Test drive one and make your selection based on your needs and budget. Get the most horses you can afford and your hull can handle.
I've been running an LT since 1989 since we have shallow water, no mud, and hard bottom, with relatively short runs. With the savings on the LT you can get a good trolling motor to assist your fishing, or as was said, a small conventional outboard. LT repairs are generally significantly cheaper than SD's. A good friend bought an MB 35 Hyper five years ago because he wanted easier tiller control and more speed and he got both but he also got three major breakdowns and in the marsh he's got no real advantage over me. All marshes are not the same.
), are shortail users and promoters looking for a piece of the commission or a free camo hat. On that 2% marsh (higher number of course) the longtail is supreme. Look, I'll be sincere: If I could convince my wife, I would have had a shortail AND a longtail together for years. When I hunt the big lake, I would use the shortail. When I hunt the big sheltered marsh, the longtail would be my choice. I think it is revealing how many whiners there are about how difficult it is to drive a longtail. I'll bet they never drove a manual steering vehicle in their life without A/C either. I think mudfather made the right choice for where he hunts and fishes.