I’m looking to make the jump into a “Tricked-out” or “Custom”, if you will, complete hunt boat. Years ago I started out with a 20 hp longtail on a 15 ft. jon boat and that satisfied my needs for a while. Then I upgraded to a Go-Devil 18x60 w/ 35 hp longtail, but that only lasted a couple years and I was introduced to the speed and maneuverability of the surface drive. My current set up that I’ve been running is the same 18x60 hull, but with the 35 hp GDSD and it runs good – high teens loaded down, mid twenties myself (230lbs.) and a cooler out scouting.
My playground is the Gulf coast of Florida where we have a diverse area of mud, rock, shell, hard sand, grass/weeds, stumps, both open water and tidal creeks ranging from deep water to a few inches and most always, runs are in the 5 to 10 mile range with plenty of SALTWATER! With the longtail I had the ability to run the thick tall grass and flooded areas with easy, but lacked the skinny water running, speed and maneuverability. With the surface drive, I was able to run the skinny water, tight quarters and had the speed I desired, not to mention it is a little better to handle.
My thoughts on a hull haven’t been totally set yet. . .kind of thinking a 17x50 with a well constructed 3/16” bottom and long rake not sure about the layout, but I have several ideas I need to hash-out. For a motor though, I’m kind of leaning to the Backwater Swomp 35 LS. For the last couple of seasons I’ve read many good/positive reviews on this motor setup and how it has the speed and ease of the surface drive but the 4x4 ability of the longtail. Something else that has crossed my mind is; Backwater sells their chasis for the Swomp, what about putting a 45 MAG on the Swomp chasis. . .has this been tried yet? ? ? I would be concerned on how hard it would be to handle though being a longtail setup, could be a bear?
I know this post sounds like I want to have my “cake and eat it too”, (and I do) typical testosterone B.S., but maybe I could achieve the speed, maneuverability and go-anywhere performance with this motor setup? ! ? ! Thoughts and opinions, PLEASE. Thanks.

I've heard of a carb and exhaust on one, but before buying a mag. Just get a stock 35 bw and mod it yourself. I am not sure how it will handle, but would have more power to tote a load. Prodigy makes some jam up boats, there's a couple running around Florida.

If you want to see a Prodigy I am in west central Florida and have an 1854 with a 35GTR. You are welcome to come check it out

I promise you'll kick your own azz for getting any smaller boat than that 18x60, UNLESS your specifically trying to get into tight quarters. Then you'll just kick yourself every time you're stuck on a flat! I run one with too much crap and it's unreal the difference in the way it floats/planes/runs compared even to an empty 17x54... Btw ya should check out a CC rig, they'll spoil ya!

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1860 right dere!!!

Lol

Sweet lookin' Xmas present Right der! Sumtin' wrong wit the ver back of it doh...

Short transom and a SWOMP SS would be the way I'd go. Easier to handle if you're wanting to add more hp. 40+hp digging at an angle 6ft behind you is plenty to pitch you out of the boat of you're not hanging onto it. I'd consider the short shaft model. Just my opinion...

A modded 35 on a fairly light boat should run mid 20's and tote plenty of shit doing it without a problem.

man I run 18x60 and nothing but timber and stumps with a .125 hull and a 35sd and I wouldn't have a LT for crap! I sold mine and never looked back!!!! whatever you decide gator glide that beast!!!! frog can definitely help you on that!!!

FYI i also hunt the gulf and run the marsh 10 to 15 mile runs and no doubt you will get there on step and pass up all them LT on the banks trying to get to them holes!!

prodigy I might be calling you for that RIG!!! wow i see my next boat 4 sure!!!

Split the difference and go 1854 or 1850. Perfect all around size.

Unless you are looking for a reason to buy a new rig you already have a good base rig. My GDSD rig runs high twenties loaded. Its a lightly modified motor that made the difference.

Well, I had a harsh reminder this morning on why I sold my last longtail. . .how soon we forget! Out bang'n ringers this morning on Lake Rousseau, running a friend's GDLT rig and almost sunk the boat! ! ! Idling around while the crew put out deeks and I found a stump while turning. . .it pulled the handle out of my hand and pined it hard against the transom and then we started taking on water over the port corner. I turned it off and kicked on the bilge pump, all was good except I was soaked and cold. There just aren't enough +'s for me to go back to a longtail. . .I think about it a lot because I REALLY like the 4x4 power to go through the thick veggies, but that is all I would want it for. . .that is pretty much it. So, I'm staying with a surface drive, I'm just going to get a hull made the way I want and more than likely mod my motor like Netman suggested. I think that would soot my needs best.

Well. . .time to high jack my own thread - LOL

Looking for a custom boat builder in the area of Lake Okeechobee, Fl to Atlanta Ga., any recommendations?

Give prodigy a call, you don't be disappointed. His shop is located in jasper ga.

Nostalgia is a cruel bitch, huh Cap?! Haha, good call.

BTW, you might pm bbb he runs a GDSD and whatever hull it is does an awesome job. It's one of the stepped styles.

Im with LB. I had a 16hp lt on the same boat now and got everywhere I needed to go. Now that I switched to a sd I can go everywhere still but much faster and easier. I only run a 23hp but it was a big jump from the 16 hp direct drive. And its way more fun to drive

18x54 personally i wouldnt change boats for a few inches this way or that just get u a bad ass sd with some gg on bottom


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I really like how much higher in the water my 54 bottom rides than the 48s I had.