Got a 1648 no center seat Alumacraft and wondering which size motor to go with?
trips are 5 to 10 miles or so, but we do spend a fair amount of time scouting.
Load would be boat, motor, 6 gal gas, 70lbs lab, 500lbs of human (2 to 3 people) and the normal hunting gear that goes with people also few dozen deks
i guess thats alot of sh--. Anyways 3 local dealers all diffrent brands say eaither would be fine, but we all know what they seem to know. so was wondering what real life guys that use these things day in and day out are thinking is best 27hp kohler lt or 35hp briggs lt

thanks a mill

That is a lot of stuff, but we all do that. I would go with the 35hp, more is always better.
Sure, they will both get you there. But I like to make sure I have the power when I need it, plus 5 -10 miles is a long trip with a longtail. It won't be a big difference in speed, but every mph helps on long trips.
I have a 35hp myself, some say they are hard to handle. I have not found that to be the case at all.

why a long tail?

that is a lot of weight.. get a 35 in which ever motor you descide to go with.

Riveted boat or alum? My buddy has the 27 on the same boat that's riveted and its only rated for 30 (here in wi they like to give tickets for overpowered boats) its still newish only been out a few times but 27 moved 450lbs of people real well... Boat was otherwise empty.

A set of new decals from Briggs can solve that problem.

still cant decide but im going to order this week is the 35 briggs worth the extra money or go with the 27 kohler work horse

I think I'd go with the 35 if I was doing it myself. The 27 is a handfull but I don't see the 35 being too much more difficult to operate. It'll push a load a little better... the 27 empty boat (alumacraft 1648 w/center seat) and about 475 pounds of people we didn't gps but figured maybe just breaking 20 mph.

i will be ordering tonight or tomorrow and will decide at the last min. which size their are +s and -s to each motor but by fare have decided which company i will be ordering from and its not MB or GD and most definetly not beavertail after talking to all of them on the phone i will be keeping my bues. local within2 states

35

backwaterinc is supposed to be easy to drive, I doubt it is.

Hey woodie dont be a hater till you run one I can put my Backwater on step sitting on butt just holding the throttle lever. No fighting the tiller just let the motor do its job.

We'll see if you are still around in a few years when this guy needs parts...

I dont and wont worry about replacement parts. Bearings Bearing supply for bearings and seals any decent machine shop can make a shaft in about an hour props we all know how many choices there are for those. If I mash up the frame its time for a new motor simple as that even Mcmaster Car sells multitudes of bearings and seals that can be crossrefrenced, even get the shaft material from them if needed

i guess im not that worried about it id bet they will be around their were people that thought that way about the otheir mud motor companys as well and they are still around and 2 of them i dont know how with their shi--y customer service