All my threads are open for hijacking.

LOL appreciate ya not getting butthurt. BTW, I have the Garmin wired up so I now have two Lowrance power cords and a couple spare gimbals for ya.

Mike Bingham from Crosby did it as it was his hull, but I believe they used 5200 marine adhesive.

Can't have too many power cords, I can't count how many I bought over the years.

Can't find a whole lot out there on this motor, but looks interesting. Other than the hoses sticking out all over the place.


https://www.freedom-outboard.com/motors.cfm

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ip909z7wRJY

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uSas3EMgPGE

While not revolutionary, it is a better design than the other system I’ve seen with the HE on the bottom of the boat. Still doesn’t remedy the main obstacle in most Tx lakes, stumps. Catch one of those winglets on a stump and I’m sure it’d be expensive. I’d I was strictly a coastal hunter, I’d probably take a harder look at it. Be better to see steel braided lines on that system.

Not sure that motor is worth the money or the hassle, I would tear those hoses off first season no doubt.

Empty 17 feet boat with a 60hp motor running a mud prop hitting 30-31mph and about $5k more than a mudmotor.

I run a stock 40hp mudmotor on a 18 feet boat with a 3/16 bottom and run better speeds than that 60hp for $5k less, not sure why anyone would buy that motor and have to deal with all the extra crap that could break.

I just don’t see any advantage at all.

I'm with ya'll on that one. No way that handles stumps like a horizontal surface drive. It would be nice to be a lot quieter. That's the only benefit I see. I have the quietest muffler you can buy on my GTR 40XD and it is still too loud IMO.

As far as performance, it isn't impressive either. I got a Williams Stage 2 (ported heads/valves, cam, and ECU tune) for better low end. I don't care about going fast, but with me, dog, and hunt load I'm running upper 30s with my hunt prop.

I didn’t even watch the YouTube videos until I read this. Really surprised he was only getting mid 30’s and it kinda sounded like he was too. Nothing gained except it’s quieter but you pay for that with more stuff to break and more time on maintenance. Maybe he gains 2-3 mph with a different prop/jack plate height. More disappointed after watching the videos.

I like the fin on top.

BTW my new rig is ready, I pick up this weekend.

You copycat you...thats Mohunter's camo

Waiting to see speed/hole shot reports when you have them

Well I sold out fellas. Airboat is gone, no more mud boat. This has quickly become my favorite. I found it on Craigslist with no title and made a trade for it. This year I’ll have a quick connect for a cattle panel on each side laced with brush. Lawn chairs! Pull it up to my favorite spot, no because it’s the best but because it has a rock solid bottom. Kill ducks and go to the house!

That's a big boat Wayne, so you sold your other pontoon you tricked out?

That's Cadillac. Those seats sure beat a cooler/bucket.

I got another captain seat really for my wife, hoping she will go out with me now. My other gator trax, passengers sat on the center bench which works great for dudes. But my wife went out once with me on father's day, sitting on that bench, said she will never go out on that boat again lol. She said if I get a nicer boat she would go out with me, so hopefully this will do the trick.

Center console and the extended front deck will be great for fishing.

Yeah I never fished from the deck on my other gator trax. I install an extra pedestal holder for my umbrella.

No sir i still have that one. Remember I am a boat slut!

I get it. Wife gets a camp chair the few times she heads out with me. Would like to see more pics when you get it and the specs.

Heck, That ain't Texas duck huntin'. That's some of that High Falutin Nor Easter duck huntin'...or maybe I'm just jealous.

Nice boat.

I'll be curious to see what your thoughts end up being about the lack of a tiller. I don't know how much you ever used your old one to dig out of a spot, but it sure comes in handy once in a blue moon.

Sure gonna be nice on those long runs and for fishing fo sho.

Nice!

What are the specs of the hull and what hp and brand did you go with?

What kind of performance are you expecting to get?

Motor is Gatortail GTRXD 40. Hull is GT 17x54 (.19) hybrid (Mod V), 20 inch hunt deck, 12 gal tank. My last GatorTrax was a GT 17x44 (.125), no hunt deck and no Mod V. It’s a lot of boat, 18.6 foot long.

Performance I expect it to turn on a dime with the round chines, it’s why I buy a gatortrax. Speed not sure, I don’t expect it to be faster that other boats with same motor, you lose speed with rounded chines but gain on turning.

I hope to get it out on the water this weekend. Im gonna put an ultrex 24v 80lb trolling motor on it next on my list, then I’ll rig my livescope on it want to mega 360 as well.

I’m gonna be selling my Terrova 55lb 54 inch.

Completely agree on the rounded chines. My buddy has one and riding in his compared to my step chine it completely different. He's WOT in super skinny water taking a turn while I have to let off until she grabs. If not, we're sliding and it can get a bit interesting. I'm a bit quicker straight line though. I think you'll like the GTRXD 40. Great looking boat. Hope she runs good for you.