Anyone have any experience with a long or short tail on a 1648 flat bottom jon boat? Some places I hunt are too shallow for an outboard, but most of my time will be spent on lakes and rivers. Not looking for speed or to go over stumps, logs, mud flats, just need it to be able to plane out the boat with 3 guys, a dog, and decoys.
If you have any experience with long or short tails on this type of boat, can you let me know how it handles a load and what hp motor it was?

Thanks,
John

i have a 20 horse on a 1540 flat. with me it goes 19 and with 2 people, a dog, and 30 decoys, it goes about 13. but mine is a crawfish model (shortshaft). i'd go with a longtail higher up in horses like a 27-35 hp godevil. i use my boat for fishing in the offseason as well with a 9.9 and i didnt modify the back like im supposed to which is why im not doing good with speed.

I'm hoping a 27 longtail will do what I want, otherwise I will go with the 35. Not sure if I want to rule out a surface drive just yet. The 1648 has a tall transom. Boat will be used for fishing with the family in the summer.

My Primary hunting-fishing and cruising rig is a 16'x48" Sea Ark Rivited Short transome model, with modified 35 hp Mudbuddy Hyperdrive. Its top speed with one person 250# is 30.6 mph @4200rpm, with 2 people decoys boat blind and misc. hunting stuff it will run 26.4mph estimated weight of hunting set up and people 1800#. It will plane boat easily with 4 people when in crusing mode. I also have a 29hp GD crawfish LT on 14x48" Lowe Jon. Motor was repowered to 29 Big Block From 9.9Hp Frame. It is turning 3650rpm with a 9x8 Hopkins prop @ 25.7 mph with one person and 22.2mph with 2 People, hope this info helps you decide on motor style and HP.

I am running a 36 PD on a 16x48 alweld tall transom. Very Happy with it. Wish I would have waited for the marine edition.

15/48 heavy arse G3 w/ a 27 MB Mini Lite.
Me, dog, & 3 dz decoys = 23 mph
Add 230 lb buddy = 21 mph
Add another buddy = 16-18 mph

i had a 23hp longtail go devil on a 1648 jon boat and only got 8mph with me and 1 other person... i bought a 36hp prodrive and run 28 with me and 2 people..i wasnt lookin for speed either but i did want to run a lil faster... id go with a 36 prodrive

Buddies got a 27 MB mini on a 1648 Alumnacraft jon and he will run 26.5 all day long. Only has custom exhaust so it ain't modded. Of course slower with a load but not bad.