I don't have any experience with long tails and have always said I'd buy a surface drive but due to budget looking at a build your own kit from swamp runner and using a 22hp engine on it. Any input on this kit or other kits is greatly appreciated.

Forget about the kits... All you're going to accomplish is spending money then buying another setup next year... Theres a reason why the kits are cheap, and theres not many good ones... All I would say is research how many guys on here will steer you away from the kits, then compare it to the number of people who would put something like this against a standard american longtail... There is no comparison...

Maybe I'll just buy some plans and fab my own for now then due to finances unless I can find the right deal not many guys run long tails around me tho so the travel or shipping expenses would be rough

Heard that, that's how I got into it is by fabing up my own... If ya need some help there's a wealth of info on this site, just use the search, feel free to also shoot me a PM if you run into an issue...

Oh, nevermind I didn't see that you were thinkin in the 23 hp range.

For sure swamp donkey thanks for the input. And yeah 6.5 isn't gonna cut it I'm running a 1448 polar kraft extra wide extra deep it's pretty good size and we've had as much as 4 people and 10+ dekes in it and we run the river a lot so I wanna be in the 20mph range at least. I'm getting 19-23 now loaded with a 25 outboard. But I can pick up a 22 hp predator engine for $600 brand new with a warranty so that's what I wanna build around .

*10+dozen dekes

hey just another idea Ive owned a homebuilt American longtail and a factory Godevil. As of recent ive found myself low on funds and since im a commercial fisherman need my boats to go NOW!!!! I purchased a longtail kit from Mudskipper.com and I did my research. it all depends on what you need. I have a 1436 polarcraft 166 lbs the 6.5 hp bone stock preadator 212 and I run 16 mph alone no gear im 250lbs. I run 10 with myself and 300 lbs( bait tank, ice cooler, bait cooler,2 nets). Im in Freeport Texas so not a lot of stumps and downed timber but a lot of oyster beds and im yet to do anything to my prop other than a few dings which a couple of strokes from a file cant fix. I hunt hogs on two properties I must use this boat alot of sloughs and grass flats, no problems. best of all I have only $450 in the whole thing. its a champ and will throw mud sky high. The people at Mudskipper are great to deal with. I was quite impressed with the whole setup and the strength is better than I was led to believe by all the post. For my particular situation this was a had to but now im glad I did. well that's my 2 cents for what its worth and please please understand I mean no harm or ill will to American longtail motors loveem and will own another along with my everyday Thai. Longtail oh I like surface drive too but Longtails are way cooler... God Bless yall and have fun!

Thanks for the input I'll check them out for sure I might go with an 18hp for weight and just mod it to squeeze out more power

I was in the same boat as you looking at the cheaper kits. What I found was the homebuilt ones on craigslist that were for sale everyone was honest; They simply didn't meet their needs and they upgraded. Heck I even found that with true Go-devil sales upgrading to SD.

In the end I went with a 25HP Go-Devil, 1542 boat and trailer for a song. It is a 97 model which is the older design and needs seals soon, but grease is cheap and easy.

I can hit 19 mph with a small load. Next year I may upgrade to 35hp. 25 mph would be awesome.

I've found the LT to be a breeze to drive. I had heard many complaints about being worn out. The only issue I've found where it is difficult is in super tight turns. The motor wants to keep going (turning) and you need to really hold on.

I've really wanted a BWH20 after seeing all the videos and all the props. I can't imagine the BWH20 to be much smoother running than my Go-Devil, but than again I've not driven one.

To me the customer support at Go-Devil was top notch. All my questions were answered and they were very helpful. I didn't find the same at MudBuddy when I was looking at used MB motor before I got this package deal.

One thing is for sure, it is so much fun driving the boat now knowing I can go almost anywhere. It really brings a smile to my face!

Hate to burst your bubble bro but there is no way you are going to get the speeds you want with that load.

What can I expect to see for speed then or what kinda hp am I looking at to be pushing the 20mph mark

Also the 10+ dozen dekes is a rare occasion that was just an example of the loads it will handle at some points Average load will prolly be 3 people 4 dozen. Dekes and gear that's it. The rest of the time it will be either myself and 1 other person or it will be 4 people and gear only running the less than 1 minute ride to my blind

I would think with a load it is going to be hard for that boat to get on step. I am not sure on the speeds you will get. I would guess 18. With just you in the boat probably 22. Also you mentioned your boat is extra tall so it sounds like you have a tall transom. That means you will have to build a longshaft longtail.

I've got a short transom 15" just tall sides and my boat gets on plane pretty easy the 25 I have now with just me in it practically stands the boat up on end

Outboards go a lot faster and haul a load a lot better than mud motors. With that load in your boat you will not be on step. Plowing ahead at less than 10 mph would be my guess. Just you in the boat you might hit 18 but once you start adding weight it's gonna fall off fast.