I have an 18x44 Go-Devil boat. It is not the SD Boat, but the older model. I would like to put a Surface Drive Engine on the boat.

1. Is there any negative to putting a surface drive on a boat that was built for a long tail?

I have this exact boat?

Would a GT35 or a Pro Drive have decent performance on this boat if I can add one? Thanks.

That seems like a very light built boat. But, if you already own it.. Put a Motor on it....
If you have the poling Platform, it will most likely have to come of.

You will need to measure your transom to insure proper height for either one of the two manufacturers you listed.

I had a 36 pd on my 18x44
ran about 24-25 mph empty. (had a hook at the transom)
load carrying wasn't that great.
my new boat would out run that hull i had anyday.
watch out for the backwash with the short transom.
I will say that boat could turn on a dime at WFO

Thanks for the responses. But, since I am a newbie, is WFO ---wide f'n open?

I was hoping with the boat empty, running a 35 gator tail I would at least get 27-28.

I stripped the foam out today, it was soaked. Going get some new foam on Saturday, should be 50 pounds lighter.

What kind of fuel tank do I need? I need 20 mile range round trip to access my lease. Will 6 gallons make it??? Thanks again gents

go with a 36 pd. i had a go devil and the go devils cant hold a candle to them.. the prodrive have a neutral switch and reverse... i have a 1648 grizzly semi v and i had a 23hp godevil n only ran 7-9mph.. i purchased a 36 prodrive n ran 25mph with 3 big guys 2 boat batteries, 5 gallons of gas, 2 anchors.... pretty pleased with the prodrive

transom height and angle will come into play too...pretty sure most of those older boats have a 20 degree transom but not 100% sre on that

Its 18 foot long but being short transom, 44" wide bottom and round chines the PD is gonna sqaut the back of the boat alot

What terrain are you running? That'll be little better deciding factor I think

like someone already said get the biggest motor now and then worry bout the boat later

The boat has a short transom. Kyle at Gator Tail told me to get the transom raised to 21 inches, and he said the 35GTR would run great on that boat. I run this boat is stictly brackish marsh. Even on the dead of winter days, I still have some water in the ponds that I hunt. We will see, thanks for all of the replies on this post, most helpful.

Darrel from Meraux has a 20x44 like that,he has a 31 lt and a 31 gt that he runs on it.He put a carb and new heads on the gt and it runs 30 with him and another guy in the boat.

what do you mean terrian? i have a 21in transom.

terrain meaning.....timber, stumps, vegetation, hard sandy bottom, soft sandy bottom, soft mud, or any of those mixed in....etc

Get the most HP u can afford! And Don’t look Back!

i hunt hard n soft mud.... open water mainly......

when we get alot of rain i hunt flooded corn field but that dont happen often..... go BIG or go home......36hp prodrive.... you will never regret it.... get them at abernathys in union city teneessee for 5795 out the door no taxes....