I have a 2002 1442 model G3, its 14ft with a 48" bottom. i am having some problems and am looking for some advice, my problem is i just installed a brand new 23hp dixie vangaurd mud motor just rolled over my first hour, but unfortunately when i trim my motor down to try to run and pick up speed water splashes over my transom in decent amount at a time so i have to keep my motor trimed up and run 8-10 mph everywhere i go and if it gets shallow then im screwed and end up pushing. so if anyone has any answers that could help i would greatly appreciate it. i had thought about building up my transom are possibly a jack plate but this is my first mud motor so im trying to learn as i go. thanks!

Sounds like a tall transom motor on a short transom boat. Better double check that & get the transom built up before you tear up your motor.

would a jack plate possibly help or would it just be better to have my transom built up? i talked to a local guy here that owns a boat shop but he only deals with outboards and i asked him if building my transom up and he said then my motor would be to high but im not real sure he knows what he is talking about.

pics.....

1st, we've already established you have a short transom boat (16")
2nd, you need to verify with Dixie if they sold you a tall or short transom motor & ask him how you can tell the difference between the 2.
3rd, don't use a jack plate to correct the issue, have the transom built up if you do have a tall transom motor.
4th, just because he "works" in a boat shop, doesn't mean he knows ANYTHING about boats.

I'm defiantly in the twilight zone!!!!!!!!!!

Shouldn't the bottom of the belt housing be even with bottom of boat...in other words belt housing shouldn't hang below bottom of boat, I think the standard short transom is 16" and that's what he builds the belt housing too, if yours is 14" then probably hangs down 2" below, not sure how much water it would kick up but sure some?

Not sure where I got the 14" from...maybe the exact same post with a different name that you posted lol

Belt housing should be higher than bottom of boat

The drive angle will be forked up if you don't have a tall on a tall and a short on a short. The boat will not perform like it should. That's why they make two options. Its not a universal fit.

Transom height is beyond critical! Ultimately you want the belt housing to be as close to the bottom of the boat as you can without creating spray or drag. The reason for this is unlike a outboard mud motors do not get lift due to prop shaft angle or lack there of. The closer to the bottom you can get allows you to get closer to a positive prop shaft angle in turn giving lift and better speeds. I've personally seen 1-2mph difference from just a 1/4" up or down on the transom. Typically on gtr's, mb and copperheads I've found that 5/8" to 3/4" above the bottom does best on a 15 degree transom angle.

okay so im going to call dixie and see what they say i have, and i will post further information then. thanks everyone

i have a 16" transom and i purchased a short transom mud motor the guy that builds these motors told me a few things to try and if they didnt work then i could bring it up there and he would lift my belt box up.. thanks for all the responses