I have a Tracker 1648, 16 in transom with a MN 3500 on it. Mods coming shortly. I know the boat is less than ideal for a mud motor, but I really don't need a true mud hull up here. I just need it to go through skinny water and weeds. I was running a SWOMP 35SS in the fall and a 40 hp outboard on a jack plate in the summer. I added pods to the set up and it worked pretty well. I got a deal on the MB so I sold those motors and mounted the surface drive. The pods don't seem to help and I think they are actually causing some drag. My question, cut them off or have the welder fill in between them and turn it into a hunt deck? My concern with removing pods is the weight on that short transom and getting water over the back. The hunt deck would help with that, but it will be almost a grand to add it.

you would probably be better off selling that hull as is and buying a good used one in the long run.

This^^ Or roll off throttle and goose it when the back wash tries to come over the transom

Or you could have a custom one built!


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I chopped the pods and the speed came up. Holds around 20 with me, 70 lb lab and 60 lb kid in deep water. Gas can in the back not quite half full. I had the trolling motor on with both group 24 batteries just behind the front deck. I also moved the starting battery under the front deck. I am not sure I am getting everything from the motor. I messed around with the govenor, but the tack ins only showing 3500 rpm or less in the water. It is a stock 2012 MB 3500 special. I've had guys tell me they get close to 30 out of this set up. Anything else to look at on the motor to try and up the rpms? My thought now it to build that motor. Even if it won't shove this hull, it will be ready for the next one.

It's got a stock carb?

All stock

Wow, is this a semi v hull or the flat bottom tracker? That thing should be doin bout 30 with a flat bottom tracker and even 27+ with a semi v.

I modified a 1854 tracker last year. Worked good. Rode a lil low in the back. Got an Excel 1851 with hunt deck and it runs way better.