Looking into getting a new gator trax either 1750 or 1754 with mud motor which is best suited all around mud shallow and deep water and will haul 4 guys and gear no problem I will be fishing and hunting from the both probably fishing lakes and running small rivers 85% of time

I have a Gtrax 1754 with a stock GTR35. It does find with a 3 man hunting load, but I'm guessing that the fourth guy would really bog it down--I've never had more than three guys in it. I would think you'd need a modified motor. All these motors (Gator Tail, Pro-Drive, Mud Buddy, Beavertail, etc.) use the exact same Briggs motors and can all be modified to get additional HP.

If you want reverse that operates instantly, then GTR is the motor for you. If you want "full power reverse" (i.e. lower turns 180 degrees) the Pro drive. If you don't care about reverse, then Gator Tail, or MB.

Thanks for the pointer mngunner have you had any problems with your gtr and how fast you reckon it moves along with that load

Four guys and gear get atleast a 54 wide and 18 to 19 ft boat, couple mods on the motor and you would be good. As for four guys in a 1754 with hunting gear, might not plain out especially with a stock motor

The mud buddy 55hd keeps grabbing my attention yea might regret no reverse but think it will push a 1754 nicely

Yessir that would make it 18' now on to the next ?? Is full floatation hunt deck gonna help me get thru some muck or would I be ok to get the fuel take mounted into it and go no flotation I'm totally new to the back water just trying to learn as I go and appreciate all yalls opinions and pointers wasn't sure if the floatation would help or not

Flotation foam actually hinders performance....





Until the boat starts sinking.




The hunt deck is up to you. Remember, that mud buddy 55 is a modded 35 Hp Briggs engine. The gatortail and the prodrive both have the same Briggs engine, both can have the same mods done to them, BUT will have reverse AND a customer service department that doesn't hide under the desk when the phone rings.

EDIT: Also, despite Gator Trax being so drunk on their own round-chine kool aid, square chine boats carry more of a load and will draft shallower.

Reverse would be a plus but is it cheaper to mod as I go or just eat it and buy one already done want mud motor but the mud buddy/gtr battle scares me can't get a straight answer always a negative to one or other

Another crap deal for me is I live in southern il to my knwlede there is no where for me to go close to look at let alone test drive so I'm at yalls mercy lol

The straight deal here is that most people will be against mud buddy because of their poor customer service. The consensus is that between pro drive and gator tail you can't lose (there's a lot of banter back and forth about which one's better, don't confuse them as saying that one's not worth having).

My personal perspective is get you a gator tail or a pro drive, stock. And if that's insufficient for you then start modding. The heads have to have a minimum of 50 hrs on them to be worked anyways.

Brstanle you make a good point and that's prob best route to go am afraid I won't like the stock power and well wifes gonna hang me up for several yrs as is so doubt I'll be modding if I dont get one already hopped any idea how many hrs you can get on a fully modded motor if you take a+ care of it and no act of Gods?

I have a 19x48 that carry a load amazingly.

your moms house

Thanks never thought of that much appreciated

Get a GTR modded (cam, exhaust, carb, SS pushrods, heads). Go all out.

Put it on a 1754 and roll.

The 50 from gator trax runs better with the stock motor. I'm currently having a 1850 non hunt deck built as we speak. I'm running a stock 35 gtr. I do not recommend the hunt deck. The handle on the GTR is short. You will find yourself hanging over making hard slow turns. On the round chine it's up to you. These boys have been running air boats for years in the swamp. They have made their own hulls. The round chine does run a bit deeper than a square chine. If you are running a narrow river you will want the turn ability of the round chine. Square chine will slide, but you get used to what ever you have. I drove a buddy's square chine and had it slide on me. I quickly shut the motor down and told him to drive. I love the way the gator trax turns, but everyone likes different things.

I like in Iuka small town between i70 and i64

I'd get a 1854 without huntdeck for hunting 4 guys. I agree you'll want motor upgrades - (carb, exhaust, and heads) when carrying that much weight. Given you are fairly close to Phowler, I'd definitely consider one of their boats.

What's you're saying is correct....if they started the radius inside the 48" bottom measurement. But they don't. The radius doesn't start until past the bottom width measurement.

I was unaware of that. Jeez how wide does that make it just above the chine on a 48" boat?

I've measured my 1750 before, but I don't remember exactly what it was. I'll measure it again tonight.

I just measured my 1754 and the flat part is about 52.5". above the chine it's over 61"