mud boat
 

In the market for a mud boat and was hoping to get a few opinions on the different ones. I like the new mud buddy with the reverse option but havent really heard much about them. Do any of yall have any info about them? also would like to hear how yall feel about prodrive and gator tail as well.

I tried them all and prefer the Prodrive. It operates like a tiller handle outboard. Way easier to handle then the gator tail. Reverse is awesome u will come out. In my opinion

Gatortail
All the craw fisherman that had prodrive are now using gatortail
That should tell you something

Prodrive all the way. Lots of crawfishermen switched because the instant reverse is a lot easier to deal with backing up a lot crawfishing. You can't beat the power of full power reverse. If you hop it up a lil bit it turns into a animal and a more dependable motor as well.

First of all, what type of conditions will you mainly use it? I.e. Marsh, thick veggies, stumps, etc? Do you want tiller or center console? Does speed matter?

Prodrive all the way


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I would mostly use it for wax lake and a couple trips to the basin evry now and then. i defenitly want a tiller handle I relly like mud buddys new gear driven design. and speed isnt a huge factor but id like to go atleast 25-26 mph with a hunting load.

That kind of speed with a load is def attainable with a stock engine and the right prop.


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First off the thing about the wax is that nothing works in the sand other than an airboat..

Problem with the new mud buddy is that they haven't been proven yet. The Sport V models that were released had all sorts of issues with castings cracking and lower units leaking oil. So much that they've discontinued the V model, and they have now sold the Sport H design to Boss Drives out of Sulpher LA. Moral to that story is I would stay away from the Mud Buddy/Boss Drives models for a few years at least.

You definitely want reverse. I've previously owned a Go Devil Surface drive and a Pro Drive, but I currently own a Gator Tail. I've run my rigs in all conditions, and I can tell you I won't go back to a Pro Drive. The GTR has far exceeded my expectations in all aspects of performance.

That's my 2 cents..take it for what it's worth.

Discontinued the MB Sport V? Website still has it listed as part of their lineup.

I've used them all for duck hunting guide service and saltwater guide service. I have two a single and dual and both with mud buddy with no reverse.. You don't have to have reverse no ones reverse is great they are ok but learn to drive then and you don't need it..
As rough as saltwater and cypress swamps are on Mudmotors I have never had mechanical issues with my mid buddies besides minor small switches.. All my motors are the high performance 55's.. I've had two gator tails catch on fire, prodrives that hydraulics went out.. I know people who love both them motors but not for me and what I use them for



both my boats are CC but for the duck lodge boats are all tillers...

I would suggest ask people who hve the different brands to bring you out in them and drive them...


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This is the best advice you can get!

gatortail
 

Might as well get you a gatortail the first time, because you will never be satisfied till you sell whatever you buy then get one. Been proven in the past.

I have a prodrive and love it. I've had a mud buddy hyper sport and it was ok but it didn't have reverse or neutral which made it cumbersome. Have a couple of friends that have hyper drives (with neutral) and they've been good motors. One of them got the mud buddy sport v, and it's been nothing but trouble. Runs great when it runs, buts been one thing after another. Have a couple of other buddies with gator tails and they like them. Don't let anyone talk you out of reverse. I don't care who you are or how much you "learn to drive", reverse is a must. I have the manual reverse on my prodrive with a reverse pin puller installed. I plan on getting another prodrive later down the road and plan on getting the same set up.

I have run a Mud Buddy HD Sport on a gatortrax boat for 6 years. The power trim went out the second year and had it replaced with a Mercury power trim. No more problems with that. One relay went out 2 years ago, replaced that. No other problems. I do not have a reverse but I work around that, although there are times that I wish I had one. The only upgrades to the motor that I have made is the addition of a Mikuni carburetor and stainless dual exhausts. I change the plugs once a year and the oil and oil filter every 15 hours. It works for me, I have friends who use Pro-Drive and love them. I plan to look at the Boss Drives in the next few years. You have received some good advice from people who own them all. Good luck with your decision.

