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 Need education on surface drives 
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Post Need education on surface drives
I been looking and reading on here for awhile and need to ask some questions...I been running a Outboard tiller steer for 20 years and dont run in a lot of mud like u fellers but I run in trashy muddy water a lot .I started fishing at reelfoot a few times a few and that lake is hard on a lower unit to say the least...I have looked at copperhead and River run outboard.like I said I ain't looking to run in mud just rough trashy water with stumps and submerged trees.i have a 1542 flat bottom with a 15 Yamaha on it now not looking to change hulls right now just maybe a small surface drive to get around..and the last thing I have never run a mud motor long tail or surface drive but how much would it miss reverse like at the boat ramp or running lines ..I just fish not duck hunt ...thank u for any opinions

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Mon Jul 10, 2017 6:04 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
23hp copperheads are pretty light. Most of the motors that offer reverse would probably be too much for that boat. Keep in mind that a 23hp mudmotor will probably be slower than your 15hp outboard. I've never had reverse so I can't say anything about how much youll miss it. These things can fall on their face if the boat gets overloaded with a duck hunting load. They have way more vibration than an outboard, and are much louder than those quiet 4stroke outboards.


Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:22 am
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
The 15 I run now is a 2 stroke so not as quite as the 4 strokes..I figured weight would be a problem with the bigger mud motors..thank u for the reply

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 8:27 am
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
You're definitely going to want to look at the lighter options for that small hull. Only you can determine how much you'll miss reverse. Honestly, I haven't had reverse on my own personal boats ever. I've learned operating without it. Your mileage there may vary. When we say "louder" we're talking about lawnmower loud. Not 2s vs 4s outboard loud. Just prepare yourself for that. I wear ear protection a lot of the time I'm on the water because of it.

But, all that being said. A 23hp Copperhead would make for a nice small combo and you could access a ton of terrain you currently can't. My biggest suggestion to you would be to find someone in your area, or maybe a dealer, who has something similar to what you're looking for and get out on the water in it. You'll answer most of your own questions there. Good luck with it.

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 5:52 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
23 copperhead on that boat would be badass. It would be fast and run good with empty/full load.
I will eventually get me a small rig to play with, and it will be a 15x40 or so with a copperhead

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 6:32 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
I have heard them run on reelfoot yea they r loud ...speed I ain't worried about to much just getting me where I want to fish and not have to idle and bet up the lower unit

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:14 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
Copperheads the way to go no doubt

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:15 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
Push pole and you won't miss reverse after a while

1244 Atchafalaya Outdoor Designs W/ 12hp Copperhead

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:47 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 7:52 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
I wouldn't put a lot of money in a mud motor. If you can find something used that is in good shape, maybe.
I think I would kick around maybe flotation pods on your present boat or maybe a prop guard of some type.
You will miss reverse.

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Tue Jul 11, 2017 10:04 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives

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Wed Jul 12, 2017 9:11 am
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
I don't think this is called slow!! :lol: :lol:
138 lbs. dry weight

627 cc displacement

Approx speeds of 27 mph on a 220 lb. 15/40 Alumacraft with 2 people

Just got my 23 hp and i have it on a 1440 Xpress with me iam looking at 28 mph with my son and all your fishing stuff about 24mph on full plain we are running in 2" of water on the colorado river here in La Grange were the water is very low .Ijust made the river longer for me to fish.I love my Copperhead mud motor and thank you VENOM OUTDOOR.COM Thank you Kevin

James W Cooper on Jan 2nd, 2014


Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:07 am
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives
Them speeds r better than I get with the 15 2 stroke on a 1542.... before I do buy one I will test one or catch a ride in one to see how I like it .. not having reverse at the dock is the only place I think it would suck..thank y'all for the reply


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Wed Jul 12, 2017 12:53 pm
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Post Re: Need education on surface drives


Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:55 pm
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