surface drive vs. outboard

[BucksandDucks]

Got a boat in mind but don't know which motor to go with. I'll be hunting flooded timber and some on the river. I know the outboard will be ok in the woods but was wondering if the surface drive could handle the river. Also what's the maint. on a mud motor.

[Jeff]

Yes to surface drive in woods. NO to surface drive in the river unless you do a dual surface drive rig, then maybe.

[swamprooter]

If you go outboard....get a jack plate if your motor is larger than 25hp and up....new motors have electric trim and tilt that do not take too well to hitting a sunken cottonwood tree while your tipping along. Largest Mudmotor 36hp ( without mods) will push a loaded 18' boat with 3 hunters and gear about 10-12mph up a 2-3 knot river current. I will use my mudmotor to cross the MS back and forth from my hunting club to opposite bank willows. If i was to say put in a public landing and go 10-20 miles or down river to hunt some flooded bars and stuff, definitely a 40ph outboard and above for my boat (1854). Really only advantage to a MM in the river is crossing over logs and such easily vs outboard. Jack plate will help outboard do this also with a little more effort. MM motor is basically a lawnmotor! Briggs and Straton,etc...change you oil and keep it greased.....low low maintainence.

[swamprooter]

I forgot to mention most important part............You will have to match the MM to a mud boat ( flat bottom ) hull....If not your mudmotor may lose 30% of its performance on the wrong hull..I got that merit badge!

[hntrpat1]

I ride mudmotors on the river all the time. Don't have to much of a load and you'll will be fine. Remember nothing is going to go as fast as a outboard so if you don't plan on riding in mud, just hit them woods slow in a outboard. I much ride with my boat with a 30 than a mud boat with a 35shortshaft. Long rides don't = mudmotors but it is possible.

[Buckwabit]

I've got a 60 Hp Offshore Mercury that I run on my 1650 Allumicraft and I've never had problems in deep of the shallow water. You just have to take it slow in some places to make sure you leave with your prop still attatched

[54]

The biggest mud motor is a 45hp and any hull works with them. That thing about a certain hull horse *!#!

[H20fowlkiller]

The biggest mud motor is a 45hp and any hull works with them. That thing about a certain hull horse *!#!

the biggest block right now is the prodrive 36 but most of the 35's and 36's can hit 50+ with the right mods and workins, but honestly if you nees something that big and powerful you might as well go with the dual rig you would spend the same amt on all the mods any way so why not get there stock and have a little more boat for room

[hntrpat1]

The biggest mud motor is a 45hp and any hull works with them. That thing about a certain hull horse *!#!

NOPE sorry

[blgros1]

+2

The biggest mud motor is a 45hp and any hull works with them. That thing about a certain hull horse *!#!

NOPE sorry

[swamprooter]

54....go post that on Mudmotor site.......they will hand you your booty.

[GordonGekko]

54....go post that on Mudmotor site.......they will hand you your booty.

really.... and H20fowlkiller...where I hunt (woods) a modded engine would be the only option...a dual rig with 500+ pounds of motor on the back wouldn't work at all.....then again my 31HP longtail has been doin' just fine.....

[swamprooter]

I've swapped some hulls with my PD36 during past 3 years......it's all about getting on the "step" with the load you got. You can change lenght, width, rake, transom angle and bottom design. With me changing from a Mod V hull to a flat bottom gave 30% more load carrying performance.

[GordonGekko]

I'm not sure if my comment reads the way i intended it to read...I agree 100% the hull makes a huge difference (why I'm running a GD hull and motor)....and if you doubt that, just wander on over to mud motor talk and ask what they think....those boys know these boats and motors....

[Canuck]

Gordan Gekko, that 31 long tail working out for you alright