So I am getting a Gator Trax Marsh series 16 ft boat, but I am not sure what type of motor to go with and want to get some peoples opinion other than the sales man and the different mud motor companies. I dont know if I should go with a long tail or surface drive. I dont really need anything bigger than a 23-35 hp because the boat is so light and the 23hp mud buddy supposedly will get me up to 20+mph. I will be hunting on some small mud flats but mainly in lily pads. I was thinking of going more with the surface drive because I want to be able to drive and sit down during off season or whenever also been told that long tails can beat the crap out of you. However, I have also heard that the long tails are the 4wheel drive of mud motors. So, that being said any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hard to talk about when the info is so little. What type of weight will you be running? How long of runs are you making? Do you want power accessories i.e. Clutch, trim, reverse?

count beaver tail out because they a bunch of bitches and there customer service sucks. and those marsh series boats are nice but kinda wide to run a long tail.

Where are you located?

If you want a longtail I believe backwater makes the best one.

It's simple. get a mud motor. shoot ducks in the face.

your price point is also another thing to think about. For HP go with as much as you can afford and your boat will support. I dont know the marsh series but i would think a 16ft Gator trax would more than handle a 35. I dont think you want a longtail.... dont sound like you need it and it's easier to run the short tails day in and day out. I own both and they each have uses. I'm a mud buddy guy but honestly i think you cant go wrong with pro drive or gator tail either. I almost bought a Gator Tail myself this time around. Back to the begining.... i would figure out your price and then start from there.

Sounds like you're wanting something simple, strong, and reliable to me.... Consider a GoDevil Surface drive as well. Everyone will tell you, they're no frills type motors with no reverse, clutch, or power trim but you'll quickly figure out that you can do everything you need to do without those things. I have. And because of that, there's also no reverse, clutch, or power trim to malfunction and leave you hanging somewhere. They all basically use the same powerheads so that's not really up for too much discussion but the frame is and customer service is what you're buying.

I'm not discounting the merits of the other types of motors you listed but I didn't see GoDevil mentioned, and given what you're describing, it will do everything you need very well.

If you dont wont to break the bank, consider Coppeheads. As Longtail has mentioned about GD, Copperheads are simple and much much lighter than the big name motors. They just released a 25hp subaru motor and the entire unit weighs less than 160 lbs vs a 250+ lb mud buddy.

Ok so I have limited it down to going with a surface drive. The company that I am buying the boat from carries mud buddy and gator tail. I am thinking about getting the 23 min mud buddy for around 5k but that is manual trim or just go big and get the gator tail 35hp that has revers and power trim for like 8k. What do yall think is it worth having reverse, trim and the extra hp?

Just get the GTR and be done.

35.... reverse is whatever..... but you'll be happier with the 35. I've owned and loved the 23 mini. ran a few longtails over the years, couple big block Mud Buddys and run a 7HP stump jumper right now (waiting on a 37 EFI HDR) and i have to say the 23 was my favorite motor to date closely followed by that stump jumper. But if i was looking at the 2 you just named on the boat you said your buying it would be hands down the GTR i would buy. that 23 will not perform like you want it to on that boat without major upgrades. The GTR will do it out of the box and STILL offer you the chance to upgrade even further down the road.

If your buying a mud motor and one of your reasons is for running lilies/weeds the long tail will bog down. The surface drive cuts them up. Also the big block (35) has the balls to throw the weeds to get going once stopped. Podcast has a "stage 2" GTR and my 37 GTR will throw weeds right next to him while his fights a little (not much, but you can tell a slight difference) just for comparison. I also understand your version of lilies is way worse than ours up here in WI.


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I've seen it. I've also run a little bit of everything. Albeit never ran a big block longtail (and that may be where the difference is) but a longtail in submergent vegetation has never worked too great for me.


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Thanks for everyone's input. I went with the GTR 35. Will try and post pics after I pick it up. Any advice someone new to mud motors? Like break in time or any helpful tips, or the dose and dont? This is my first boat just dont want to screw anything up right away lol.

Took me a while to post a pick bc been having to much time playing on it lol but here is what it looks like and def glad I went with the 35hp surface drive have been blowing past guys with 25hp and long tails.

Looks good!

Runs about 25 mph with me, two dogs, two others and gear prob weighing around 800-900 pounds

I have only owned one mud motor . . . 04 25hp MudBuddy surface drive with 196 hrs on it. No cluch, no reverse but does have tilt & trim. Don't see any reason to up grade from what I have . . . more parts means more problems and just look on this site and you will see what I mean.

The reverse has saved me more times than I can count in the mud not to mention its extremely helpful when pulling the boat on to the trailer. But I do agree with that the tilt and trim are def make a difference.

I just ordered the 16ft. Gator Trax Marsh also and at a loss for which motor to run. I am torn between the pro drive x37 with auto reverse and the MB 37 HDR. Haven't really considered the gatortail but I need to make a decision in the next week or so. Any problems since you put the gt on it?

I would get rid of that Briggs exhaust. After awhile their internals can break up and cause internal damage to your engine. Been there done that. Just food for thought.

How do you like the gatortail 37 on the 16 ft marsh, i ordered the boat now about to call gatortail. did you buy the short or long transom?

Sorry I had not been on in a while. I got the tall transom. I have loved my boat, its not great for rough water at all but I have been able to get places no one else can and can get there allot faster than other surface drives and long tails.