I'm thinking about buying a 18'x44" Go-Devil boat, I was just wondering what would be a better motor to run with this rig and get the pros and cons of each motor.

I ran a 23 Briggs on my 1948 w/ light load at 18mph... Will have more stats on it in the next two weeks I hoping... Will post an update on it after I get it back in the water....

well I sure appreciate it, my concern was if I run a bigger boat should I run a bigger hp engine

Its always better to have to much than not enough....

Only reason i'm not completely sold on the Kohler is that it doesn't have a manual start like the Vanguard does

You can pull start the 27 if you get the recoil from www.bayourentals.com.

23Vanny, hands down, had mine for 5 years and only let me down ONE time, and that was just a gasket. Went everywhere in it

well the recoil starter for the Kohler has me sold, thanks guys for your help

Not just yet. You do know you will need a 12 volt powersource to power the fuel shut-off solenoid. Although, ask around on here I'm pretty sure you can remove the solenoid and replace it with a plug eliminating that problem. Personally, I just carry a spare lawnmower battery and don't worry about having the recoil and the solenoid problem. They weigh what? maybe 10 lbs at most. Hell, we got a Kohler on a mower at work with at least 1700 hrs on it and the starter hasn't been changed yet, so that doesn't worry me. I wouldn't worry about the recoil just get a small battery for $35 and roll with it. Besides, I'm not quite sure how fun it would be trying to crank on that thing anyway.

A 27 HP kohler has 725 + CC. Rope pulling a motor that big is like rope pulling a big bike engine. I am not sure that it is even possible for the ordinary guy. I do hear this arguement for a rope pull often. The charging system on the big Kohler is just like on a car. It is big enough to keep up a big battery. Do your battery maintance and keep the tune up on the motor up and dont even think about pulling a rope that you might not be able to do anyway. Enjop the Kohler.

Mark F. Cheney

yeah I talked to some buddies of mine and they said the same thing, I decided to go with the 35hp Vanguard with a 18'x44" Go-Devil boat, thanks for all the help guys

Have you ever driven a LT? If not you in for a real treat!

I tell you one thing, I drive a 16hp just about everyday at work and there it a big difference between that one and the 27hp in the back yard.

Also here is a tidbit to ponder....

The smaller prop of the 23 vs the 31.... If you are ever
running over harder bottoms the smaller prop works better...

Coco had told me once a 23 is like a 292 Chevy,a 27 is like a 350 Chevy,and a 35 is like a 454 Chevy.At the time they(Go Devil) had a 31,thats what I got and I ain't looking back.It's on a 1656 GD boat and it runs like a dream.

I'm running a 27 Kohler on a 14' boat... she's a bit heavy but gets me through ANYTHING! LOVE IT!

wait till you smoke your first stump WOT and that handle comes down on your foot

the 35 is a beast. i had one on my 16x38 GD boat and it was a runner. just hold on tight and wear your killswitch!

BTW, i've tried pull starting a 27 kohler... hope you like hernias, lol

YEAH, STUMPS will get your heart going for a bit!

I had a 27 with the GD emergency start hub(mounts between the u joint and the engine) and it wasnt too bad to pull start.

Never had a problem with the 27 kohler starting. Sometimes you need to adjust the horizontal tilt up or down. Usually, slightly below parallel to the water, tiller end down, turn the key cranks right away. I run cranking battery and a second acessories battery, never a problem. I have an extra longtail go-devil 27 if you are interested.