If you have shallow water, hard bottom, little mud, relatively short runs, and don't require speed, the longtail shines. I know many that had conventional outboards and bought mud motors both shortails and longtails, and went back to their outboards because they ran fairly clean water, little mud, and the outboard sufficed. I have had three Kohlers, two 25's and now a 27 HP. All have been very reliable. I do agree they are a bit cold weather finicky to start but not a problem. I have my 27 on a 1648 grizzly hull, not ideal but a workingman's rig- 19.7 mph by myselfr; 17.5 two hunters and gear-gets the job done. I believe most of those BT boats were .100 gauge which is enough (like my grizzly) unless you run stump fields, cypress knee bayous, and beaver dams, or just like to abuse your boat.
The longtail requires more exertion than the shortail; greater turning circle, more difficult to operate in big water, chop, current, etc. but in protected marshes is right at home. Even though I own one, if where you run is not like I described, get a shortail