New mud motor boat owner needs advice

So, in the morning I am picking up my first mud boat. I've done quite a bit of research and ready to start getting used to it over the split. Very excited. It's a 35 GTR on a Gator Tail hull.

I am looking for any advice from other owners for a first time owner. I'm gonna post up at MMT, but wanted to hear from some of you guys. Mainly using it on some lakes nearrby, but being in Houston, I plan to take it to the coast. Any rookie mistakes you can help me from making?

Don't forget the plugs.

Ready your boat before you get to the ramp.

Distribute your load evenly around the boat.

Make sure you have plug in, all your life vests and other items you have to have to be legal, plenty of gas! I want that boat!!!

over on mmt there is a emergency list with guys and thier phone # in case u get hung up i am over there meterman3 i am in east texas if ya need help call me

Its alot easier to run up on a sandbar than it is to push off of it.

Lol, ain't that the truth.

Remember salt water rusts things.

Thanks for the advice! I am not new to boating, just a mud motor.

@roberstson, that is exactly what I am worried about until I get used to the boat and its abilities.

@Featherduster, the rusting from salt water has been the one thing that makes me re-think taking it down there. I have a buddy with an airboat we take down around Matagorda. Do you have a mudboat?

@madmac, thanks for the info and offer! I plan to use it on a few lakes around East Texas starting way down here all the way up to the Dallas area.

I can't wait until next weekend to get it out and play with it on the trinity. I'd do it this weekend, but headed down for a duck hunt.

Just wash it off good right after you get it outa tha saltwater and it will be fine

Shoot a PM to Dog Walker. He is a huge fan of Gator Tail, and probably has more hours on his mud motor then the owner of the company.

He hunts, wait for it, in Hopedale LA, where I used to fish before I moved to Texas.

Hey, congrats on the new rig.

What size boat are you putting the 35 on?

sand will wear a prop in no time just fyi.


Everyone else hit the main points.

It's fun to have one, and know that you can get to just about anywhere you want to, and where 95% of others can't... like this spot.

plugs, life vests, push pole, spot light, GPS, etc... don't put too much weight in the boat AND,,, remember that Mud Motors aren't invinsible, you still CAN get stuck and there are logs/stums that WILL flip you over.
Take it easy for the first half dozen or so trips until you get the hang of it and know what your true capabalities are. better safe and alive than sorry and dead

Good luck and post a pic.

the bigger layed over trees are the fun ones to jump...not the sharp stumps

Bring tools with you.. I thought buying a new motor meant it wouldn't break down....I was wrong.

I'm headed to El Camping for a private hunt this weekend. When I get back I'll post pics. Can't seem to get the facebook pics to post from my phone.

Nm

Here are some pics...

Looks good. Only thing missing is some Blood on it.

Hydroturf is the best investment you could ever make for that boat.

Cool rig man

X2. If you didn't have it installed you should put it in. Very easy to install. I put it in my 18ft PD myself for well under $200.

I can't see the pics. Somebody copy them to photobucket and then post them up so i can see some boat porn, please!

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely look into it.

I plan on taking it out to two different areas this weekend to do some initial scouting. Plan to break it in and hopefully get some blood on it on the split opener.

I can't wait to have one of those pictures with the ducks all laid out on the front with the heads over the side.

How about these:

Ahhh we now have boat porn. Thank you Sir. Nice rig!!

I hope you don't mind I rotated the pic for you

Thanks!

Nice rig! I have that same ladder. I don't like that it's bulky, but it does work pretty well. Although I probably won't use mine this year due to the low water.