Comparison of Longtail and Surface Drive motors

[game-on]

Can anyone give me a comparison of the new Surface Drive motors versuses the traditional longtails. I own a 23hp go-devil longtail and was wondering is it worth switching? I know the surface drives are faster but how do they do through the weeds?

[David B]

Like an airboat minus the noise. If the water level is right.
Only three things to say about the new Hyper Drive. Love, love and love.

[novaalex]

Here is my personal opinion for whatever it is worth. My partner and I had purchased 2 longtail MudBuddy 24 Honda's. One of them was put on a 1546 Xpress and the other on a 1650Xpress. The 15ftr would put along at 18mph and go through just about anything the drive never had a problem. I went through two different props and nicked up the current one also. The bigger boat would barely make it to 15mph with the longtail and would have trouble going through the skinny stuff unless already on plane. We put a 35 HyperSport on the bigger boat and this boat now hits speeds above 31mph and consistently goes above 25 with three hunters and gear. As far as getting through the thick stuff I took a buddy of mine out a few weeks ago who regularly hunts from an airboat and he commented " this mother.... has balls!" If you are in the Dade/Broward area let me know and I'll take you for a ride that will make you spend some money!!!

[Randy Clark]

alright just keep rubbing it in i am going to have to get that ride when we come down to hunt the stas in january

[Steve W]

I used a longtail last year and just got a short tail this year.

I find the short tail easier to use.

It gets on plane faster.

It goes through weeds with no problems.

Only glitch is hard bottoms, I have found mine has some problems getting going in shallow water with hard bottom. But I may need to angle the motor more away from the transom as it seems to be too low in the water.

[D Duck]

Steve - that is the only major problem with the short tails. I have a hard time in really shallow water with a hard bottom as well.

BTW - I drove a new 35hp GoDevil this weekend. That engine has really got some spunk! Not that impressed with the handling - I guess my PD is just waaay too easy to drive and has spoiled me. GoDevil SD is much the same as driving a long tail. :pottytrai:

[Lawrence]

Interestng observation on the Go-devil SD. That is the only short tail I have experience with and it is a beast. What power. I think it is unfair to call it like a long tail. Those will whip your a$$, no doubt.

[RutnNStrutn]

What is the price of the Hypers compared to the long tails? Aren't they dramatically more expensive? Seems like you can pick up a good used long tail from guys buying Hypers!!! :)

[duckmanJR]

Yes Jim, They are more$$ ...and so far I have heard some "issues" with belts breaking(never at the ramp though :rolleyes: ) or gears in the lower end going out.
The long tail is simpler by design and that is the thing that is nice when out in the deep Shat!.... If it starts up..you're going home! :)

[Wilbur]

One down side for the hypers for me is they dont make them for a small boat (1236). The longtail is slow but it does its job well!

[D Duck]

Interestng observation on the Go-devil SD. That is the only short tail I have experience with and it is a beast. What power. I think it is unfair to call it like a long tail. Those will whip your a$$, no doubt.

Larry - you need to drive a PD. As easy as driving a tiller handle 25hp outboard. Even in the turns at full power. :smileinbo I'm sure the HD Sport is the same way.

Wilbur - I heard that MB is working on small hypers for next year. You might be in luck, but with the crowd you hunt with (read entire family) you might want to consider getting a bigger boat. :)

[Wilbur]

If they all went at the same time I'd need a pontoon boat! :laughing6 :toothy9:

[fpspecialk]

If they all went at the same time I'd need a pontoon boat! :laughing6 :toothy9:

HEY!!! :sign13: What an idea!!! Maybe that way I could go more often!! :thumbsup:

[David B]

My first response to this thread lacked any info.

WHat I will tell you about the HD sport is this. It handles much the same as an outboard. It planes off quickly, it turns on a dime and it burns very little gas. Hard bottoms and shallow water are a problem. When I say shallow, I am refering to 6" of water or less. THe 35hp motor will push you through most anything out there. Cattails, hyacinths, water lettuce and muck. IF the boat will slide and float you can get through it.

[jeepcj7]

I will summarize what I feel are the key advantages. For obvious reasons (see my signature :) ) the bulk of my experience is with Mud Buddy motors. As others have mentioned, the Hyperdrive will run thru just about anything put in front of them. If you can float the boat, you can run the motor. They are easy to drive with relatively little effort required to turn even at high speeds. In fact after running outboards on duck boats for 25 years I would say they are equivalent at high speeds and FAR, FAR, FAR superior in the thick stuff! :icon_salu

I view it this way: Mud Buddy duck boats have all the advantages of getting back into the thick stuff with speed like an airboat but are far easier to hide and hunt out of. In a nutshell, the performance of an airboat with the huntability of a jon boat.

Everybody that I give a demo ride is amazed with its performance. I usually take someone for a ride where I'll go thru some moderate stuff and their eyes will start to light up. Then I'll let them drive and tell them to go find the thickest stuff out there. Invariably they are apprehensive at first but then once they do it I can't seem to get the wheel back!

As for comparisons with long tails, the main differences are: performance, available clutch options w/ neutral, ease of driving and price. Feel free to IM me or call me at 561-239-0644 for more info.

[Randy Clark]

YEAH now you show up after i already spent 11 grand on a new g3 with a 50 hp motor i get where i want to be but dducks boat sure makes it look easierwish someone would have said hey come on an test drive this so if your selling for a living and it is something we ask about dont be afraid to say so heck i waas the easiest sale that guy had no haggling the price seemed close lets go and that was it of course there is always my next boat

[jeepcj7]

Randy, I am happy to provide test drives. This is definitely a case where seeing is believing. You can describe the performance, characteristics, etc until you're blue in the face and it sometimes doesn't sink in. Now put that same person on the boat and tell them to hold on and watch their reaction. :icon_rabb

Heck, it also gives me another excuse besides hunting to get out on the boat!!!

[Randy Clark]

thanks juan now i just have to convince the wife yes the first boat was the one i wanted and yes i do need the second one also

[N. Cook]

Talk to Tony Sanso (Redfin) he has a great motor for the thick stuff....had a few electrical problems at first...but the motor he has will get through some bad places at a good speed.