the time Hickman invented the shape (1914), Their structure is subject to more stress than a regular vee hull but thanks to today’s material, the problem is solved.The large water plane gives a very shallow static draft: 5″ at 1,800 lbs. The TX18 is a very stable fishing platform thanks to the hull shape.The TX18 has a low freeboard: it is easy to get in and out of the boat while fishing.Based on builder’s requests, we show a shallow cockpit and center console. We show a standard layout that can be customized. The decks can be extended, the gunwales can be wider and the sole can be raised.