Looking to get a new motor before too long. I currently have a 23GDSD. Ive done without reverse so far, so I dont feel like I HAVE to have it, but do see the advantages.

Best I can tell the advantages are

GO-Devil:
Even I havent been able to break mine
Like the free floating so I can work it like a LT
Simple, nothing to break besides the belt
Live about 5 miles from Coco
Personal aquaintance and good friends with a good friend of mine
Cost

Gator Taill
Reverse would be nice when frogging
Hydraulic trim is nice
NEUTRAL



I know the GTR is fast (at least compared to my 23) Is the GDSD as fast? Anything Im forgetting? I talked to Lance (I think it was him at least) a few weeks ago, and intend on demoing both, just gotta find the time. Would like to demo them both back to back to get a good comparison

Towards the end of the second split my motor developed a severe oil leak and I had to use a friends GDSD and I was glad to have it available but I have been spoiled by my GTR.Speeds aside to me the GTR is just an easier motor to run,not having to jack with the trim knob everytime the water depth went from mud to average.I had to leave the handle pinned because of the mud and when it would hit something that mofo would fly out of my hand and hit me or the dog everytime.When I would un pin the handle and hit something it would cause the drive end to pop out of the water/mud and dance on the surface while the boat was sliding foward until I got the prop back down.Picking up decoys by myself was a pain in my ass,this is when neutral is well worth it.Reverse is a nice option to have I like it and would not do with out it now,but if you do not need it don't get it.As far as problems I have broken a belt,but the engine itself has had more issues.Running through lilles the gator tail has better performance than the GD, I believe this has to do with the floating motor.
Alot of this has to do with me not being used to running the GDSD and my friends boat set up but just flat out running long distance I like my GTR for ease of operation.Either way you cannot go wrong as long as it gets you where you are going its all good.

When I hit something it just kicks the motor up and it makes a loud noise if you let it slam back down but it never really jumps out of my hand,not to say it will not happen it just doesn't happen as often.I looked at my buddys GDSD and it looked like it trimmed down a good bit to its just further back ferom the transom.

I have reverse and just the time and aggrevation your going to save yourself, believe me the GTR is the way to go. GT customer service its top notch to boot from what I hear. As for as Power Trim lets just say I don't plan on ever going back manual. Yes GD is a solid unit and has less things to go wrong but you gotta give a little to get a little!

I have a GDSD and like it just fine. That being said, my next one will have reverse, neutral and power trim.