I plan to purchase a mudmotor before next season. I am going to be putting it on a
Weldbilt 16X48 and I am torn between a 23 longtail and a 27 surface drive. I have made the decision that I am going with the Go-Devil engine and I believe I have talked myself into the longtail as I don't necessarily make longruns a lot. I can afford the surface drive, but just wonder if I will be limited in shallow water say in a Cypress swamp with little knobs/knees sticking up being that the tail runs more parallel to the water surface vs. longtail????

I have a brother with a GD 35 and plan to test it out this summer to see how the handling is because I used to use a longtail.

I'm anxious to hear some others viewpoints as to pros/cons although I believe I have beat the decision like a dead horse.

i think they each have their place. i had a couple longtails and there were times when i thought the lt had the advantage due to having more reach and ability to get a bite. they are more work though. i just sold my lt because i do make long runs. once you drive a sd though the decision will probably easier. they are just more comforable to run along with being faster. the gd sd has a longer reach than most too though. (36")

Get a 35hp surface drive with some sort of trim on it. You'll go faster and still be able to do almost anything a longtail can do.

I run a 35 sd my boss runs a 23 lt we drive each others boats all the time. I'll tell you what I know! If I stop in water thats 5" deep or mud in the sd your better have some waders on cuz your pry pushing it. Even after you lock the floating handle in and dig a big hole. If you don't stop your fine. The long tail will get right out. but if you run the longtail in stumps call a chiropractor cuz you'll pry dis-locate your shoulder they turn alot wider and there slower. I'll also say we've never broke down on the lake.

Thanks for the replies....I am really taking my time about it and researching every angle before jumping too quick.

I have even considered going with the 35 longtail over the 23 to accomplish the longtail durability/less moving parts, but to meet in the middle on the speed that I would get out of the 27 surface drive. I know in a couple of years I would like to upgrade to a GD 16x44 boat and want a motor that would be enough for it as well.
In the past, I ran a 24 longtail on a GD18x44 but that was before you had so many options as with now the sd's!

If I didn't have to make any long runs, the LT is what I would choose. I love my PD, but there have been several times where I wished I had my old LT on the back of my boat. Hard bottoms and stumps are where the LT shines in my experience.

Go Devil makes a great product. Either one will get you home on time. The 27sd will be easy to drive. Long tail will be a bit tough but a good product also. Good luck!

Uncle J I must admit until u replied to my own thread I had never taken the time to check out your boats on your site....SHARP looking boats!

I will definitely get with you in the future when I can afford to step up to a mud hull!