Mud motor question?

[surfman]

I have a 14’ jon it is a 1472 model but the bottom is actually 48” wide. I was thinking of putting a jet on it but, I am now thinking a mud motor would serve me better. What size should I get? The boat is rated for a 35hp OB. I don’t need a bunch of power because I use it by myself a lot but, if I have someone else and a bunch of gear I don’t want to be underpowered either. What is the minimum hp I should get? Thanks.

[D Duck]

Get the max hp that you can hang on that transom safely. Remember that a MM will not go as fast as an OB, but are also heavier for the same rated hp. I would look at one of the MB mini's.

Get with Sid (Fast Duck Motors) and he'll give you all the intel.

[brightlights]

If you can handle the long tails youll save some money. A 16hp will push your rig along (10-12 mph) but the 25 LT will get you moving at a more decent rate @ 15-18 mph.

Make sure you measure your transom 16" VS 20".......

A surface drive will move you faster, but may not get you in and out of the thick stuff as well....Depends on how care full you run and your approach to the nasty.

[surfman]

I have started looking and the hypers or surface drives are about 2X the price of the long tails from what I have seen. I like that MBMini but $4300 is a lot to spend for a few MPH. Heck for that maybe I should just buy waterfowl fools rig.

[snipeshooter]

There is more of a difference than just speed. A shorttail is much easier to drive and steers more like an outboard. Do yourself a favor and drive a longtail before you buy one there is a big difference.

[surfman]

There is more of a difference than just speed. A shorttail is much easier to drive and steers more like an outboard. Do yourself a favor and drive a longtail before you buy one there is a big difference.

Yes, the long tail looks a little squirrely.

[Pinman]

Steve I've had a 21 HP longtail on a 1448 jon for 10 years. You will get used to driving it. What will make a difference is how far you want to go to scout/hunt and how heavy a load you want to carry. I am great with 2 people and gear for up to 3-4 miles on easy terrain. If you want to carry more, or go further than that, a short tail but more $ may be the way to go.

[mudduck109]

I run a 1542 with a 24hp honda longtail. 17mph with two guys and gear. It goes where ever I tell it to, but it can be exausting. I'd recommend no less than 25hp on a long tail and 35hp with a surface drive.

[brightlights]

Surfman, I own an outboard rig like Fools and a longtail......I have run the longtail into alot more places this year, however, in the end I could of hunted in 80 % of the places in my outboard, and moved at 25-30 mph vs 15-20 mph

[FastDuck]

You have a few options to choose from and a long tail is rough to handle but if you are on a budget it is still an option. The 27hp Mini would be the best choice probably not too heavy and will give you enough power as well. The inherant problem with the shorter boat is you get a bow up condition and makes the boat a littel squirrely in the wind with a bigger heavier motors that are available today. The 27 Kohler is one of the toughest in the industry. Very dependable. If you hunt by yourself and do not have a haevy load all of the time the 23 mini will work well also. There is about $200 difference between them.

[surfman]

Thanks for your responses guys, I figured I would get a variety. My wife is not too keen on me spending $4500+ on a new motor at this point I told her originally $25 - $3k, I am sure you all know how that goes.

I will be using the boat a lot for fishing as well and probably a lot more for that than duck hunting. The areas I like to fish have rocks and that is more of a hazard than the mud. I am not afraid of the long tail but think the short tail would be better suited for fishing. I like the 23 mini but if the 27 is the same weight what the heck.

I currently have a 9.9 4s and all you can buy now is a 4s except Evinrude and even their 30 hp is 160#. I think I will start saving my pennies up and look into the short tail for next year.

In the mean time I will need to take some rides in various boats to see what I like the best.

[krimmie]

My wife is not too keen on me spending $4500+ on a new motor at this point I told her originally $25 - $3k, I am sure you all know how that goes.


Probably plenty of "ex" wives that were not too keen on spending $4500!

[surfman]

Probably plenty of "ex" wives that were not too keen on spending $4500!

I already got one of those, don't really want another.:D I can make do for now.:eusa_booh

[Steve.r]

Surfman I have a 27mini on a 1542 tracker and it is a great rig take everywhere i want togo and then some , wellworth the moneys , I all so do alot of fishing and long run are great with the surface drive, also had a 25 GDLT that was a great motor to but it would get tough to handle after some of the runs I,ve made , don't know where you live but after the season I would be glad to let you check my boat out to see if you like the mini in action.One man load in shallows i've hit 28mhp and 26 with two guys and thats Tailfisher ( He's a biggin )

[Kevinwwings2]

I have a Tracker 1548 with a 27 hp Backwater Long Tail and it will go about anywhere you want to go, but is slow getting there. It also can be a left arm work out. I would for sure suggest driving a LT before buying one. The good part is, it is efficient. I probably ran close to 20 miles today and on less than 2 gallons of gas. My speed is between 13 and 18 depending on load. 2 guys and hunting gear is the 13, hunting gear and 1 is 17.7mph. If you do any kind of trolling I would avoid the LT, as I am sure that prop would find the line eventually. IF your near Port St Lucie and want to try out a LT let me know.

