I am going to buy a new duck rig with a mud motor. Looking for insight on which boat and motor combo you guys endorse. I’m thinking 1860 or 2060 center console but am open to suggestions.

I hunt all over but number one objective is the ability to run skinny water. I do not hunt out of the boat. Usually have a full load of 3 guys and lots of gear.

Any info appreciated.

You don't want center console for that.

^^^what he said.

What’s your definition of skinny? 3 guys and gear can be done without CC, won’t be running 35. Also, 60 is pretty wide might want to take that into consideration if running timber and creeks. I settled on 1851, I can run 3 guys, rod box, loaded yeti, all fishing equipment, trolling motor, anchor and extra battery at 25-27 with gtr 40. That’s with a 3 blade, may hit 28 with the big blade.

68A, the reasoning behind the 60” is because I’ve read and been told the wider the more dispersement and therefore less draft especially with a full load. Is that not accurate?

I very rarely run flooded timber.

How do like your gtr? Both boat and motor Gatortail? Anything you would’ve done different? Thoughts on other makes?

Thanks for the feedback

I’ve always been a mud buddy and gator trax guy. Get the boat that fits how you hunt. We hunt out of the boat a lot so I bought a 4 man gator hide about 8 years ago. It’s a tank but it’s a good boat. Ive got the 45 Mag with heads, carbs, cam etc.. I can run 29-30 all day long and 23-24 loaded down.

68A sounds like you have the good setup.

The mud buddy clan on here claims you have to be a small engine mechanic and keep tools in your boat to run a mud buddy. So take that for what it's worth.

Guy that used to hang out here, Rob Robertson he ran the CC prodive and liked it. Think he still stops in under the name yentzen.

The only benefit you get with CC is that it is more relaxing to drive, especially on long hauls or scouting. What you give up is control, getting unstuck, faster turns, going over logs...

I'm running a 1954 F4 with a Gatortail 40XD tiller. Boat has a lot of extras added on such as .125 hull, front and rear rails, full floor, welded in rod locker/gun box, live will, 80# thrust trolling motor, 3 batteries and a 13 gal built in fuel tank. Its a heavy boat, it will float in 4-5" of water and run in less. Light load runs high 20's, full load of 4 guys and gear low 20's. Mud boats are not built for speed.Center console steering is nice for those long runs and multi purpose uses such as fishing in the off season, but they have their drawbacks, turning ability is not as tight, extra weight of the console and steering set up, and I feel the tiller steers are a little easier to get out of the really nasty stuff. Weight distribution is key for optimum performance. You're welcome to come take a ride in mine to see if you like it. As a guide I run my boat across open lakes, backwaters, coast marshes, and the bays, regularly. I went with the hull I went with for several reasons. It handles rough water well, runs shallow and is stable. Is it "the best" ? Of course not. There are things i wish were different, Does it fit my needs? Yes. Run what works for you.


Things you need to know about mud motors. Everyone will tell you their opinion of what mud motor they like, just like ford/chevy/dodge debate. Same with hulls. Only put a mud motor on a mud hull for optimum performance. They require a bit of maintenance. They will all break at some point, you will go through props regularly. Pick the rig that will serve your needs best, and what you like to drive. Each has something over the other. Pro-drive has the ability to have full power reverse, Mudbuddy is getting better in the game, Go-devil is still making good stuff. I'm a Gator-tail man myself. Easy to operate, easy power trim controls, flip a switch for F-N-R, pretty much runs like a regular tiller outboard except for the amount of torque it has.

Whichever hull you end up getting, go for the .125 hull thickness. If you want to talk to folks that have lot of knowledge of mud motors, but also listen to everyone with their opinion, www.mudmotortalk.com

I am no longer a MM fan. I had longtails, surface drives yadda yadda... I was always searching for performance because I hadn't admitted, none of them perform very well at all. You can take a 35 HP and bump it up with mods but that severely decreases the life of the motor. I stepped up to an airboat and never looked back. For my 25 mile coastal runs, I couldn't be happier. If I was restricted to one boat, a Boatright 24 footer with a yammer hammer would be my choice. The boat is tough as nails, stable, plenty of power. You can take it to the bay, lake or river. If the course I chose was skinnier than what that boat will do, I would choose another route.

I had my boat built exactly the way I wanted, so nothing I would change. The boat can be loaded for fishing but when duck season rolls around it can be stripped of non essential items (rod box, trolling motor, battery, etc) to save weight and space. I can have it all stripped or put back in 15 min. I still have a gun box and large storage box in the front deck. Driver pod is insulated with drain plug and doubles as cooler. Have a washdown pump, led lighting in boat and all compartments. Dual bank battery charger mounted underneath front deck. I tried to keep it useful for both fishing and hunting. Overall it’s been solid. I looked at buying a factory rig but at the end of the day they weren’t setup how I wanted them to be.

25 miles, no way I do that in a mud boat. 5 miles is about max for me, I like to kill birds right next to the ramp.

You’d have to carry 10 more gallons of gas.

Dont forget you have to haul a trolling motor around to just in case 😁

If I had a airboat, I'd have way too much fun running through everyone's spread and laughing maniacally. That's why I don't own one, well, I can't afford it either, but to whom much power is afforded, much responsibility accrues.
Still, it looks fun to drive an airboat around.

My duck boat averages 2.3 miles per hour, never runs out of gas and can travel in 3 inches of water. Granted, I have to leave three hours before the rest of you, but you can't engine scout me either!

Ok you laugh, karma's a bitch.

No matter brand they are all briggs powered,I currently have 2 Uncle J hulls and sold gator trax last year.If you are near Houston send me a pm and ill take you out because they aren't for everybody and yes you do need to maintain them.

I run 15-25 fairly frequently in open water in my mud boat. Couldn’t imagine running that far with a tiller, but I’m getting along in years.

Center console prod drive self bailing.

Me neither. When I first started duck hunting, that was about as far as I would drive in my truck to the lake lol.

"3 guys and lots of gear". You found your answer . 20 footer all day and everyday. I'm loving mine and its usually just me and sometimes 1 other but every now and then 3 guys. The room is great and remember this tip.....a few years from now motors are going to be super baddass and the bigger boat will be ready to accept them.