So I crossed over to the world of Surface Drive MM having been a LT operator for quite some time.

Here is my review:

Unloaded and empty in shallow water: 24.8 mph
Deep water: 23.9 mph

2 Man hunting load (Gun Box, blind, guns, ammo, full tank of fuel, chairs,spare battery, 185 lbs each) 20.7 mph in shallow water - with one man on the front deck.

Now the fun part...

3 man hunting load at approx 850lbs
Struggled to get to 11.2 mph.... ouch.

That being said - the boat weight distribution needed to be done - guy on the bow, me and another guy on the back - the boat plowed pretty bad.

I can probably change this by having them both sit in the middle of the boat. (duh)

this speed will be re-tested at a later date.

The boat has a reinforced transom - 2 x extra brackets welded on for support - its a very sturdy setup.

Not a mud hull I know, but up in Canada - hard to come by those here.

The Mod V goes through mud easily, and does even better through weeds. What I really like with the 21'' transom and higher sides - hitting big water (Lake Ontario).
Handles big waves great.

Reverse on a Mud Motor - ok fellas - you sold me on it - then I tried it. Love it.
Intentionally lodged myself in some muck and couldnt go any further forward - ratchet into reverse and managed to get out - not easily mind you - but still got out. Pretty cool stuff.

The neutral, and 'bump' to engage the electric clutch - awesome for setting/removing decoys

I like the setup - it works for my requirements - I'm happy with the 1-2 person speeds - however talk about bogging with a load - wow major fail! - I was warned - but I rarely hunt 3 guys at the same time so...Doesnt really bother me.....kinda.....a little bit....

more info to follow when i start moving weight around and see if I can get those heavy loads to improve at all. I'd be happy with 14-16 mph with that load.

Oh and the skeg pics up a lot of weeds - kinda sucks - but easy removal.

There is my review, enjoy!

Cheers!

B.

Buzz, so the transom was originally 16" when you ran the LT on the grizzly 1648? I have the same grizzly hull in a short transom with a 27 HP Kohler MB LT. I don't run big water so I can see why you switched to a PD shorty with reverse. I'm hoping the MB SLT will be finally available, don't need a 35 HP, so I am looking for the 27 SLT version. Those true mud hulls are a major investment. I actually get 18 mph with two hunters and gear so I am not crying. October moves on and I am awaiting the ringbills from your part of the continent!

Good deal. Last season was excellent, we have higher water levels for the moment but the rains will diminish. I'm keeping the grizzly for a while, it is very stable, plows a bit with the LT. So after the ringers move on, is it mostly bluebills? I grew up in southeast Michigan, outside Detroit, but never got to hunt while there. A friend here has gone a number of times to Walpole Island and raves about it.

Once the ringers move on its BlueBills, Golden eye, Redheads, and Old Squaw.

Ringers are gone - expect them soon

Thanks, Buzz! I've been painting up decoys and sorting equipment. Got a backup 9x6 prop from Backwater, it's about 2 mph slower than the Hill prop I've been using. Enjoy the PD! Yeah, three is a major crowd on the 1648, I run maybe 15 mph, but usually only two, hunt solo many times, those ringers are our "bread and butter" sure fly like the dickens.

The acrobat duck

Make a seasoned hunter look like a newb lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Review update:

Speeds taken in Late November 2013. Just found my gps from the trip and remembered to write it in.

Brand new prop with 1 bag of decoys in a 1'' ripple of water on Lake Ontario - 6 gal of fuel, 1 Gun, 1 box of shells, Cabelas 1600 Supermag waders, 6lb anchor. Little to no wind.

Boat wasn't running perfectly at first - was too light in the front - so i had to move a few things around to try to get it to stop jumping up and down on me...

The speeds: was running deep - 25.2 mph and bumped 26.2 mph a few times

and actually saw a 26.9mph in 1' of water. Breakneck speeds for sure lol....

I know not as fast as some of yall out there - but it ran like a champ.....

The sad review:

Sold late January.

Boatless boo.....waiting to see where I'm going before i pull the trigger on another rig.

Would i recommend the setup?

Yes. Perfect for 2 hunters. For 3? not ideal, but workable.



PS -

Load run : with a 10' Layout, 6 slot bags with BB long lines, 2 guns, 2 boxes ammo etc....all hunting kit and fuel

19.8 MPH with a tail wind in a 6" ripple

Not too shabby.