surface drive. what size do i need

[#1WATERFOWLER]

I have a GatorTail GTR XD 40HP and really like it compared to the 20HP Beavertail longshaft I had prior. Reverse is a big plus for me but I always keep a push pole in the boat. I found that faster motors can get you into trouble faster lol. Stock exhaust.

 

[JP]

i have an 1995 bass tracker TX17 i bought for fishing but fell in love with duck hunting and trying to make the best of both worlds. im currently tearing out everything in it and just putting an flat aluminum deck in the bottom of it covered with eva foam and possibly building small fishing deck on the front. i'm looking into surface drives. i can't decide if i want an 25 hp or 35 hp ill be using it for duck season fishing and just going out on the boat to the local sandbars i run about 35 mph now with the motor i had on it expecting to lose some speed but whats everyone's thoughts and experiences? also what brands suggested

What type of water(s) will you be running?

I have both a S/D and a LT but have come to the realization that a OB is more than appropriate for most situations. Unless you run Louisiana (wet oatmeal) type mud or heavy vegetation, a SD may be the solution for a problem that you really don't have.

 

[HaydenHunter]

What type of water(s) will you be running?

I have both a S/D and a LT but have come to the realization that a OB is more than appropriate for most situations. Unless you run Louisiana (wet oatmeal) type mud or heavy vegetation, a SD may be the solution for a problem that you really don't have.

Good points. And the reason why after 15 years of running short tail mud motors I am back to an outboard (on a jack plate). Are there situations where I miss the mud motor? Yes, but they are few and far between. My challenge generally isn't running mud but is running shallow over the occasional soft-ish bottom laden with either rocks or logs. And sometimes gravel bars. A mud motor will fare better in that stuff. But I am able to go to 90% of the places I used to run in with my mud motor and that's fine for me 'cause I sure like the driving ease, quiet operation and running speed of my 50 HP outboard.

 

[William Reinicke]

I dig the 5000 efi from Mudbuddy. Pushing my havoc 1756 30 mph empty and 26 with a packed to the gills boat with 3 guys and a dog. If I can ever get my hands back on a hammer prop (been on order for months) I really think it will do better than this. Its not a briggs motor, and I like it better than any other briggs I ever ran. Sold a 35 efi to get this one and it was a money move. Not sure how this powerhead is different, but the torque on the low end is WAY better than any briggs powerhead I ran before.

 

[Tuleman]

I have a Prodrive and it's my first surface drive. Bought it in November. Really like it. However I wouldn't hesitate to own ProDrive, Gator Tail or GoDevil.
Mine has the reverse where you manually have to turn the lower unit. It's combersome but did get me out of being stuck high and dry on some lilies in the middle of the night.

This type of SD reverse is not as handy, but is far more effective in getting a boat backwards out of very shallow situations. The prop is working to full efficiency.

To the OP: get the biggest motor you can afford.

 

[Bullet21XD]

Its not a briggs motor,

You sure about that??

 

[William Reinicke]

You sure about that??

HDR 5000 Anniversary - Mud Motor | Mud Buddy

The new standard of mud motors. Features Mud Buddy’s patented drive system and a few extra power enhanced upgrades make this mud motor, without a doubt, the most popular surface drive mud motor on the market today.

www.mudbuddy.com

Listed as an Arkmos Engineering EFI and everytime I go get spark plugs, oil filter and air filter, from the lawn mower shop across town, they sell me kohler parts.

 

[Bullet21XD]

You should scroll down your own link just a little further.

 

[William Reinicke]

You should scroll down your own link just a little further.

Ok I see what you're seeing now. I am really curious then as to why when I take all my info off the motor to the lawn mower shop they are giving me kohler stuff. Going to have to pay closer attention to this next time I do my servicing. I digress my statements earlier about it not being a briggs as I am unsure at this point what powerhead is on mine. Looks like the newest ones are definitely briggs motors.

 

[Bullet21XD]

Yours is a B&S. Plugs, filters, etc. may not be brand specific. Arkmos is/was the company the founder of MB started as R&D and production of performance upgrades...for MB motors.