I'm starting to look for my first dedicated mud motor boat... The biggest dilemma that I've come up with now is that I was set on a SD but now I'm second guessing that. I hunt mostly Horicon Marsh in WI where there are some longer runs where I know a SD will outperform. On the other hand everyt hing is a floating cattail bog and I am now wondering if the longtail may be better because of its ability to get through that crap. I may hunt the mississippi river occasionally as well, but not often. My initial thought on a setup was a 1856 or 2056 with a 36 prodrive but now I'm wondering if a 35 longtail might be the best option. This rig will double as a bowfishing rig as well. Thanks.

looks like you would be having the same problem as i am surface drive or longtail, 27 or 35

The only place a longtail is better is a shallow hard bottom, logs and stumps, and places where you cant get above idle in many places.

The balanced design of a longtail makes it ride up ontop of thick grass and vegitation and you have to pull up hard on the tiller to keep it under.

The Pro-Drive is very weighted back and the motor is easier to keep down in the thick stuff, coupled with speed and bowfishing, a sd would be my only choice.