Right now I have a 14' tunnel jon boat. It works fine but is a basic boat that donesnt offer much room or stability at all. I bought a Honda 9hp longtail for it and want to keep that and get a new boat. I just see a lot about not putting longtails on certain boats and with only 9hp I wanna make sure I get it right.
Max would be 2 guys, dog, gear. Maybe I need to upgrade to a surface drive boat anyway but I thought i'd see if this can work first. I was looking at 14'-16' War Eagel, Alumacraft Waterfowler, Excel F4, etc.
I really like the Gator Trax GT and that may be the ticket, but I wanted to see if a longtail would work on those first? Also if there were any other options, maybe less expesive as well? Maybe I have to get a surface drive to get the boat I want but I thought i'd see if a longtail would work first.

You would need a bigger motor for a gator trax


Sent from my iPhone using

What kind of terrain you running?

That's too small of a motor for most of the boats you listed. You won't push a boat that offers a lot of stability with that motor.

Honestly it could change a lot. Ive got a lot of marshes around that get very mucky and my outboard cannot get through, lots of sticky mud and vegitation growing through the water. I also go through larger lakes to get to backwaters, or ive got the mississippi river to go through the main river and then hit backwaters.
I kinda need an all around, I dont want to spend an arm and a leg either and if i can save by using my current motor that would be ideal. I just want a good stable boat. Im not going in any mud flats or anything like some of yalls pictures are like, but I have a lot of spots that an outboard cant get through. Doesnt have to be flat bottom, but I think thats what I need to run a longtail, or surface drive if i upgrade.

I would stick with a 14 footer. How long of distances you gotta run? That motor on a 14 loaded would probably go around 10 mph. Have you looked at prices of those SD's. You can get a new boat and bigger LT for the price of one of those. With the low speed with that setup I would think you don't need to go high end. I would even say just get a $200 14 foot riveted boat and have at it. If the boat starts leaking after a couple years go and get another used riveted 14 footer.

yea i really wanted a 14'-15', but 16' isnt that much more pricey so I was considering it.
I can always sell my longtail that I have, but if I didnt have to go through selling it and getting a new motor thatd obvisouly be easier. But no issue, season is almost over and Ive got enough time. I think I was getting about 17mph on my current 14' ride with me and the dog only, which would be perfect. Most rides would be less than 30min, unless I hit big water like mississippi and then could be under an hour.

It all depends on how much water you got under the vegetation. If you are stuck stuck I don't think that motor will dig you out. If the boat always has water under it you will be fine.

Ill always have water underneath.
So can any of those Excel F4, Waterfowler, War Eagle work ?

I'm glad someone could help me understand easily. More power = more hookers! Done
Ha, seriously though that does help. I do have a cheap riveted boat and don't like it. Let's say I sell my 9hp, are those boats listed above capable of riding a long tail or should I look at surface drive only. And the only reason I say long tail is to cut a little cost, I haven't don't any surface drive searching yet so maybe I'm wrong cause if rather have surface drive.

Those boats are good for Lt's as long as they are true flat bottoms. If you run over any stumps where you are at a SD would tear them boats up due to the higher speeds. If you don't have any stumps you might want to look into a copperhead. They are sort of like a SD but the cost is less. You can search them on this site. I like my lt. It will get you place a SD won't

So how much do you all think is a fair price to sell a 2year old 9hp long tail? It's a Lifan motor (Honda replica gx270), mad motors design but the guy clearly over beefed it up, it is very strong and sturdy!
If I'm going to get a new boat I guess I outta start and sell the motor.

Depends on your location. If you are down south probably start at 800. If you are up north start at 1000. I think the way you are thinking is good. What I noticed with my new rig I do not dred picking up the decoys to go because I get to drive the boat. It will make it much more enjoyable for you.

Would a longtail work with a Tracker Grizzly 1448? It says semi-v, but I thought it was a v front and flat bottom ?
http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3503

Or my real question is there such thing as an open design, pointed front w/deck and flat bottom?? I hate bench seats but to keep costs down and get a stable boat I figure this may e the way to go. They all day mod-v but I know there has to be a flat bottom out there, or a very low pitch v?

If you are hunting with tall vegetation you will need a true flat bottom. It will sit shallower and run better. Also check allweld

So I've looked at a few boats lately and like the Alumacraft 1548MV design. It's very open, flat bottom and a deck for the dog. My question is whether or not you think my 9hp longtail will push two guys for a year while a save up for a surface drive? I'm only looking for 10mph on the longtail, I don't have long drives. I know the ribbed bottom may slow me down a little with a longtail but I like the design so I hope this could work ?

I think it will do 10. I would just worry about the speeds of an SD messing that hull up. You said you don't run any places with logs or stumps but I think with that rig you might be venturing to new territory

So your saying I would need a thicker hull? Or a different design?

Thicker/better quality welds. If you are hitting stumps at 30 mph with a SD you are going to want at least a 3/16 bottom. The biggest complaint of the larger manufacturers is cracked welds. How long of runs. Are they long enough to justify thousands more for a SD? Also did you look at copperheads yet?

Yea I'm looking at 20mph with two guys only, mid teens on a hunt load. I am never around stumps. My runs are 30minutes max.
Honestly no I can't justify a SD and a longtail would do just fine. I agree about welds and that's my main concern, I don't want to mess any welds up. A .700 hull would be fine sinse I'm nowhere near stumps but I want to make sure a .800+ hull will hold a longtail and not crack a transom or side weld