I've read a few places where people say when you run a long tail you need twice the horsepower to go the same speed as you would with a regular outboard, so a 20hp LT would push the boat like a 10HP outboard. I find that hard to believe.

What do you experts say?

Right now on my steel canoe I'm running a 9hp homemade diesel LT and also a 15hp Parsun two stroke outboard. The Parsun clearly blows the homemade 9hp diesel out of the water, even at half throttle. But my homemade LT probably isn't propped right.

I'm looking to buy a LT that is between 15-27hp. I'd like to go smaller and lighter so it's manageable and pull-startable, but if it would be underpowered then I'd stay with 25-27hp. I'd like to go as fast with a LT as my two stroke 15hp does.

Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Greg

What speed you getting with the 15?

25-27hp should move good with a 72in plus shaft.... 20mph not out of the question, unloaded..lmo

Not exactly twice the hp. I get nearly the same speeds with my 25 lt that I got with my 18hp evinrude, about 1-2 mph less, but my governor is set pretty low. You should get close to what you are looking for with a 25-27.

Thanks everybody! I appreciate it.

Greg

you have to remember your outboard is gear reduced while most long tails are not. this accounts for the speed difference. which boat it is on makes a huge difference aqs well.

as far as your choice of motor, power is usually the most important consideration for mud motors, given what they are used for.

if you're looking at buying new, check into the Mud Bu ddy 23 Super Long Tail. It will be the fastest 23 hp option.

Greg, I assume you're getting a bigger hull or boat to carry that 25/27 LT? If not, that "steel canoe" you have may not handle an LT or SD. I've known several duck hunters that bought mud motors, both LT's and SD's, only to realize that they could manage with their conventional outboards. They are cheaper, faster, though maintenance tends to run higher from my own personal experience. If you run fairly clean water, a conventional outboard is ok. That said, if you traverse mud, veggies, that are adverse to water-cooled conventional outboards, a mud motor is the ticket. I was told the newer 23 LT's and SD's do not have recoil start- you mentioned "pull-startable"- but I am sure you could find a good used Briggs 23 w/recoil start to give you that option. My other obvious suggestion is to go and test drive mud motors before you "take the plunge". No one mentioned the newer entry Copperhead SD's (up to 18 HP) that look like good matches for smaller hulls and skiffs. The markeplace has grown.