I’m toying with going from a 2048 prodrive hull with a remote steer gen 1 prodrive 27hp (generac engine) [no reverse] to a Xpress Bayou 1754 with a gator tail 35hp tiller. Both boats have 24” sides.

I call my prodrive hull the “Cadillac” because its so long. It carries a load ok and I know I will never get speeds with the prodrive; but I’m considering my options. My plan with the prodrive was to eventually upgrade to the 40hp prodrive.

I primarily run some open water to get to the backwaters. Mostly running weeds and mixture of willows. SOMETIMES (like once in a blue moon) I will run in timber.

I like the idea of reverse (even if its not full power). Also, the Gator tail and Xpress are a newer boat. Also, I can get into it without going into debt.

Opinions, advice, comments, concerns, or anything would be helpful.





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I’d just repower what you have personally. Spend a few bucks and give your current boat a facelift. A repaint, new turf, and new wiring will make it feel new. Especially if you just put a new motor on.


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You'll rarely hear anyone on this site that's had a 2048 that will recommend downsizing to a 1754, but you all the time hear the opposite from people that have or wish they had. I have a 1748, and it's perfect for my needs, but if I used the words "open water" to describe anywhere i used it, the 2048 would be a strong consideration. The 2054 we sometimes hunt out of does nearly everything mine does except for making it into some tight spaces.

Save for the 40 powerhead replacement unless your prodrive is really old or making some funny noises in the drive unit.

#CFFITR
#GhostBoat
#Whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor

Yeah. I have thought of re-powering since I originally bought it since the original motor had really low hours on it.


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Repower and fix up your current boat bro. I agree with Cody on this completely bro

Simple answer.................................................... NO !!! Don't get caught up in the coolaid. In all seriousness, keep the reverse.

The money you’d spend on the new rig, you can get a whole new Prodrive with reverse.

Think you don’t need FPR? Read this. viewtopic.php?f=3&t=74739

You will also regret going to a smaller boat too.

What my initial plan was to buy the GTR outright and keep my other boat. I think I could get a good deal on the GTR (its used with low hours). Run them both and see which one I liked more and sold the other. Only problem is, my prodrive is remote steer and I can’t just swap the motors if I wanted to. Unless anyone knows if there is a prodrive tiller steer adapter kit.

Maybe I’m drinking the cool aid a little too much. It is a nice looking boat. Also, I think the GTR has EFI which I’m always starting my prodrive in the driveway before heading out so I’m not suck at the ramp cold starting it. I know there are pros and cons to the EFI. Also, I do wish I had reverse. I’ve been so long without it (only have run outboards with reverse).

But as someone else said on here, I can drop the money I was going to spend on that other rig and buy a brand new 40. It was mentioned somewhere else on the form that KP (and I have also heard) they were going to come out with a model that has both instant reverse and full power reverse. Maybe ill just wait for that.




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Express sucks. Sucks really really bad. If you go GTR, go with a better hull.

if your options are an excel hull or what you have, stay with what you have. It would probably be considerable less money for you to just buy a 40hp PD and put it on back what you already have. If you are going to spend the money on a new rig, get a GTR or PD and match it with a hull from them.

if you get rid of that 2048 pd hull, you will regret selling it. great boat.

Yeah I wasnt going to sell or trade the 2048. I was thinking I could talk the guy down.

Backstory is: a tractor dealer I do business with took it in on a trade. So I thought I could get a pretty darn good deal especially since its been sitting for awhile now. Last time I was there the number given was pretty low; but not low enough for me to consider.

I saw that it was still there so I stopped by today. Talked with the guy and he wasn’t gonna budge. He said he couldn’t go below what he took in on trade in value and I told him he took it in too high. He then gave me the same old story about how he could go down to Louisiana and sell it quickly. (Which I don’t doubt) Same story a few months ago though. So he asks “you gonna trade in your boat” to which I reply “hell no”.

The kid in the back told me that he’s itching to get rid of some inventory because he’s gonna have to store it soon. I’m like yeah, he got the boat on a trade during the summer, no one bought it before duck season, now its the split and no one has bought it. If I had to guess, I’m the only one that has even asked about it.

So, no deal. I’m happy with my 2048; but I love boats and as one wise person once said “a duck hunter can never had too many boats!”


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Where you from?


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Ah, makes sense. You hear people up here in MN talk about selling their boat in LA.

It’s laughable. Gonna spend half the price of the rig to get it down there.


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I would think its worth less down there. Market is flooded with mudboats and mudmotors.

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It would just sell faster.

That and people up here have zero idea what they are looking at.

Its all used junk to somebody else.


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I made the switch about 8 years ago. On this hard bottom, it was the best move. I have run all of the major brands... still have the gatortail.

So what did you end up doing?

Ended up getting a GTR 40.

Took the side console out of my boat. Prodrive currently is for sale.

All I have to say about the GTR is WOW!!


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Get at me when you are ready to get that prop worked