I have a Monark 1440 semi-V. The boat has 20" sides and a 16" transom (at center).
I'm ready to buy a motor. From the beginning I have planned on a 16 or 18 hp longtail. However I just discovered the Mud Buddy mini HD lite 18 hp surface drive. They market this as a lightweight SD class and it only weighs 165 lbs. (the LT I'm considering is 175 lbs)

I would prefer this motor to a LT (for speed and handling reasons) but only if my boat can handle it. I called Mud Buddy and the guy on the phone kinda acted like he thought it was too much motor for my boat, (even though he didn't come out and say it). He recommended a 12hp longtail?

This is my first mud boat build and I'm green. This website has been a great resource along the way. Now, for the most important purchase.....

What motor should I get?? Will my boat handle this 18 SD?

Bein the greedy basturd that I am, I'd get the 23 mini lite and beef up the transom and bracing. What's the difference in 165lbs and 175lbs? For 10lbs more you get the better motor. Plus you can prolly pick one up on here cheaper.

copperhead.

78 views and only 2 opinions?

I would most likely go with a 23 surface drive!!GatorTail also has a 23!

Anybody else?

I would think the boat would handle the 18 fine. The 23 may be a lil heavy on the ass end. Whatever you do, your gonna want to beef up the transom. It will be the first thing to go when you drop a mud motor on a boat built for a small outboard. They just can't handle all the torque.

Yeah, I wasn't sayin it wouldn't work for sure. I would think that the 23hp motor alone would outweigh a 25 outboard. But I've never checked. I still think you need to reinforce the transom even on the 18.

I know we put a 24 longtail on a 1442 and it nearly sunk it. It had a 25 outboard on it when we bought it and it floated that fine. I didn't think there was that much diff in weight between the 23 and 24 and assumed the sd was heavier than the lt.

Just my .02. If you can't test the motors first to see if your boat will float, I would go a lil small rather than a lil big. Good Luck

Here is another thread very similar to the one discussed here. Check it out. I'll try to find a pic of that 1442 with a 24 on it just to show you what I'm talkin about.

All I'm sayin is for whatever reason some 14 footers will float a bigger motor fine, but some won't. Either way, that transom was not built to take the abuse a mm will give it.


viewtopic.php?f=3&t=7561

Cb, i definately agree with you on the transom issue. Any mass produced jon boat will need some bracing. And I could very well be wrong, but I'd give it a shot with the Mini Lite. There's a guy down here with a 14/42 DuraCrap runnin a 23 LA Special MB. If he can run it, I think the Mini would do good. Either way you choose, beef up that tranny and go get er dirty.

Yeah, I'd just hate to give it a shot if you have to pay for it first. If you can try it first without paying for it, go for it! If you gotta pay for it, man I'd be a lil scared. But, to each their own.

Lucky for us we sold the 1442 back to the guy we bought it from for a hundred bucks less than we originally paid. Bought the legendcraft the motor was originally on. Now have sold the lt and replaced with a 32pd. Now lookin to replace the hull. LOL. As I catch myself saying time and time again, enough is never enough.

Look put some pods on the back to keep the a** end afloat and slap a 36 PD with a stage 3 EVT kit and you would have the baddest rig alive . You would also have the most dangerous and scariest rig but hey I'd do it, but then again that me. Plus you'd go FAST FAST and probably be able to go threw anything.

Just a Bootzz thought for ya lol.