Great site guys, been browsing and trying to learn a bit. I need some advise. I have a 1542 War Eagle with a 25 hp Yamaha 4 stroke. I am looking to sell the outboard and get a mud motor because I can't get where I want to easily with the outboard. I need a 25 hp or less for restrictions where I hunt in Southeast Texas (refuges) and am trying to decide between the GD longtail 23 vangard delta edition or the GD surface drive, 23 hp. On that boat, what would you recommend (I'm not going to sell the whole rig, just swap motors)?

The area we hunt is marsh (no stumps), muddy, and you usually need to get through about 10" of water and mud below that, so either would work I assume. I hunt with up to 3 people total, and not out of the boat. I just need to get to the hunting spot in the boat. Would you go with the LT or SD and why? Also, I would have to add a grab bar, is that an easy job? Finally, is adding a gun box easy too?

Thanks.

1542 + 3 guys + 23hp LT or SD = sub-plane sub-standard performance

Sorry but thats the deal - unless all three of you weigh under 150 lbs each

Sell the whole rig - get you an 18x48-ish size hull and be happy with either the LT or SD on a larger true slick bottom mudboat

But be aware that getting good performance with only 25 hp in a mudboat with three normal sized guys and gear is right at the max of what is doable - so you need to testdrive whatever you buy to get what you are wanting for performance with those loads....

Or at least get a test drive on a motor with your hull to confirm or deny the performance of your hull with that motor...

I understand your need to stay under 25 hp but with that load a MM in the same hp is not going to perform anywhere close to how your outboard does.

Thanks guys. 90% of the time, it is just 2 of us hunting, which probably totals 550lbs of people and gear. Still don't think it will perform?

OEM motor stickers are fairly cheap and I do believe you can find them for a 25hp and under. Thats the easiest mod for a 35, 36, or whatever size you plan on going with.

We are also a WE dealer and I can tell you first hand any 25HP or under surface drive is not going to plane that boat with three men, it will even be a stretch with just two. The boat is to short to get on plane with any load and the weight of a surface drive on the back will make shallow water starts tough, the boat will draft alot of water at the rear. If you don't mind going slow your best bet is a long-tail, 23-25 hp, it will get you there and be alot cheaper then putting a new surface drive on the rig only to find out it will not do what you want it to do.

Simply put, go with what will function on that boat or get a better matched boat for a surface drive.

PW

I have a follow up question for this thread. I just bought a 35 MB SD and I am planning on putting in on my 16 ft WE. Your opinon, is my going to have trouble getting on plane in the shallow mud???? I didn't have any trouble with the 18 hp gd LT that i am taking off of it. Yall just got me thinking.

I'm not sure on the above question but appreciate the responses from everyone.

And with that much hp surely it will plane out?

Ps, take me hunting, I'm in Houston!

what kinda load u gonna have??

a buddy of mine(BrackIV) has a 23MB Sd on a 1542 alweld and it will run 3 guys with hunting load 16-17 mph. with 2 ppl it will 20 mph with load. it has no problem gettin on plane with those loads. it drops about 3-4 mph per person you add to the boat.

he loves his lil rig and like yourself hunts the refuges with hp restrictions in SETX. i would go with the surface drive. the grab bar is optional. its all about how comfortable you feel with or without one. Brack ran his rig for 2 years without one and never fell out or got hurt. PM BrackIV if you want to know more. if he dont respond. ask me and i will get the info for ya. he dont get on very often.