Running marsh,grass, pads,mud,sand,stumps, 16x48 and a 14x36 aluminum flat bottoms. Which one is more suitable, a long tail or surface drive

Wow, lots of variables, but per your description, I'd say the LT is the best fit. Shorter runs, shallow water/hard bottom, lighter loads, the LT delivers in a cheaper, reliable platform. The SD wins on longer runs, heavier loads, mud, drivability, speed...I started with a 1436 and an 18 HP GD LT and now have a 1648 and have run both 25/27 HP LT's on it and it delivers. Just got a 26.5 EFI BackH20 LT and within a week or so will test it out. If you do choose the LT, I recommend the BW over the others...don't get me wrong, GD and MB make good solid LT's, but BW is better!

I run all of the above in a surface drive.
1436 will be too small very quickly. We used to run a 16 godevil on a 1436 and had to make multiple trips to the blind with more than 2 people. Then ran that on a 1640 and it did great.
At minimum do the 16 foot boat and at least a 23 long tail.


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Appreciate the feedback. I think I've decide on LT. We probably run shallow water with hard and soft bottom and cypress knees more than anything else, very seldom marsh or mud. Grass and pad patches here and there. I like the looks of the BW glider kits

I found some builds on here I like one in particular 22hp LT. The speed thing is out of me now. I've had bass boats that I would spend hundreds of dollars on different things to gain 2 more mph. Last bass boat I had was a 21ft Triton 225hp Johnson would run 86 mph (GPS) with 2 people live wells full or empty. Most places I hunt and fish now if you got up to 8mph you're living on the edge!

I ran a 14x32 with a 23 SD copperhead and it was badass. Would go through just about anything because it was so light weight. But second that ^ a rig that small you end up making multiple trips to the blind when you get over 1 extra person plus gear.

Also keep in mind the weight on the transom is huge with a rig that small. I started out with a 16 GD LT on my 14x32 and it was way sketchier because it was heavier. I even swamped it by myself once, almost lost the boat and was lucky I wasnt swimming back to the ramp. A big reason I capsized so fast was because of the motor weight. Definitely check your motor weights before you buy and dont put more than 180 lbs in the back of your 14x36.

I was thinking more around 13hp or may even drop to the 6.5 on the 14/36 but definitely going with the 22 on the 16/48

ScottC, you can up the horses on both by five and still be safe...that said, speed is overrated in waterfowling,, both on these "glorified lawnmower" motors and on shotshells....try getting up earlier and enjoying the ride more, for the latter, use more lead and swing.

Ninja, is that a Kawasaki 29? When MB listed the 33 Generac I thought that was cool, but of course they quickly dropped that, not sure what happened? A few more offerings between the now 26.5 HP efi Kohler like I got, would be good, like the Briggs 31, Kaw 29, Subaru 28, Briggs 31, Generac 33, and might produce close results speed/power/ torque like the big daddy 35/37. I know the weight difference between my 26.5 and the 25/37 is only 40#, but still, less weight is a benefit to many other hulls that cannot efficiently accommodate the big block. It is hoped that the mid-range HP would also be at a more affordable price point...

Great size hull that 1844, have thought often about stepping up to a "lightweight"1848, but would definitely have to go custom; since I mostly hunt alone or one other hunter, the 1648 is enough.

ScottC, just to be redundant again, check out the BW kits!

I run a 35hp on a 17-52 and a 10hp on a 14-36, both longtails for grass, trees and rocks. Both are very well matched.
A 15'-42"or 16'-48" with a 23hp swomp lite is a bad a** do all combo. Super light, nimble for tight curves and thick stuff, hauls a load reliably and gets almost the same speed as my 35hp on the larger hull. If I had to cut back to a single boat for everything this would be it.
I would have gone up to a 13 or 16hp for the 14'-36", but I like being light enough to carry/drag a ways into some great spots, solo or with a partner. That coupled with- cold weather Minnesota hunting, my 240# self and a heavier motor in that little boat is going to mean too little freeboard. If I hit anything, or have an abrupt stop there's going to be water coming in the back.

Thanks y'all for the advice. I'm listening and learning.

You are lucky to have two rigs, I've been arguing for years for another one, but she who must be obeyed says no, good thing I was able to successfully lobby for multiple scatterguns.

Glades, ever since I bought the big life insurance policy, my wife has been pushing me to spend more money and time on the things I really enjoy. She even bought me skydiving lessons, but I haven't had time to use them as I've been tied up fixing a cut brake line on my truck....

Great wife! My advice is to stay on the ground, fix your truck, let the ducks fill the skies!