ALRIGHT GUYS I AM NEW TO THE MMT AND TO MUD MOTORS PERIOD. I HAVE DECIDED THAT THE ONLY LOGICAL CHOICE FOR THE DUCK HUNTING I DO IS A MUD MOTOR. I AM EXTREMELY MECHANNICAL AND PLAN ON BUILDING ONE MYSELF. I AM CURRENTLY DEPLOYED TO AFGHANISTAN SO I HAVE UNTIL APRIL TO PLAN THE BUILD AND GET THE PARTS TOGETHER. I FOUND A 13HP MOTOR ON HARBOR FREIGHT AND TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT IS A HONDA CLONE SO CAN I BUY THE HOP UP KITS FOR A GX 390 AND THEY'LL WORK? ALSO SHOULD I BUY A FRAME OR JUST PONY UP AND BUILD ONE? DOES EXHAUST MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE? NOT TRYIN TO WIN ANY RACES BUT I RUN SOME OPEN WATER BEFORE I GET TO THE MARSH AND DONT LIKE BEING A SLUG MOVING ACROSS IT. THE MOTOR WILL BE PUSHING A TRACKER 1448 ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

if you plan on carrying more than 1-2 people you may want to consider more HP,

this is what i purchased, 16hp duromax, see link below...max tool has the best deal on it

http://www.maxtool.com/product/search.a ... EM=XP16HPE

most of the clones are made by a company called lipan just marketed under several different names, also there is www.carrollstream.net which actually looks more like the hondas

i built a 16hp and it does a good job for 2 people but if you are trying to haul more then i would go with 20-25hp, but that is just my opinion, i purchased the plans off of ebay, they are for a small 6 hp but i just needed the info on what and where to get the parts for the shaft, after that we built the frame the way we wanted to which was basically like a GD frame.
would be glad to give you some pointers when you get ready

16mph 1 person, 12 to 13 with 2, 9mph with 3, and a stunning 5 mph with 4 people in a 14 foot x 42 inch xpress, believe me that was a long ride.

also thank you for serving your country
brian

Unfortunately motors are priced by the HP. You're probably going to want more HP for that boat at some point. 13 HP motors are 2/3 the weight of twin cyl motors. It is weight as much as HP that determind what a transom and boat can cary. If you are really considering more HP as is indicated by your reference to a hop up option then you should consider that you can buy more HP off of the shelf than you can create with modifieing options with aftermarket Parts. Good luck with your build and have fun doing it. I'm sure it helps to have something to dream about while you wait to come home.

Mark Cheney

With that boat, id say go with at least a 20hp longtail, or a 23 surface drive.

GENTLEMEN
THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP I THINK I WILL LOOK INTO THE BIGGER MOTOR.. NOT SURE HOW TO MAKE A SURFACE DRIVE IM SURE ITS STRAIGHT FORWARD I HAVE JUST NEVER SEEN ONE UP CLOSE. IF ANY ONE COULD SHOOT ME SOME PICS OF THERE MOTORS I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT WITH ALL THE TIME I HAVE TO DREAM ABOUT IT I CAN FIGURE MORE AND MORE OUT LMAO THANKS AGAIN. MY E-MAIL IS ba_calf_co@yahoo.com

if i was building a SD id build it simple like a godevil SD, but with the shape of a mudbuddy. I prefer the long shaft surface drives, and the godevil SD's have no clutch. im talkin like this:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PJbRw_YlfY or this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUUcNIz8TVY

theres lots of plans and videos and articles on the web about people buildin these motors. look/search also on boatdesign.net forums

I'm in the process of doing the same thing. I have that exact motor from harbor freight. I found a website that deals in go karts. affordablegokarts.com. Talked with them and they said all the hop up parts for the hondas work on the harbor freight motor. They also said you could upwards of 30 hp out of that motor. But it'll take a ton of cash. Hope this helps. Be safe out there.

I'm getting started with my project too using the mad mud motor plans, and went with the 13 hp from Harbor Freight. Its going on a 14' semivee. I'm mostly interested in getting through shallow water in the river, rather than mud. And my runs are unlikely to be over a couple miles.

I have a few questions, all fairly random:

Is there any need to put shaft support bar down the length of the shaft with 13 hp motor? Or does attaching the supports ~1/3-1/2 way down the shaft (like on the GD 9hp) give enough support.

My understanding is that the aftermarket motor mods significantly shorten the life of the motor. Is that true? When I'm out hunting, I'll take reliable over fast anyday.

How the heck can you fit 4 guys and gear in a 14 ft boat? 2 1/2 people (2 adults, one 13 yr old) feels like a heck of a lot in my boat.

Is the type of prop to use very dependent on where I'll be using the motor? In other words, if I'm not planning on slogging through tons of mud, but will be using the motor more in a river that's 6" deep with a firm sandy bottom, is there a better choice of prop?

Thanks for you help.

Scott S.

i put the support (1 x 1/4 inch flatbar) down the length of the shaft, i know someone had a 9hp frame and a 16 hp vangard on it and it is slightly bent, it would add more strength and if you buy the flatbar in normal 20 foot lengths you will have plenty.

on the mods, not an expert but the average mods wouldnt hurt it but the more you do to it and the harder you run it im fairly sure it will not last as long.

4 people was a load but my boat only has the back seat and no front deck so it is wide open

and finally, the prop that would run on a 13 hp would be the same for mud or hard bottom, you probably would need an 8.75 x 4 or in that range, i would contact Mark at custom propeller in alexandria louisiana, if you google that company you can get his number. He is very knowledgeable in props and also can help you custom tune something.

ALL CAPS IS CONSIDERED YELLING
Just FYI you don't have to holler

alright so the LT build is going to turn into a surface drive short tail build going to make the frame and box aluminum with a stainless drive shaft. just a question to my understanding most props are for a 3/4 " shaft right?

How many hp do you plan to spin?

well the motor that i found is a 16 hp but i plan on putting a carb and header/exhaust on it the kart forum i was looking at said they are getting around 21 hp out of it with a mikumo carb and a header so i would say 21 hp