Picked up my new Copperhead 12hp LCT today from Illowa Marine/Phowler boats. My boat is a Alumacraft 1436 with a subfloor and has factory benches so its kind of heavy. It is rated for a 25hp but I reinforced the transom before mounting the mud motor. I ran the boat for about 15 minutes and I'm very happy with it. It was getting 18-19mph with 2 people and I'd imagine it would get 20+ by myself.

I would highly suggest a Copperhead 12hp to anyone with this size boat or smaller. I'd also suggest talking to the guys at Illowa Marine/Phowler Boats if your interested in a Copperhead, they had 2 new 12hp's in stock which are hard to find since Copperhead couldn't even ship them out for a few months. I'll post more once I get some hours on the motor.

And most importantly, here's the pics.

Nice rig! Can you post a pic of it floating? I'm curious how much squat it has.... I'm putting a 14 kohler copperhead on a 13 by not quite 36 skiff and I'm freakin out about the weight.

Thanks! Makes me feel a bit better about my rig.... I won't breathe a sigh of relief until I get the motor mount build and actually get it wet.

Yeah, I got hooked on speed during my demo ride. Also I'm scared to death of getting stuck. none of my podnahs have mud rigs and I will be riding alone pretty much exclusively. The 6.5 would have been much easier, but the 14 is gonna be a BEAST on what amounts to a square stern pirogue!

That's what I'm betting on. If it's solid enough to get stuck, I can get out and push. If it's too soft to get out, I shouldn't get stuck. Also I'm going with the low friction bottom coating from day one.

Careful how far forward u lean it trailering ... Oil will run in on your breather thru the vent tube from the valve cover ... Try something different

Ever got some better pics?

I had the 12hp on my 1433 and I ran good as all he[[ cant go wrong with them copperheads! and I upgraded to the 14hp and the weight isn't a problem at all!

Well after a few more hours on the motor I don't have anything bad to say. I did notice with the small provided gravity feed fuel tank it only runs about 25 minutes before it starts to spit and sputter and eventually run out of gas. I called up Copperhead and they sent me the remote fuel kit for half price. Other than that its been running great and has gone through more mud than my longtail every would've dreamed.
Here's a video I shot playing around in the marsh.

That looks like a great rig. I have the same boat and have been looking into getting a bigger motor (9hp longtail) or a bigger rig all together. What is the biggest size copperhead you think you could put on it?

Glad you like the set-up, it was great working with you.

PW

i have a 15hp on my 1432. wouldnt go any bigger for a 1436 either.

I have an 18 hp copperhead on my 1436 boats weighs about 175lbs and it will almost get 30 mph with just me in it... It's not but about 20lbs weight difference in the 14 and 18 hp. And the vtwin has a lot more torque and runs smoother