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Best Surface Drive?
#4989133
02/24/14 02:25 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
OP
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OP
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Wondering about yalls opinion on what the best surface drive motor is?
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4989232
02/24/14 03:01 AM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 74
rcxdm40
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 74 |
Mud motor talk is a good place to research your question.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4989546
02/24/14 01:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
Pro Tracker
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There are a lot of strong opinions about that topic on MMT, most on there are a little bias towards GatorTail, some are on the GT payroll that run most of the talk on that sight. Good place to get information and knowledge about them though. All of them run about the same 35 Briggs Vanguard motors for power, then the rest is all a Ford Vs Chevy debate. A couple have reverse too, they will all get the job done, some are better than others in mud, veggies, and shallow water, just depends. If you use them for what they are made for you will break stuff on all of them, if you baby them, probably not, but that defeats the purpose of having one, "drive it like you stole it" thru shallow water, stumps, standing timber, grass, veggies, laydowns,and anything else in your way.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4989687
02/24/14 02:53 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
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Depends on what you are looking for. I bought go devil for the simple, built like a tank and fix it myself in a weekend type of motor. I am not a fan of others with all the bells and whistles. The more bells you have the more whistles need to be fixed. So it depends, what is it you want?
It has truly become a Ford Vs Chevy debate that is really tiresome. I am not talking about you asking, I am talking about the way this thread could go. Every DA that doesn't even own a mud motor will give their own opinion about heir Uncle T-roe's neighbor's brother has a brand X motor and it is the best because brand Z just sucks. That is the part that is just tiresome.
The whole thing started as the companies were going head to head on sales. We all know the best way to be number one, does not necesarily mean you built the number one product. It means you marketed your product better than the rest. In the mud motor industry, the best way to do that is to create a following of the young people and let them do your marketing for you. They are seemingly so loyal to "Their" brand they will meet you at the Walmart parking lot and fight over it. Now your sales are through the roof as if you pick the wrong motor, you are not in the club. They wear the same clothes, drink the same beer, wear the same hats and sunglasses. Seems to me it is rather high school-ish. You would think they would want to be individuals not followers.
My suggestion to everyone is. Research it! If someone is steadlily banging on one brand for whatever reason, ask yourself why. I like all mud motors. When I was a kid and the ditches were flooded we used to ride plywood boards pulled by a neighbors truck. That was the most fun I have ever had (until I discovered woman). So who really gives a rats arse the brand. Get educated on what each one brings to the table, pick based on your decision alone, not because some baggy khacki short, same T-shirt wearing, same brand beer as everyone else punk tells you is the best. No reason to be trendy, especially when you are dropping a whole lot of cash.
Last edited by wal1809; 02/25/14 12:59 AM.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4989832
02/24/14 04:14 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
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Pretty spot on, Wal. That's why I have made the offer to a few folks on here to drive mine if they want too. I am affiliated with none of them, boats or motors but offer if anyone wants to take mine for a spin, I have owned a couple different brands and have drove some of the others and have my own opinions based on my needs, but everyone is different and has different needs.
Good point you made.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4991138
02/25/14 04:24 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 336
hunt91
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 336 |
Wal is right. It is the Ford/Chevy debate and most of the guys in the debate don't drive either! I have a Mud Buddy 35 and it has been a great motor. No problems whatsoever and it pushes at 1750 Gatortrax at 26 mph empty and 24 with a full load. If I were going to get another motor it would be a Gatortail. I have been around a bunch of them and they are great motors and come with reverse which is nice.
It really comes down to what you plan to use it for. Test drive as many as you can and go from there. They will all give you problems at some point, because after all, they are just souped up lawnmower engines pushing a boat though the mud!
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4991154
02/25/14 04:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 27
BigHenFx4
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 27 |
Does anyone run these on the coast? Been doing more hunting down there recently but mainly just seen airboats and outboards.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4991244
02/25/14 07:20 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,928
FowlDreams
Extreme Tracker
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Foosh you looking for one? Mine is for sale.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4991353
02/25/14 01:07 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,804 |
One point, these motors are not designed to run on a regular aluminum boat with horizontal bracing and runners on the bottom. For these motors and rigs to perform the best make sure the boat is a true slick/flat bottom with longitudal bracing made for the motor for optimal performance.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: mohunter]
#4991597
02/25/14 03:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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One point, these motors are not designed to run on a regular aluminum boat with horizontal bracing and runners on the bottom. For these motors and rigs to perform the best make sure the boat is a true slick/flat bottom with longitudal bracing made for the motor for optimal performance. True statement! It will push a regular boat, all the way to the death of the hull.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4991892
02/25/14 06:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 645
Hogman4127
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 645 |
SE Texas seems to love pro drive.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4992329
02/25/14 10:52 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
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Thanks for the opinions. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Funny yall say it's a Ford vs Chevy thing, as I've dealt with that crap in another life with the racing scene. In fact I've got 2 Fords, a Chevy and a Chrysler in the drive way right now. Another question: How important do yall think having reverse is?
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4992659
02/26/14 01:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 922
TrackQuack
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 922 |
I personally don't think reverse is a big deal, I have a prodrive w/ manual reverse and it only takes two seconds to pull the pin and turn the lower unit. I never use reverse, just get out and point the boat in the other direction.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: wal1809]
#4992845
02/26/14 02:56 AM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,677
BigAL33
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
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Posts: 1,677 |
+1 Depends on what you are looking for. I bought go devil for the simple, built like a tank and fix it myself in a weekend type of motor. I am not a fan of others with all the bells and whistles. The more bells you have the more whistles need to be fixed. So it depends, what is it you want?
