Hey folks,
I have been a long time lurker, and have been running one of the old school kirts mud boats for ever.. one is an 84'.
It is getting old trying to keep it running and packing gland leaks..

I decided I want to try a surface drive.
There are so many now, here are my thoughts..
I am looking at a 52 inch or wider boat, 17 ft or longer I think..
Since I run hard bottom swamps, I think I want 3/16 bottom ,
since I am a bigger guy, looking at 35 hp or more..
One overwhelming thing I need is dead nuts reliability.. Where I hunt, there is Zero cell coverage, and its VERY remote. So, not many performance mods are going to be considered, perhaps a carb and exhaust kit.
I also need an auto type reverse, whether it be electric, or auto hydraulic power.
I am not beholden to any manufacturer, but would prefer some advice to what is available for me..
What makers have the reverse now, I cant even keep up..

As for "instant" reverse . Gatortail and boss are your two options at the moment.. Soon there will be reverse on the mudbuddy hd frame. Sounds like your pretty dead set on a surface drive, but everything you describe (less the need for reverse) points straight towards a longtail being your best option.

the instant is not actually a deal break, here is my concern.. I am not the most surefooted guy.. in winter, all my gear on, I may fall out if trying to rachet a reverse..
The long tail is out, only due to them needing a SKINNY boat.. * go back to not the most surefooted..

Stualaska - posts a bit here and has the same need for reliability - he runs a GDSD....

You likely need an 1860 or bigger hull to run over hard bottoms - the extra length helps
balance the weight of you and that heavy MM - the width will help with draft....

Drop ole STU a PM and swap a few ideas....

Good read --- viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54594&p=741780&hilit=new+rig#p741780

This brings up something I cannot picture..
So, the bottom skeg that would hang up, which manufactures run what designs?

I am googling pictures and trying to get all the designs so I can picture it..

Thanks again for the advice folks.

So, I have been running the ol kurts mudboat for years.. It is just extremely loud, constant exhaust leaks due to rust, lose alot of room due to design, even in a giant one like I have.. they are decent at getting be back to the nasty areas and the reverse is totally necessary, I have used NON reverse models I about killed myself in back and forth and back and forth in lillies every other year it seems..
I am ready to get something pretty soon, I have some gator tags again this year and can use the boat.. I am pretty much done trying to keep the subaru 1.7 alive..

Where are you located? Maybe ask to see if anyone local would mind taking you out in there rig. Most guys won't mind as long as you pay for gas/beer.


Sent using my 2 fat thumbs and modern technology.

What is there to fix on the skeg??? It protects your prop from a hard bottom, or stumps, etc. what is the "fix" remove it or cut some off?

Yea I'm not sure what he thought I meant. I wasn't saying that they were breaking/bending skegs, I just
meant they got hung up more often than the other two I mentioned.

My comments where for Banded. Does he just run without the protection of a skeg? Or trim it down a little.

I run a custom skeg from bayouboy. Banded probably does too or cut one himself. Different angle. Does better in hard bottom and vegetation.

Yep. It a sket from Preston. Now the issues between ld and mb o, gd,or gtr is the drive angle. But the modded sket is night and day from stock. And I hunt mostly hard bottom.

Thank you everyone for the input.. I think I am sold on gator tail, the newer efi.. Now, with that said, and it decided I want a wider bottom on the boat.. Should I look at other hulls besides gator tail? I can get an express B18 for 300 more than the 17x54 GT right now ..

What are some goto options..

Gun box,
rod box
oh shit bar is standard.
I had a salt water trol motor included.

You'll get more for your money going custom, that and it will be exactly what's best for you. Gt makes a good boat but won't do 3/16. Go 54 or wider from what you have stated, 18 ft at least, imo. I'd have a 18 of it fit in garage. Seeing your far away you'll just have to decide what's best for you. Also Mud Buddy has the HDR coming out, great for shallow hard bottoms. Pm me for info.

I know a few old school mudboat guys. Chances are, especially if your mudboat had a subaru or bigger engine, you will never be satisfied with a surface drive. If u had a mudboat with a lawnmower engine then u might be ok.
just telling u what ive seen. all the old school mudboat cats i know that switched, either switched back or is unhappy.
Vortec v6 is hard to beat.

MB does have a smoother drive then others. if you can drive the motors before hand.

also the great thing i love about the new HDR besides the obvious is the SS outdrive and the skeg is detachable from the outdrive.

I have two actually. One is a cypress framed wooden that is glassed in. it is being resealed but it has a subaru with transmission and turning 10x12 with about 100 hp ea81.. the all 3/16 metal one is running same but with only about 55 hp and 10x10 wheel.. its just pretty hard to keep them running at this point, even with electronic ignitions and such.. So, I am looking at your real surface drives.. ridden in a few, I definitely want, a wide hull.

Looked yesterday at GT hulls, excel and express.. liked the layouts , but with that weight of everything they go back to a x51 wide and I bet they are HEAVY.. went back to the GT hulls.. and the common 17x54... now its talking to bank to see where we stand..