Where u located I'd be willing to let u come drive my stage 2 PRO-DRIVE to get a feel of one of one of ur options.

if you are serious about hunting the wax, and don't have a camp/houseboat, you are way better off with a 90 or 115 tiller handle outboard and a good jackplate.
that 20 mile run in the dark gets old running 20mph.

if u have the balls to run it, a well setup outboard will run real skinny water.

i have hunted the wax since the 3 duck years, i started off in a 14' joboat with a 40.
even though i have a 20' skiff with a prodrive, i still ended up using my 20' hanko style alum boat with the 200 merc and a good pirouge to hunt the wax. the windshield does wonders. lol

btw, opinions are just that, demo rides are free.

good luck with whatever u get.

jopete is giving good advice. With the way people are running mudmotors all over public land the only way to get away from the crowds is with a pirouge now. I have several blinds set up in pot holes that are only accessable by pirouge and that is where I will be while all the other guy's are running around pushing ducks to me.

Thanks for all the opinions guys i really appreciate all the aaadvice yall have gave me. ill continue to do a little research on them and let yall know what my decision is.

Mud Motor
 

Noticed you location is New Iberrie', why would you choose a motor out of Utah when you have two of the best in your backyard? Just wondering.

Attachment 76110
Get you one like this. You won't regret it!


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how is hunting out of the center console? it sem like it be hard to move around that with a dog and all the gear in it.

I personally rather a tiller handle and a open floor plan. I find a tiller is easier when u need to move the motor back and forth when u are in some thick slop

It's not bad, put dropped rod boxes to double as seats. Plenty of room and convenience for me.


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Tell us more what model boat and engine do you have? What kind of speeds are you seeing?

Boat is 1860 built by gatortail, motor is a 35 GTR with stage 1 (about 20 hp extra) it's a heavy boat, loaded gear and 3 adults, I run 27. Haven't run it empty, probably 30 though. About to get my prop worked, think I can get 2mph with load after that.


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20hp out of stage 1?

This what they claimed...


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I have a full stage 2 on my Pro-Drive and I just might be knocking on the door of 20-25 more HP. What all did they put into your stage one being that everyone has there one little mixture the they like to use.

Heads, cam, rods, timing, exhaust. I think that's it.


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Got ya. That's good speeds for a big boat. I'm getting 33 with a light load on a 17X54 and around 30 with a hunting load.

And a carb? That makes more sense. Probably a stage 3 upgrade.

Carb is stock, I know that.


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A mikuni would make that a stage 3 u are 100 % correct.

That's what I was thinking!!


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All that work to your motor and you did not put on a mikuni? Get a Mikuni and you would be surprised how good it would run. Also better throttle response.

^^^^^
What he said it was in denial about adding the mikuni to may stage 1. It was like night and day with the way it runs and the throttle response.

Well, that's next for sure!


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You won't regret it at all.

If you put a Mikuni carb, do you need to go with an aftermarket exhaust to get its full potential? That's some serious coin on an already expensive motor..... It sucks being poor! Lol. It's a general question for anyone with the knowledge.

You can always gut ur stock exhaust or u can go full after market. I switched from the marsh mellow double barrel to the new MAC exhaust. The stocker will eventually crack but some of the aftermarket ones will too.

Mud m
 

Bring this back to mmt.

Hey now people are asking trying to give some insight o. The subject.

Keep up the response. Very educational.

Just trying to spread the knowledge I've picked up over the past 5 years of owning a mud motor

Quack,thats some good speed for your hull. I have the same set up with stage 2. and most of the time, Im running 28. Have 3 batteries, gunbox and usually my son with me. 3 seats etc. Guess thats not too light.lol

Yea the light load is myself gas, teo batteries, my dog and a 65 qt yeti. Who and where did you mods?

Calen in Franklin did mine

That's who did my stage one myself. I got my carb from a new shop.

Dont remember what carb I have to tell you the truth. I know it has some major torque though.