Well I have been working at putting this rig "on line" as I bought it as a salvaged boat with locked up Mud Buddy longtail - as it went underwater...

The hull is a slick bottom WeldBilt 17x42 - 60 inch beam, squarenose, large 48x48 extended front deck, center seat with storage, open rear cockpit area with grab bar attached to center seat... Side edges are not rolled but rear edge is rolled from transom to bottom... Hull appears to offer a very dry ride as there is no visible side or front spray whatsoever...

Sold longtail to one member of MMT - then - Bought 27 GoDevil Surface Drive unit from another MMT member.... Thanks guys - you are a big part of helping me get this rig "on line" in a budget...

The GDSD is a 2006 model with Kohler and 2 blade prop with 60 hrs...

Tides were super low so tested rig in deep water by doing some pretty wild sliders and getting the feel of things on a solo run up the Trinity river then down Long Island Bayou where I did jump a few logs fer fun and giggles...

First test run today running solo turned 26 mph easily at 3800 rmp - but more importantly boat goes on step in a heartbeat with only a touch of the throttle.... Rear washover was minimal when simulating motor stall.... Grab bar location was too far forward as it was located for a longtail with longer handle - however pulled it out and inserted only one leg into pilot pipe and allowed the other end to "float" on floor which seemed to work well - will need to put a pin in it for safety when doin sliders...

Just as in the other revue about the 35 GDSD which was posted - I was a bit supprised that the motor is so tail heavy and has a bit of a limited range of lift and drop - prop cannot be totally cleared from the water but only just barely touched water so no problem really.... The 35 has a better balance and greater movement range... Also the 2 blade has a bit more vibration than the newer model with the 3 blade - but that may be a simptom of prop wear - but also no problem really...

So those are the pros and cons...

Overall - I was very pleased for a first run...

Will edit this post or add a new post when I get a chance to "challenge" it in the mud - and test with a 2 man and 3 man load....

good post
thanks

Sounds like a great setup, your gonna love the surface drive.

Thanks

After takin down a duck blind...

Hey I just figgered out how to post pics....

Good Looking Rig, I could use a little camo on mine instead of the current bare aluminum interior.

Draht Dog - welcome to the board - Mt Belview - shoot we are practically neighbors....