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411sponge
MMT Member
Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 8:37 am Posts: 14
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Hello all
First time poster here and I wanted to get everyone's opinion on the different mud motor/boat combos that are available today. I live in Central Florida and I want to get a MM/boat to strictly fish in the shallow lakes and rivers that are close by. Typically, I will have one other person in the boat with me and we would like to be able to stand to pitch and flip pads so the stability of the boat would probably be the most important aspect that I am looking for. Speed isn't that much of an issue for me. However, I am thinking that we might be making longer runs (>1 hour) every once in a while so I was thinking about getting console steering as well but wanted to get everyone's opinion on that.
I have the manufactures narrowed down to 2 (Go Devil and Gator Tail). This is strictly due to the fact the dealerships are somewhat close by.
So, what do you guys think? What brand, size of boat and motor should I get? Thanks in advance!
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Wed May 16, 2018 10:01 am |
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Bigbend
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Sat Dec 11, 2010 6:25 am Posts: 493 Location: SWGA
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Re: Hello all
If console steering is a must you’ll be going with gatortail. 1860 gets my vote. Lamarr Cox carries MB, GT and boss and is in Melbourne FYI.
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Wed May 16, 2018 10:47 am |
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411sponge
MMT Member
Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 8:37 am Posts: 14
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Re: Hello all
Thank you for the reply! Is there any big advantages/disadvantages having a console?
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Thu May 17, 2018 5:42 am |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
For fishing, the console is better IMO. It's more comfortable and doesn't beat you up as much. The tiller is better for hunting, especially duck hunting, because I find it easier to pick up and put out decoys, scout, etc, again, IMO. If fishing is what you plan on doing, go console, go wide with the hull, and get you a little worked 3 blade and you are good to go. If fishing was what I had gotten my boat for, i would have definitely gone with a console.
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Thu May 17, 2018 6:01 am |
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Exbellicus
MMT Pro Member
Joined: Sat Oct 15, 2016 4:59 pm Posts: 126
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Re: Hello all
You might also consider a side console if the center is going to take up too much of your floorspace/walkways.
_________________ 2016 Prodrive X 1848 37efi
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Thu May 17, 2018 9:37 am |
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411sponge
MMT Member
Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 8:37 am Posts: 14
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Re: Hello all
Thanks guys! I know the console is more expensive but I think it will be worth it in the long run. Do you guys recommend any "must have" accessories for mud boats in general?
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Thu May 17, 2018 10:56 am |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
I would make sure you have a 2 blade prop and a 3 blade so that you have one for fishing and one for winter hunting or fishing the shallows. I also think that gatorglide is a must now that I have a boat with it. Makes going through vegetation effortless. It's the next best thing to a winch. Exhaust is always fun to upgrade too, if you like the sound (I do). But none of those things are musts, they are just nice to have i find.
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Thu May 17, 2018 12:37 pm |
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bluesky2012
MMT F.E.
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:19 am Posts: 981
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Re: Hello all
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Thu May 17, 2018 6:08 pm |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
Maybe I'm partial to the loud exhaust because I've had race cars all my life, but I love mine and have never gotten tired of it. To each his own.
I've been running mud boats in south Louisiana for 15 Years and never had a need for a winch, but again, to each his own.
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Thu May 17, 2018 6:26 pm |
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DmaxHunter
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:21 pm Posts: 2207 Location: North Alabama
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Re: Hello all
OP get a winch or at least a come-a-long and a toe strap.
!!!!We all try to be responsible, but at some point you'll decide to get a little too Baja with your mudmotor.!!!!!!!
Blue sky
Aint that the truth, don't you have those pics on your iphone?
On a side note I run a unbaffled mac. It's very loud, but due to the way muddy buddy's trailer, I won't risk something coming loose and going into my motor.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
_________________ 2014 PRODIGY 1754 (#19) 2014 5500 BAMF HDR RETRO SOLD
2010 Gator Tail Gator Series 18x54 pushed by a 2020 40GTRXD
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Thu May 17, 2018 7:48 pm |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
A winch is good if you plan on getting reckless I suppose. Don't see where it could hurt you, I just personally haven't had a need for one.
Been running this voodoo for a while. No issues. Had it on a 37 before the 40 And never any problems.
Hope all the info helps you bud
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Thu May 17, 2018 8:47 pm |
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bluesky2012
MMT F.E.
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:19 am Posts: 981
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Re: Hello all
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Thu May 17, 2018 9:28 pm |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
I'm not familiar with this tale of legend, please tell lol
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Fri May 18, 2018 5:36 am |
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50fps
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Tue Jan 13, 2009 6:42 pm Posts: 2377 Location: West Coast Wisconsin
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Re: Hello all
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Fri May 18, 2018 7:06 am |
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4Cody4
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 11:21 am Posts: 2530 Location: Land of 10,000 Lakes
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Re: Hello all
F those voodoo exhausts. They are loud as hell. I have the Stainless Works and I think that is loud too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
_________________ "Two people in this world wear helmets, and that's dare devils and pussies." - Willie Braun
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Fri May 18, 2018 1:05 pm |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
Voodoo nation
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Fri May 18, 2018 6:04 pm |
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DmaxHunter
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:21 pm Posts: 2207 Location: North Alabama
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Re: Hello all
_________________ 2014 PRODIGY 1754 (#19) 2014 5500 BAMF HDR RETRO SOLD
2010 Gator Tail Gator Series 18x54 pushed by a 2020 40GTRXD
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Sat May 19, 2018 10:06 am |
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Russ
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 11:07 pm Posts: 4820 Location: West Monroe, LA
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Re: Hello all
Just cut a small piece of fuel line, cut a slit in it sp it fits around the switch. If you lose the clip and get in a bind, that'll make life easier....
