Gentlemen,

I've done the research, will demo each motor soon, compared the drive mechanisms and spoke to several people who have either/or motor. Please give input as to the performance of yours and the pros and cons of the whole package, ie: torque, maintenance, service, etc.

I have a 18/42 tunnel with 16" between top of transom and top of tunnel. It seems a short shaft of either motor would work. Please give input on this as well.

As hard as i've tried, I can't find many negatives with either motor other then the torque of the GT (solved by tab) and the reverse process with the PD.

Thanks.

First, the tunnel is not made for MM's.
Second, you can't go wrong with any of the two.
You will get your answers when you demo the motors.
Maintence is going to be about the same with both of the motors.
I can tell you that your decision is going to boil down to if you want instant reverse of the GT or the FPR of the PD.

like said, you'll find what's right for you when you do ur demos.

Do urself a big favor.... close dat tunnel up & go ahead & get a tall transom motor. Tunnels are for outboards.... if u decide to keep it you'll find out shortly that it only hurts ur MM's performance. Closin' da tunnel later on will be da easy part.... convertin' ur MM from a short transom model to a long transom model will be a little more difficult.

good luck!

I agree with Stumpgrinder on this one, you need to close up that tunnel it's gonna rob you of what the mm can really do. Also, go with the long shaft cause when you get tired of that boat and build a new one those short transoms take on a lot of veggies in reverse!!

Thanks...

A few more questions:

1. At wot, is the GT prop/shaft more on a horizontal plane then the PD?

2. How impressive is the PD reverse, be it manual or Hydaulic?

3. How do they compare speedwise?

4. Is there something special about these custom boats that are so prevalent? Do they have something that normal flatbottoms don't have?

I know most of these will be answered during the demos, but there's nothing like experience to help make a decision.

What stumpgrinder said.

I have had a tunnel mudboat and I can say that a tunnel will only be a hinderance...never a bonus with a mud motor.

I have also had experience converting a short transom PD to a long transom. Not the biggest task in the world, but not the smallest either (do you weld aluminum?). You would be best advised to close in your tunnel and get a high transom motor from the get go.

And by the way I love the FPR on my Prodrive motor.

The PD FPR is a truly different feature that sets that motor apart. Its not designed for dinking around the dock or backing off a trailer. Its for truly running the rig backward- raising the rear of the boat to do things the others can't.

As was noted above- faster is relative and there are many variables. Even new Briggs engines side by side out of the crate will have differences. Good advise to go demo, good luck with your purchase.

Thanks, Deadbird...

Please tell me some of the uses of the FPR. Beside the obvious, I would use it to dredge out a boat slip, clean out a slew. What else?

thx

I used FPR all the time to back my boat off the trailer. I love how some of these FE's act like it takes you minutes to go from forward to reverse on the PD. Do yourself a favor and go demo each motor you are interested in and take about 1/2 of the crap you read on here as the truth.

We hunt in Cameron Parish on Miami property where our marsh was turned over by Rita, therefore decreasing our water depth. We run tunnel hulls with 30's and 40 hp but it's just getting too shallow year after year, hence the need.

We'll probably fish in the marsh too once i get the motor. The PD FPR seems like what i might need for clearing out clogged slews, ditches, etc.

thx

i'll tell u man that full power reverse is nice. i have the gtr 35 and that reverse is even nicer. that lower unit on the PD is a hell of a task to crank around in the mud especially with layers of clothes on.

I think I read that all you have to do is push a button to put the PD in reverse

As stated earlier in the post. They both are awesome motors. Definitely look into a hull designed for a MM.

I prefer the GTR for my applications, but I have a friend that just bought a new PD with the hyd. reverse. Not as quick for reversing applications as my GTR, but a sweet azz design nonetheless. We went run in the marsh around Franklin, and had a lot of reversing opportunities presented to us. That hyd. option is strong, and did not miss a beat!!

You have to decide what you need it for. Test drive them both, then make up your mind

The FPR is way stronger, but not quite as convenient. I've found that GTR's reverse is strongest when trimmed about mid-way. I've been working out of this boat building blinds, and the reverse is awesome for maneuvering or adjusting the boat, you can throw your shove pole away. On the other hand, Radikkle's PD got unstuck where my reverse was useless.

My boat is running the exact same speed as Radikkle's boat, his is a 36 PD on an 1854 PD boat. Speed is secondary because they all run very close, I wouldn't let that influence your decision at all.


You cannot go wrong either way, they are both superior machines with very dependable, well thought out designs.

Yall do realize dis thread is a year old, right?

dumbasses.

How the hell.

Over a year old. But still like the statement he just made.

nothing beats a gator tail i own one and wouldnt trade it for nothing.. i have freinds with prodrive and they do great but me personally i love the instant reverse.. it doesnt reverse as much as prodrive but it is more than enough... ps gator tail is FASTER

This one makes me smile! Shows proof of how good that reverse is!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na5hoO_L7Tg

I am not one of those PD- GTR pissing match guys- They are both great motors. BUT- that was a modded GTR vs 2 stock PD's.... Not exactly apples to apples.....

Great video though, that looked like some nasty stuff and good times!

It would seem to me, a 50-60HP motor would have a much better chance to get out of that shiat, than a 36? No? I would think the low end torque would really help in that situation. Am I wrong?

but but but, the horsepower has nothing to do with the prop grabbing some thing of not. HP only comes in if the prop is pushing something!

l