It seems like the guys who have the 25GTR are all happy. I plan on putting one an another 16.5*46 Instagator, similar (but not identical) to Lucecr's.

The one comment I keep seeing is that they don't have the torque of the big blocks, even though the speed with light loads seems to be better than expected from a small block.

I don't run plan on running mud. Only vegetation. Mostly hydrilla and lilly pads here in FL, along with bulrush within reason---I understand it isn't an airboat. Load will almost always with 2 guys in the boat/decoys/2 guns; we're both under 185lbs.

Does the lack of torque mostly affect mud performance? Or will it suffer in vegetation as well? I plan on putting Gatorglide on it as soon as I get it.

Are you hp restricted if not get a 35

16.5x46 is bigger than I wanted to begin with.

I'm not HP restricted. But I'm money-restricted. This is my second boat and I'm trying to keep this as close to $10k as possible.

I'll ask this despite the hell I'm sure that will follow:

Would you sooner put a GTR25 on it, or a 35 MudBuddy? They're almost the same price.

I hear you on the 35. But what I really want to know is, is mud the biggest challenge to the torque on these small blocks? The little 18 Copperheads seem to cut vegetation pretty well. I was hoping the 25 (28) GTR would do what I needed it to do.

If you're thinking GTR25 or 35 Mudbuddy, why not think GTR25 or GT35 (no reverse model) since the Mudbuddy won't have reverse anyway. A GT35 is about the same price as a GTR25.

It will do it no problem. It will do it better than any other small hp motor out their

It will work.

Gunn, one of the main reasons that I went with the 25 Subaru is the change up from Briggs. I have had a couple of Briggs engines and I got tired of changing the case gasket and the possibility of a cracked case. Also, the Efi will be a real plus in the cold temps. I run a couple of robins on some floor cut saws that we have, and they are tough as nails. They have been put through the ringer by our Mexicans with little to no maintenance or service and they still crank and run like champs. Nothing against the Briggs engines, but I just wanted something different this go round.

Also, if Arkie ever goes back to a strict 25 hp limit (like no 35 mm's) then I will still be good.

I'm somewhat familiar with the Subaru Robin engines and that's what caught my attention. We use the 5hp ones here to dive with on a Brownie's Third Lung for lobster. If you haven't seen one, it's essentially an innertube with a Briggs, Honda, or Subaru 3.5-5hp motor in it with an air compressor and a dive flag, so you don't have to use SCUBA and never run low on air.

The Subarus and Hondas are much more respected than the Briggs here for that application; the Briggs are actually only offered in the "economy" models.

25 Gtr or 35 gt Reverse is more important than 10 hp 25gtr

Look at lucer's speeds with 4 people in his boat (granted, 1 woman and 2 kids prob equates to 3 men) and he was running 27-28 in deep water. That ain't very far off from a 35 stock.

From what we've talked about the 25gtr should be fine. But you can never go wrong with more hp.

Same as mine. That ain't but 30 -40 lbs difference max.

The open water speeds aren't what I'm worried about. I've seen all I need to see in Lucecr's boat.

My concern is cutting the vegetation.

I came across this video from last lobster miniseason, using a Brownie. I figured you LA/TX guys might enjoy it.

Press play and then pause, so it loads fully, or it will be choppy in HD:

https://vimeo.com/46790514

Pintail, can you post a larger picture?

Well, damn.

My buddy just put a deposit down on an 1854 Excel (715lbs before pop-up blind) with a 35CDI Mudbuddy.

I wonder if that 25GTR will keep up.

The 1mph on the water will equal in walking away from another boat. The ones I seen run in Setx will walk away from a heavy boat with a stock 35.

I have the 25hp gatortail and i ride with people who have 35 gatortails and 36 prodrives, and I can go thru vegetation just as easy as them. So i would not worry if it will go thru lillies and such because it will.

dem 25's will run......

I have a stock gtr and a gd boat that people also consider to be tanks and I left that 25 hp at setx

running from gsu to moon pond i kept having to back off because i was gaining on the 35hp gd that was in front of me......and luce has about 1 mph more than me.....looks like we should line em up and see, paint should be done by next weekend ( i hope!!!!) and i can then do the review on my boat and motor and run it alongside some of the 35's....ill make sure and get video.

a half float still better than a no float

I could see the 25 keeping up if it was on a small light boat. But probably not on a larger boat...

Sorry, Quacker. THat GIF file was just too perfect!

that's great

Hahaha I figured that was comin after I thought about it!

I know everyone has been jumping up and down and fallin on the ground about the speeds the 25 rigs are getting and it's definitely impressive but how does their power in the nasty stuff compare to the big block? IMO that's more important than 2-3 mph...