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Mud motor help
#7604632
09/12/19 12:00 AM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 34
Soda sip
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 34 |
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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7604636
09/12/19 12:03 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477 |
but number one objective is the ability to run skinny water. You don't want center console for that.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7604968
09/12/19 12:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002 |
^^^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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605076
09/12/19 02:12 PM
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Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 34
Soda sip
OP
Light Foot
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OP
Light Foot
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 34 |
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
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605083
09/12/19 02:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391
Pintail711
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391 |
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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: 68A]
#7605087
09/12/19 02:22 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659
Hopedale
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,659 |
^^^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 sounds like you have the good setup.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605093
09/12/19 02:30 PM
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554
ducknbass
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 18,554 |
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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605099
09/12/19 02:36 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477 |
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...
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605139
09/12/19 03:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849
Boudreaux
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849 |
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
Stickin' gills and Stackin' bills
In a world of compromise..... some dont....
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605151
09/12/19 03:31 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605206
09/12/19 04:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,002 |
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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: wal1809]
#7605214
09/12/19 04:45 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477 |
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. 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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Guy]
#7605314
09/12/19 06:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391
Pintail711
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 391 |
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. 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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: ducknbass]
#7605407
09/12/19 08:47 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,086
2flyfish4
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,086 |
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. Dont forget you have to haul a trolling motor around to just in case 😁
Instagram - 2flyfish4
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7605416
09/12/19 08:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,219
jnd59
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,219 |
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!
No matter how high a duck flies a hammer still breaks a window.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: 2flyfish4]
#7605539
09/12/19 11:34 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477 |
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. Dont forget you have to haul a trolling motor around to just in case 😁 Ok you laugh, karma's a bitch.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Guy]
#7605557
09/12/19 11:48 PM
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
gnspeed
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12 |
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.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Guy]
#7605559
09/12/19 11:54 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694
Windrider
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694 |
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. 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.
Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Windrider]
#7605579
09/13/19 12:18 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477
Guy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 35,477 |
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. I run 15-25 fairly frequently in open water in my mud boat. Couldn’t imagine running that far with a tiller. Me neither. When I first started duck hunting, that was about as far as I would drive in my truck to the lake lol.
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Re: Mud motor help
[Re: Soda sip]
#7607067
09/15/19 02:09 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,428
BDB
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,428 |
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. "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.
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