I live in south central alaska and am preparing to buy my first mudmotor and boat. I'm thinking of getting a go devil surface drive 35. The hulls I'm contemplating are a 20' 60 inch wide go devile surface drive boat or that manufacturers 18' X 60" or the 16" X 60". I'll be traveling up to 60 miles in a day, and running in shallow water, with mud, gravel or rock bottoms with river currents flowing up to 7 mph. I plan to use it as a fishing and moose and duck hunting boat. I'll usually have one or two other good sized guys with me.

Any advice, considerations or pointers you give me will be appreciated.

I would go with the biggest boat !! Will carry a load better and a smother ride!!

Moose meat = 600-800 lbs
Two guys = 400 lbs
30 gallons fuel = 180 lbs
Gear, water and food = 300 lbs
35GDSD = 265 lbs
Battery = 20 lbs
With this load the 20' X 60" will run faster and shallower than the other two.
If you miss the moose the 18 X 60 will run better.
If you go alone and just do day trips the 16 X 60 will be better.

I've run all 3 with the 35GDSD and prefer the 20 X 60 because it will carry a load and still go shallow.
It just isn't as fast when you are running light.

Thanks Delta and Stu for the information. The 20' X 60" sounds like the boat of choice for me. I wonder with light loads (two guys and day trip gear) how much slower the 20' would be than the 18'. Going up a river like the Big Su would I lose 5mph with the 20'?

My 1860 gdsd boat ran around 30 with a light load and 26 with a heavy load (4 guys, dog, decoys, and gear).

Rivermusic: PM me and we can go for a ride on the Knik River in my 2054 GD with a 35HP GD. Sounds like your somewhere close to me as I run the Big Su as well. I am down in the Chugiak area. Steve Schafer at Susitna Adventure Charters runs a 2060 Go Devil boat with a 35 Hp Surface Drive and I bet he would be willing to take you for a spin if you asked nice. His contact number is 907-232-5867. Duckdon

Sorry
Steve at Susitna Adventure Charters is 907-715-1088. Guess I need to update my files.
Duckdon

I'm glad these guy's from up north chimed in, ain't no coonass with a clue of what the hell he needs up there!

Most stock 1860 will run around 29 empty. My 2060 with stock motor runs 27 empty. Your not goin to lose much and what you do lose won't be noticeable. But if you try to put big loads in a smaller rig, it will be a dog compared to a larger rig. I have planed 5 guys and 36 dozen decoys and ran at 18mph with 12 gallons I gas before.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk while NOT driving

Thanks for the the replies. I pulled the trigger on the go devil 2060 with the go devil 35 sd. Don, this is George, looking forward to mid July and the boat arrival.

river where exactly are you located? Im up in Slana, Alaska. Ive been seeing more mud motors up here but right now alot up this way are running jets....just dont get the power of a SD will do

fish2keel
Not sure where your at but if your in the Fairbanks area Stu Varner is the guy to talk with about a Go Devil. He has been selling um for about 20 years and has more stick time than anyone I know in Alaska. PM him and he will get back with you when he's not on the river. I am down in the Anchorage area any happy to talk with you or do a test drive if your so inclined. Go Devil motors are in my opinion the way to go in the sort of tough river conditions we run but more on that later if you PM me. Duckdon

Rivermusic.....I sort of wondered if that was you George. I am heading for Louisiana Friday night. Back ASAP with your boat. Oh, ya, Remember when I said I was having a new grandaughter in Wyoming. She was born just a few hours ago so I am looking forward to seeing her on my return trip. Duckdon

Congratulations, Don! My best to you, grandma, and the proud parents. I'm glad your going to be able to see her on the way up.

I'm really looking forward to the boat and drive safely.

duckdown,

Congrats first off! Second yeah I may take you up on that offer for the test ride. My father is looking for a new rig for up in alaska. He wanted a jet til I showed him MMT and all yalls rigs and he was sold! Were going to be in anchorage in a few weeks since we live in the bush. I heard prodrive is in wasilla while the go devil is in anchorage. Is this about right? Hes leaning to the go devil actually. Were going to check out the 35hp vangaurd

Be sure to check all brands out to figure what you like best before you buy.