[filter]

i have a mud buddy mini 23 SD, its a great little motor. i have it on a 16ft Alumacraft, the motor is stage 3 with heads, carb and all the goodies. its easy to drive, fun to drive and will go anywhere. by myself it will run 30mph and with a load i can hit 24mph, i say find you a used mini 23 and put pods on the boat to help with the weight.

Lenny

[tailfisher17t]

Surfman I have a 27mini on a 1542 tracker and it is a great rig take everywhere i want togo and then some , wellworth the moneys , I all so do alot of fishing and long run are great with the surface drive, also had a 25 GDLT that was a great motor to but it would get tough to handle after some of the runs I,ve made , don't know where you live but after the season I would be glad to let you check my boat out to see if you like the mini in action.One man load in shallows i've hit 28mhp and 26 with two guys and thats Tailfisher ( He's a biggin )


What the HE LL Does that mean!! He's a Biggin?>!?!!?!<

I run a 31 GDLT on a custom 17/50(ish) express and can do 21 mph. 19.5 with a SUPER worn prop and 3 guys gear and so on I am doing 16ish.

And thats not with Steve R in my boat cause he is from Gibby town!

[Raul G]

surfman, lots of good advice here. Before you spend the money, get a test drive. FastDuck is very knowledgeable and you do have several options. I suffered with a conventional outboard for many years and the LT got me to the "promised land" and back very efficiently. It sure depends on the areas you run, the distances and loads, whether your boat is just for duck hunting or multipurpose...for the skinny water, relatively short runs, and hard bottom areas in south Florida, you can't beat a longtail. Unless my left arm gives out, and I feel it at the end of the season, I cannot justify a surface drive. Over the years I've seen many 1448 hulls carrying 23, 25 and 27 Kohler LT's and they are dependable and very economical motors, I presently own a 27 MB longtail (2004). Kevingwings2 has a newer entry design by Backwater that from testimony I've read, promises to be more user friendly with their cavitation plate modification. I think almost everyone goes through "paradigm shifts", like I started with a 1436 and an 18 HP GD LT and went to a 1544/ 25 GD LT, and now a 1648/27 HP LT, and am looking eventually to a 17-1848 with a 35 LT....enjoy!

[Raul G]

surfman, I don't mean to "spin a thread" here, but I am curious to ask FastDuck about the motor units out there in North Florida, South Florida. Some down south here have sold their mud motors (whether MudBuddy, ProDrive, Gatortail, etc.) and bought airboats. This was mostly predicated upon the shallow conditions of late, bigger loads (the family and hunting party numbers grew)- not necessarily upon the stagnant economy. I have read several posts in the last five years where some mud motor owners have sold them and returned to their conventional outboards, realizing that most of the areas they hunt are fairly clean waters and mostly accessible, and their regular outboards were and are faster and generally cheaper. I have heard cases of fellows ruining their left arms (eg. rotator cuff) and going the shortie route because there is less effort expended and they are easier to run by far. I know that conditions here on the south side, like the Glades and the Big O, with hard bottoms, do not necessitate a shorty but long runs and big loads do make that a good move. Filter has a great fit on his hull with that modded 23 Briggs- I can surely see a stock 23 mini SD moving that 1448 in a hurry. Good shopping!

[surfman]

Excellent info guys, now I am really confussed??:Confused5 Not really I really think the short tail is probably the better way to go but, the LT is cheaper and will get the job done more or less. Hopefully by next fall I will be in good enough shape that I can bite the bullet and lay something down, in the mean time I hope the OB I have hold up.

[contractor]

Make sure you try both before you buy. I started out with a 14 jon with a 9 hp gdlt and still have it. I bought a bigger used boat that had a 20 hp gdlt used it one time and ordered a 35 mb surface drive. It was like wrestling with a gorilla with the 20 hplt. Ihave never had a problem with the surface drive taking me where I wantd to go. Except that time I misjudged the tide.

[bronze man]

I have a Tracker 1448 with a Mini 23 and i love it besides the fact that i constantly over load it with my pals but when it's just me it sores like a bird and there's a ton of modifications you can add to it.
Sid has the best advice when you're upgrading or buying a new rig..

Good luck Mate

[surfman]

I have to say I am really struggling with this now because I can get a good deal on a new 20 hp OB and that would be nice, the mini 23 is something I really want to try though. I may end up getting the OB since it is half the price of the MM and see how I do. Most of the places I hunt I can use the kayak. There have also been some really great deals in the classified section that I can always come back to later if I change my mind. I need to decide soon.

[filter]

check mudmotor.com there are some in the classified ads. you might have to travel to get it, but its well worth it.

Lenny

[surfman]

check mudmotor.com there are some in the classified ads. you might have to travel to get it, but its well worth it.

Lenny

Lenny, was that mudmotor or mudbuddy.com?? Mudmotor is not returning a site in search.

[tailfisher17t]

www.mudmotortalk.com

[filter]

Mudmotortalk.com and mudbuddy.com mud buddy you have to reg to there fourm to see it all

Lenny

[Drake]

Mudmotortalk.com and mudbuddy.com mud buddy you have to reg to there fourm to see it all

Lenny


You have to register on mudmotortalk.com to see a lot of the pictures.

[surfman]

That Dixie 16 hp looks nice and in my price range but how about salt water use?