I am looking for some advice. I am interested in purchasing a boat similar to a basic Gator Trax 15'x44". I would like to put a 23hp go devil surface drive motor. Is this a good combination. I will be using the boat to run about a mile to my blinds from my camp in the marsh. The majority of the run is in deep ditches until you get in the ponds. I do not want a larger boat since all of our blinds would not fit a larger boat under the blinds boat hide.

Also, what boat builders would u recommend? I want a square front with a small front deck.

Any advice is very appreciated.

ACL

Don't start this, which boat builder is the best, pissing match!!!!! I would call around to all the builders and get pricing on the exact boat you want. They will be able to tell you what that boat/motor combo should run.

Go to Facebook and MMT and look at all the pictures, but regardless, what you think you want will change once you have the boat and have a chance to use it.

1244 Atchafalaya Outdoor Designs W/ 12hp Copperhead

Go devil boat would go real nice with the 23hp GDSD.

I would buy a go devil but their smallest boat is a 16', the longest I can fit in our blinds is a 15'. Any recommendations?
Not looking to start a pissing match, I'm asking for advice from someone with knowledge and experience with surface drives and boats.

Thanks for your feedback thus far, much appreciated.

If that is truly what you are after, a 1544 with a 23 would work pretty good.

I'd say a longer boat, but for your specific use you will get along alright.


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Even with a 15' boat, you still have a 36" drive hanging out the back end... is 1' more boat going to be a deal breaker? You could always throw a grass mat over it or something. The 1644 or 38 and 23 GDSD makes for a nice running small hunting package.

Do you think it's a noticeable difference between 15 and 16'?

Noticeable as in how? It'll only help that little motor out. The longer boat will displace more weight and run shallower all other things being equal. It will carry weight better due to the increased planing surface of the hull.

A 1544 gatortrax is actually 16.5 feet long. Gator trax does not include the hunt deck in their measurement of the boat. Unless you were going without a hunt deck, which I would not own another mud boat without one. Gets the long ass tiller out of the interior of the boat, gives you some extra flotation as well as a place for the dog to sit and less back splash into the boat. Win win win imo. It would make a nice small water boat for duck hunting and fishing.

Please explain how a hunt deck gives extra flotation.....

I think he just means it's adding length and surface area.


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I have a 1638 godevil and it is a small rig. My 23 longtail pushes it nicely but a 23 surface drive should roll out on it. Look at the gator trax rogues as well. I love the size of my GD, just don't like the cross bench and low sides. My next boat will be a 1638 gatortrax

I got one because I can't clutter it up like I would the inside of the boat so when the engine breaks I have somewhere to stand without kicking shit around or breaking something.

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I like mine

So suck it World.


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Can't extend your blind and extra couple feet to get the boat you really want? That would be the most logical decision in my opinion.

First thanks for all your feedback, much appreciated. I might just go with a 1648 gator tail with a 25hp.

I am trying to avoid extending 8 plus blinds.

Anyone have any advise on buying one put together somewhere versus ordering one from Gator Tail and having to wait.

What I did on a short blind was back in. I threw down my raffiea grass on the deck matt and set a couple field decoys on top. Seemed like it helped.

I would buy a lightly used boat or complete set up. I have not found one for sale.

I have put a deposit down on a GTR 25 EFI and on a custom made flat. Should take 3-4 weeks to build. Boat is all going to be 1/8" . I am going to speak with builder today reguarding size. I'm trying to decide 15 or 16 feet by 46". I wil use the boat primarily for marsh running from camp to blinds. The boat will be open with no boxes or storage. I will use 3 K2 coolers as seats strapped down to floor.
Thoughts and advice. Any estimated performance numbers appreciated.

Andre

Figure around 18-20 mph with 3 guys and some gear if you get the 16' and it planes out.

#CFFITR
#TheGhostBoat
#whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor

You might considering doing 3/16 for the bottom if you haven't already if there are many stumps where you hunt. Out of curiosity what builder are you using? 4 weeks sounds like a hell of a turnaround this time of year.

As far as 15 or 16 either will work. The 16 foot will just work a little better. More length = better weight distribution. The more you can offset a heavy mud motor plus your weight driving it the better. But you have to look at where you're storing it to see what length you can go with. You can spend very little money to get some netting or grass to cover your motor if need be. If you current blind is exactly 15' you're going to have to do it anyways...another 12 inches of blind material for the extra length on the boat is well worth it IMO.

As far as storage....one thing to consider if you haven't is where are you going to put your safety equipment. Life jackets, fire extinguisher, rope, stern light...spare part or two....are you just going to throw all that stuff in the bottom of the boat then take it back out and put a bunch of muddy wet crap in your car so it doesn't blow out on the highway after every hunt? If you have no front deck have you considered where you're going to mount a light?

I will have a 4' front deck with will be foe storage and where the fuel tank and battery will be mounted.

Oh cool...misunderstood what you mean by open boxes with no storage.

Thanks for your thoughts. Only concern I have it weight of the boat and speed. Want to at least break 20 mph.

Make sure the builder you go with knows how to build a mud boat and is not just a random boat builder. Mud boats are built differently to withstand the harsh conditions they go through. Like exbellicus said, 4 weeks is a crazy turn around for a good builder, even in the slow season.

20 is gonna be a tough goal to meet with hunt load and a stock 25hp motor IMO. But I have a prodrive, so I don't know what speed is....

I had a 23 GDSD on a 1546 Tin can and another on a GDSD boat. The GDSD boat performed way better. Rene Gros Aluminum boats can build you a solid 1544 for a real good price

Thanks for the comments, info and advice.
What do you consider a "hunt load"?

My average load to the blind consist of 2-3 hunters, with guns, shell bags and mojo.

The reviews I have read for a gatortail 25 with a 16' show about a 23-27 mph with 2-3 people. Why do you say it will be tough to break 20?

Because mud motor speeds are like fishing stories.

Thanks fellas. Do you think the extra 40 lbs is with the big block 25 EFI versus the small block 25 EFI.

Typo* is worth the big block......

If you plan on getting creative with the engine one day, yes. If you will always leave it with 25 hp, probably not worth the extra 40.

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#TheGhostBoat
#whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor