I am new to the mud motor rigs, been duck hunting for 20 years and now have decided to break down and get one for those times it will be needed. I hunt mostly vegetation and stumps in lakes, maybe some shallow water if it is dry like it was last year.
I have been following this site since January and have found there to be a wide variety of types of rigs as well as different uses and cost.
I want a rig I can get about three people around in, not a speed demon for fun, but just for hunting. I have a friend that has a 36Prodrive and it has a tuff time with a load so I know I need at least a 35 HP motor.
Anyway I do not want to spend a ton of money(less than $10,000) and have thought about a 18x60 GO-Devil SD boat with a 35GDSD, used of course.
What do you guys think about these rigs, would it serve my purpose well?
Thanks

prodrive or gator tail in vegitation

ditto to Bubba.


A 35 should have no problem running in the mid 20's with 3 men on an 18' MUDBOAT hull. Emphasis on Mudboat

Is the 60"wide bottom okay, what would the difference be between a 48 or 54" compared to the 60" for an 18 foot long boat. Performance wise what are the advantage or disadvantages?

You don't need a 60" bottom. My boat is 18x48 and 2 weeks ago I had 3 guys 220 and over plus 3 boys 8 to 9yrs old. the boat got up fine and we even did some marsh jumping with that load. Now by boat has a flat bottom with no rake so I don't know how much difference that makes.
Nothing wrong with a 52 or 54 tho.
I would try to get a 3/16 bottom with longitudinal stringers for the stumps.

I am talking about a Go-Devil surface drive model boat, thinking of buying a used one that is 18x60, that's why I am asking.

I'm new to mud boats as well and I just bought a used 1860 GDSD w/35 Vanguard. Stripped it down and I'm repainting and putting frogspit on bottom. It should be back together in a couple of weeks. Rewiring and adding a few things.

I can tell you this.....IT'S A BIG, BIG BOAT. I talked to godevil and many others. The consensus seemed to be that the wider the boat, the better performance with the surface drive under heavy load. I'll be testing it on Lake Okeechobee as soon as its done. I'd be happy to take you for a ride if you're in Florida. I'm hoping for 22-23 mph with 3 guys and a dog, but like I said.... ITS A BIG, BIG BOAT.

Thanks for the offer but I live in Texas or I would take you up on it.

We run the 1860 Go Devil Surface Drive boats and 35Hp GD SD motors here in Alaska and they are excellent for what we do. Not tons of weeds but lots of rocks, fast river currents and logs. I bet you would like it. Duckdon