It has truly become a Ford Vs Chevy debate that is really tiresome. I am not talking about you asking, I am talking about the way this thread could go. Every DA that doesn't even own a mud motor will give their own opinion about heir Uncle T-roe's neighbor's brother has a brand X motor and it is the best because brand Z just sucks. That is the part that is just tiresome.
The whole thing started as the companies were going head to head on sales. We all know the best way to be number one, does not necesarily mean you built the number one product. It means you marketed your product better than the rest. In the mud motor industry, the best way to do that is to create a following of the young people and let them do your marketing for you. They are seemingly so loyal to "Their" brand they will meet you at the Walmart parking lot and fight over it. Now your sales are through the roof as if you pick the wrong motor, you are not in the club. They wear the same clothes, drink the same beer, wear the same hats and sunglasses. Seems to me it is rather high school-ish. You would think they would want to be individuals not followers.
My suggestion to everyone is. Research it! If someone is steadlily banging on one brand for whatever reason, ask yourself why. I like all mud motors. When I was a kid and the ditches were flooded we used to ride plywood boards pulled by a neighbors truck. That was the most fun I have ever had (until I discovered woman). So who really gives a rats arse the brand. Get educated on what each one brings to the table, pick based on your decision alone, not because some baggy khacki short, same T-shirt wearing, same brand beer as everyone else punk tells you is the best. No reason to be trendy, especially when you are dropping a whole lot of cash.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4993025
02/26/14 04:56 AM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,850
Merican Duck Hunter
Pro Tracker
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"its better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it"
Arise.Kill.Eat -Acts 10:13 I have read a bunch of stuff on the internet about Star Wars but that does not mean I can skin a deer with a light saber.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4993219
02/26/14 01:23 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804 |
Thanks for the opinions. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Funny yall say it's a Ford vs Chevy thing, as I've dealt with that crap in another life with the racing scene. In fact I've got 2 Fords, a Chevy and a Chrysler in the drive way right now. Another question: How important do yall think having reverse is?
Last edited by mohunter; 02/26/14 01:24 PM.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4993223
02/26/14 01:25 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804 |
Thanks for the opinions. I guess it's all a matter of opinion. Funny yall say it's a Ford vs Chevy thing, as I've dealt with that crap in another life with the racing scene. In fact I've got 2 Fords, a Chevy and a Chrysler in the drive way right now. Another question: How important do yall think having reverse is? That question can be best answered by people that actually run one of these rigs. I do not have it and do not think its a big deal, never really needed it, Most of the guys I know do not have reverse and the ones that do never use it much for duck hunting. IF you plan on fishing out of your boat you may like it though, its not hard to push the front of the boat in one direction though. I am all for making the driving experience more comfortable, IE neutral and power trim, which they do but reverse does not really add much to me other than something else to break. Just my opinion
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4994425
02/26/14 09:06 PM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,928
FowlDreams
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,928 |
Reverse has saved my azz twice. I've used it a handful of times. And there's one Lake I hunt that has a dirt ramp with not much of a plane to it. The reverse makes it a hell of lot easier and I don't have to worry about backing my truck completely in the water and getting it stuck like I've been known to do lol
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4995258
02/27/14 04:25 AM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,278
Fooshman
OP
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OP
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Now, who do yall think makes the best hull? Probably more Ford vs Chevy again but I will take opinions.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4995503
02/27/14 01:18 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,804
mohunter
Pro Tracker
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I speak about what I have experience with on hulls but about the same debate though. I do not like Excel boats, a buddy that had one did not like it either. Godevil boats are tanks, not many options though, 17.5" tall sides unless you pick the 54" wide boat, not much room inside because they put so many floatation pods in the back. Gator Trax is one of the best IMO, it always has been, you can build it any way you want with storage where you want, they are built like tanks also, but expensive, they also have rounded chimes and handle better than any other mud hull and will turn on a dime like a Champion bass boat. Most other rigs are going to be square or tapered chimes which will and do slide a lot when turning.
For some reason my boats always like stumps, the Godevil and Gatortrax have hit many, most will just knock down or over but some large stumps will not move, in those cases of direct hits neither boat has took any damage, the Excel and Weldbilt hulls have not done so well.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4995531
02/27/14 01:40 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 777
GravyWheels
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 777 |
Godevil all the way. Boats and motors. I ran mine at the coast several times with no problems. Just rinse with fresh water after use. I also would apply a light coat of WD-40 after use to all bare metal areas.
Dave
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: wal1809]
#4995658
02/27/14 03:02 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,594
Featherduster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,594 |
Depends on what you are looking for. I bought go devil for the simple, built like a tank and fix it myself in a weekend type of motor. I am not a fan of others with all the bells and whistles. The more bells you have the more whistles need to be fixed. Pretty much the way I look at everything.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: Fooshman]
#4997085
02/28/14 01:52 AM
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,928
FowlDreams
Extreme Tracker
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Gator trax are built like a tank.
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Re: Best Surface Drive?
[Re: FowlDreams]
#4997863
02/28/14 03:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,645
garrett
THF Celebrity
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Gator trax are built like a tank. if I cant break a gatortrax this must me true
Attention rickym, this is not a troll post, just a good hearted fun type of post
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