Just got my first mud motor and I am wondering if the stock fuel pump will pump gas from the front of a 16 ft boat?
I am trying to balance some weight out as I am setting this up so any advice would be appreciated.
The motor is a stock 23 hp Mud Buddy and soon to get the Mikuni upgrade and oters as I can afford them.

Thanks, 1duckcrazy

Yep - get battery and tank up there - use SO cable fer battery and I like to use two bulbs one at tank and one at motor with a good clear in line fuel filter/water seperator somewhere like 3 inces below where line goes into motor....

Second bulb at motor end is not necessary but serves as a spare if ya need it in the field....

Makes a huge impact on boat balance an leaves room fer important stuff like an ice chest at the rear....

Great I thank you for the advice, I am trying to get this in the river this weekend and try it out, now I can move forward and just do it once.
Is a 6 gallon tank big enough or do I need to look for a bigger tank?

Thanks, 1duckcrazy

I use a three gallon for half day runs and hunts - 6 will last forever in my boat - I burn under a gallon an hour on plane - average 8 mpg or better with my 23 LT and also 27 SD boats...

Often carry a 2 gallon Oh Chit / spare which I trade fer beer more often than use....

But put all that as far forward as you possibly can... Just rivet or screw a piece of "L" chanel to the floor so it stays put... Drill a few holes to use as bungie hook points and yer done....

i got a six gallon tank on mine and i can run for like 5 hours on a half tank of gas . those lawnmower motors dont drink up any gass.

i put a e-fuel pump on mine in the front of my 18'. i use a 18 gal. low profile tank too. I go all weekend running it hard and still have some left over. wouldn't do it any other way. jmo

You don't need an electric fuel pump on these motors, the stock fuel pump will pull from the front. They operate at low PSI (1-2) so any leaks will cause you performance issues. I run my line from tank to fuel filter 20' run. I have a primer bulb in the boat in case I need it but don't require it for normal operation. Two bulbs is over kill IMO.

On the other hand if you carry big loads for long distances you might consider my arrangement. I have a 35 GDSD on a 24 X 48 Alweld. I have two tie downs up fwd for 12 gallon tanks and one mid ship for a 28 gallon tank. If I need more for a trip I throw in five gallon cans until I have enough. I run through a water separator/ fuel filter and an electric pump. The pump is strictly for backup when I'm a long ways out and only have had to turn it on to prime the system in the spring. The pumps on the big Kohlers and 31/35 Briggs are mechanical and will suck a golf ball through a straw. Some of the pulse type on the smaller Briggs had problems pulling fuel a long distance, but it didn't happen often and could have been due to air leaks. My first long trip after the water gets soft, up here, is 400 river miles, round trip. I can do that with about 60 gallons if I don't take any side trips, but I like to explore so I'll pack about 85 gallons. I look forward to the new Briggs with the electronic spark advance in the coils. It should improve mileage. I think I'll go break some ice and see if I can get the boat in the water.

stock fuel pumps can pump from a tank in da front, mines in da front of my 20' skiff.... 25' ft. of 1/4" fuel line.

2 primer bulbs is not a bad idea....... except put da second one in storage somewhere in case ur first one goes out. 2 primer bulbs on ur fuel line at 1 time is pure ignorance.... not only is it never needed, but it creates 2 more connections in ur fuel line dat could possibly leak air into da system.

Good luck.