#CFFITR #TheGhostBoat #whoneedsphysicsihaveamudmotor
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Sat May 19, 2018 10:50 am |
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DmaxHunter
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:21 pm Posts: 2207 Location: North Alabama
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Re: Hello all
_________________ 2014 PRODIGY 1754 (#19) 2014 5500 BAMF HDR RETRO SOLD
2010 Gator Tail Gator Series 18x54 pushed by a 2020 40GTRXD
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Sat May 19, 2018 12:51 pm |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
An excellent story bro, I appreciate you sharing it. We have had some pretty interesting mornings and afternoons before as well. Needless to say, I don't leave my house without a small tool box and an electrical kit in the boat, just in case we have issues.
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Sat May 19, 2018 1:07 pm |
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DmaxHunter
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Wed Jan 18, 2012 7:21 pm Posts: 2207 Location: North Alabama
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Re: Hello all
_________________ 2014 PRODIGY 1754 (#19) 2014 5500 BAMF HDR RETRO SOLD
2010 Gator Tail Gator Series 18x54 pushed by a 2020 40GTRXD
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Sat May 19, 2018 8:09 pm |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
Without going through it like you did, you wouldn't have a good story to tell. Sometimes that's all those miserable experiences are good for -stories at the camp around good smokes, cold beverages, and a game of cards. "Fishing stories" would be offly boring if the story doesn't include something going wrong, something blowing up, feeling like you are on naked and afraid even though you didn't sign up for the show, or having a boat fly off the trailer. These miseries add unmatched character to the stories of legend lol
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Sun May 20, 2018 12:34 am |
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411sponge
MMT Member
Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 8:37 am Posts: 14
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Re: Hello all
Thanks for all of the suggestions and stories! I love hearing what others have to say. I would have never thought about buying a wench but now I think I am going to especially after hearing what DMaxHunter went through. AND extra kill lanyards!!! LOL
Got a couple of questions....
What is the advantage of using a 2 blade vs a 3 blade prop?
I was looking at the Back Water Performance Systems, I know I know, I am getting the cart in front of the horse, but I was just curious if I purchased and installed one of those, will it void the warranty? Does anyone else have one installed? Are they worth the extra cash?
Speaking of warranty, do MM even come with warranty? LOL
Thanks again everyone! I really appreciate all of your stories and advice!!!
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Mon May 21, 2018 7:13 am |
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bluesky2012
MMT F.E.
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:19 am Posts: 981
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Hello all
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Mon May 21, 2018 10:22 am |
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411sponge
MMT Member
Joined: Wed May 16, 2018 8:37 am Posts: 14
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Re: Hello all
Hey Bluesky. That pic is crazy!! I cant imagine getting stuck out there with such cold weather. Glad you guys made it back safe! Sorry about the confusion but I was looking at a website that sells performance kits to give any mud motor more horse power. for example, their top of the the line "Mako 6 EFI Performance Package" supposedly produces up to 17 more hp than a standard motor.
Generally speaking, how many hours are you guys getting on your MM without any major issues? I know that's a very generic question but I wanted to get some idea one how many hours these things can run compared to a regular outboard motor.
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Tue May 22, 2018 6:48 am |
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CypressCritter
MMT F.E.
Joined: Tue Aug 26, 2014 10:36 am Posts: 822 Location: Jefferson TX
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Re: Hello all
IMO, get the GTR40XD.
_________________ SEAARK FX 2472 CC Merc 150HP 4Stroke(CypressCadillac) Uncle J Custom - 19x54 CC Skiff w/40XD GTR
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Tue May 22, 2018 7:31 am |
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bluesky2012
MMT F.E.
Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2014 8:19 am Posts: 981
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Re: Hello all
Agreed with the GTRXD40.
And as for hours, stock will typically get more hours, but these motors can take abuse. I don't know that many people really have a specific hour that their motor crapped out because usually it's not some catastrophic ending to a powerhead (though I did basically blow up my old one) but rather it's a little part replaced here and there. The good thing is they are glorified lawnmower engines, few parts are more than $250, so typically repairs are relatively cheap. The one thing all these engines do struggle with is valve leakage which isn't a big deal. Usually within 50-100 hours the valves require a 3-angle valve job to cut back the leakage and then they are pretty much good to go from there. FWIW I'm not any more concerned about my powerhead's reliability than I have been with an outboard.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
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Tue May 22, 2018 7:37 am |
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Wchauvin
MMT 1000 Club
Joined: Sat Sep 30, 2017 7:10 pm Posts: 1872
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Re: Hello all
I've been really happy with my 40XD. It's got good top end for a stock motor, it has a lot of low end torque, and the new XD handle design is really nice with the power trim by your thumb. Haven't heard of anyone with the new 40 prodrive, but I would imagine that it is a beast as well.
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Tue May 22, 2018 7:56 am |
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Leadshot
MMT Member
Joined: Thu Apr 05, 2018 8:22 pm Posts: 29
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Re: Hello all
Friends of mine spent the night in a Gator Tail rig on the Arkansas river in 20 degree weather. Mallards were landing on ice and skidding on it all around them at dusk. It was ice breaking weather. Kept warm by sleeping with the lab and covering themselves with fast grass. They had a small butane stove they'd fired up periodically to warm up. They'd gotten lost and darkness set upon them. No cell phone service. It was a story they will tell their kids and grandchildren when they have some. Since then we all pack what we call the "Arkansas Bag" which includes dry set of clothes, fire starting gear, and a small lightweight butane burner.
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Wed May 23, 2018 1:14 pm |
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