|
 Florida Waterfowler Forums
 FW Message Boards
 Mud Motor vs. Outboard
|
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: Mud Motor vs. Outboard |
|
bwilliams Member Posts: 11 |
posted 02-05-2011 10:13 AM
  
I have a 17ft tracker grizzly jon boat with a 60hp Mercury on it. I have been considering selling my outboard and replacing it with a 35hp Gator Tail mud motor because I am tired of worrying about over heating my motor whenever I get into thick grass or shallow water. I mainly hunt the chain of lakes in central and south FL, but I also do a good bit of fishing in the spring and fall. I am hesitant however to step down to the 35hp mud motor because 1)I'm worried about how much speed I will loose and 2)They appear to be very loud from the ones I've seen. I have zero experience when it comes to mud motors as I've never even been on a boat with one. Does anyone have any experience with the 35hp short tail mud motor? What kind of speed do you think I can expect with a 17ft boat, 2 guys, and gear? Any pros, cons, or other comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! IP: Logged |
|
BonifayFLAboy Member Posts: 2 |
posted 02-05-2011 11:37 AM
You will not like a mud motor for fishing or Recreational use. I have both and would never use my mud motor if i was fishing or anything else. Cons: you gotta stand up to run em, they are loud, they are slow, no reverse. I know you can get some with reverse and some you can run sitting down but you are talking some money then. I a have a friend with a 17ft gator trax with a 35hp mud buddy. With gear and 2 guys top speed about 20 mph. Great boat just not a rec boat. Hope it helps. P.S. I love my mud motor and wouldn't trade it for anything but there is a time and place for it. IP: Logged |
|
Joshuatrimm Member Posts: 77 |
posted 02-05-2011 03:56 PM
Flaboy is right. I do have 35 hp with 17 ft gator trax also. About 20-23 mph is top speed with all gear and 2 men. I am planning to add 6-8 hp with muffler and carp kit. That should add few mph. IP: Logged |
|
Belly up dux Member Posts: 369 |
posted 02-06-2011 06:53 AM
This is the first year I got to ride in a surface drive. It was awesome. Seemed plenty fast and I think you will gain by not having to run all the way down in the grass. Yes, they are loud. IP: Logged |
|
QwackHead Member Posts: 331 |
posted 02-06-2011 09:48 AM
quote: They probably aren't as loud as this one though..... IP: Logged |
|
Joshuatrimm Member Posts: 77 |
posted 02-06-2011 10:51 AM
what is that going on? IP: Logged |
|
Allnighter Member Posts: 40 |
posted 02-06-2011 11:23 AM
The speed that you will loose will be regained when your not spending your time trimming your motor that fighting grass. A great place to ask around is http://www.mudmotortalk.com/ those guys can tell you anything and everything about any of the mud motors. P.S. If you are worried about speed then go with a surface drive. IP: Logged |
|
duckmanjr Member Posts: 145 |
posted 02-07-2011 04:26 AM
I've ridden in two boats that are set up as remote steering(like your 60 Merc)... They are very nice... As far as speed..the one fellow has hopped his up with a different exhaust and a Mikuni carb plus roller rockers by a go cart shop called Gecker...He gets 30 MPH while the guy with the stock motor gets 24 MPH... I'll take the counter point here....If you blow the powerhead on that 60 merc....it is going to be so expensive unless the motor is a very late model...it will be trashed and not worth the rebuild price.... Go over to UW-F's site and ask Silver pigeon for a ride in his rig...Newton is a great guy and i'm sure would accomodate you. [This message has been edited by duckmanjr (edited 02-07-2011).] IP: Logged |
|
bwilliams Member Posts: 11 |
posted 02-16-2011 05:44 PM
Thanks guys, sorry it took me so long to reply I really do appreciate all the good info. I think I am leaning towards just keeping my current motor, but I'm still on the fence. I'll have to get up with someone like Duckman said and check out theirs before I make my final decision. I really would like to be able to hunt Lake O. in my boat. Last time I was there in a friends boat, it was so shallow and the grass was so thick, I wouldn't even chance it in mine. Anyway, I'll check out those sites and see if I can find someone who would be accomodating enough to take me for a ride. Thanks again! IP: Logged |
|
Barnett Member Posts: 36 |
posted 02-17-2011 05:50 AM
BWilliams I went from an outboard to a Surface drive on my small boat. Love it. I have a small 2 man surface drive rig. If you want to get together for a ride Im in Leesburg and I ride alot on Panasofkee and the Withlacoochee river. Just send me an email or call me at 516-3058 (352) Russ IP: Logged |
|
RON SMITH Member Posts: 13 |
posted 02-18-2011 12:57 PM
I was given a brand new 17MV Tracker grizzly hull with a GD 35hp surface drive to use for the whole season and I loved it. I never once took out my airboat or my 15MV Jon with a 24hp Mudbuddy the whole season (and I love them both). I hunted open water, sheltered water, rough water, shallow water and extremely shallow water. I went bass fishing in it….and did I mention…I loved it. It got up on plane in very shallow water. One day I took a party of 4 hunting…still did 21 MPH. With 2 hunters it was 26 MPH Very sad to see it head back to the warehouse till next season. My 25 HP Mariner that I used to put on my duckboat after season has been gathering dust for the last 2 years. There are those times when I go bass fishing that I want to go where an outboard struggles. Quite often actually…so I am going to sell the OB and never look back. I have at my disposal (and in my yard) my son’s 17 Carolina with a 90 e-tec so it makes the OB decision a little easier. IP: Logged |
All times are ET (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | Florida Waterfowler | Privacy Statement
All contents (c) James Miller 2000-2008. Individual articles are copyright by their respective authors.FloridaWaterfowler.com or its publisher do not assume liability for postings made by users.
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.46