Question on Chicken Boat: LongTail vs Shallow Drive

[BigChaf]

I was under the impression that a shallow drive boat and motor could go anywhere there was enough water to float the boat. If you don't mind me asking what is the advantage of having a long tail vs the shallow drive in the marsh you are hunting, inquiring minds want to know, thanks.

[weedeater]

I was thinking maybe hp rating or just a restriction but I also thought they would both go same places

[bgizzle]

Personally I have rode in both:
Surface drive: IMO if your on step already it can just about go anywhere and most have reverse but if you stop for any reason it's a task to get back on step especially if theres a lot of grass mats.
Long tail: no reverse but being able to pick up motor and chop grass helps and if you get off step you can just pick it up and drop it a few times depending on terrain of coarse and continue on. harder to steer in tight situations as well

I think it depends in your terrain and what you want to do with it

[specktator]

I hear that surface drives don't do well in sand.

[ckinchen]

The freshwater marsh I am hunting at times is pure mud with very little water and very narrow. I needed the long tail to be able to move the boat in those specific conditions. The guy that had the lease before me lost a go devil surface drive and a pro drive out there. A long tail was the only motor that would get him to the blind on a daily basis. It is a very difficult trail, lots of stumps, etc... In the white lake area.

[flounder_smacker]

Surface drives give you more speed,reverse,easier to drive for long runs. Most long tails don't have a reduction so you can't run a big prop limiting your grip in the mud. Only advantage long tails had over surface drives was being long so you can work your way out of a bad situation but now most surface drives can be ordered with 40 inch shafts letting you dig and rock more. Also long tails don't have Any clutch besides mudbuddy

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by BigChaf

I was under the impression that a shallow drive boat and motor could go anywhere there was enough water to float the boat. If you don't mind me asking what is the advantage of having a long tail vs the shallow drive in the marsh you are hunting, inquiring minds want to know, thanks.

SD-Speed
LT-Torque
Having the length on a long tail gives you much more torque to dig a hole in mud. They are a PITA most days but still useful when speed and costs are issues.
SD's are so much easier to run when setup on the proper boat but will still get stuck. Manuverability and speed are primary concerns with these motors but come with a higher price tag.

IMO

[Reefman]

24hp+ longtail = getting to the blind even if the mud runs are just that. Hunt GC; have used tunnel, surface drive and Longtail. The longtail will out-preform all these hands down in low water/mudflat situations. When normal water levels are to be found, the tunnel is the fastest and easiest to use.

[meaux fishing]

yeah pretty much impossible to get stuck with a longtail unless you get high centered on some stumps or something

[kibb]

SD = 4wd high
LT = 4wd low

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by kibb

SD = 4wd high
LT = 4wd low

this

[Shawn Braquet]

Originally Posted by kibb

SD = 4wd high
LT = 4wd low

agreed

[SULPHITE]

agree with the agrees

[weedeater]

Now this is one thread everyone can agree on....... where's "W"?

[meaux fishing]

Originally Posted by SULPHITE

agree with the agrees

I'm in agreement with your agrees also

[Kenner18]

I disagree ....

Somebody had to...lol

[noodle creek]

Ckinchen, how is your water situation? I hope all this rain helped yall out this year. We have more water right next to yall than we have had the past 2 years, and I'm sure yall have plenty, I was just wondering. It ought to be an awesome season if it stays dry in the middle of the country.

[ckinchen]

Originally Posted by noodle creek

Ckinchen, how is your water situation? I hope all this rain helped yall out this year. We have more water right next to yall than we have had the past 2 years, and I'm sure yall have plenty, I was just wondering. It ought to be an awesome season if it stays dry in the middle of the country.

It is looking much better, there was a point in early July that I almost could not make it back to the last blind. I was back there a few weeks ago and it looked great.

[Montauk17]

Originally Posted by ckinchen

The freshwater marsh I am hunting at times is pure mud with very little water and very narrow. I needed the long tail to be able to move the boat in those specific conditions. The guy that had the lease before me lost a go devil surface drive and a pro drive out there. A long tail was the only motor that would get him to the blind on a daily basis. It is a very difficult trail, lots of stumps, etc... In the white lake area.

Damn bro that is prime time area around white lake.....should be loaded up

[ckinchen]

Originally Posted by Montauk17

Damn bro that is prime time area around white lake.....should be loaded up

I hope so man, it looks good.