I am in Fla and have been looking for a mud motor of some sort. I don't plan to run thick mud with it, more light grass and shallow water. I have a Grizzley 1548, I know it is not the ideal boat but like I said I don't plan to run major mud or anything really nasty with it. Heck most of the places I go I can get out an walk the bottom is solid enough.
Anyway I have been watching Craigslist and other local sources. I found a Bog Hog, with the 25hp Kohler, for what I think is a reasonable price, between 1,000 and 1,300. The seller claims it keep eating the bottom prop bushing. It appears to have VERY Little use, as the skeg has few scratches and looks to have just recently been bought. What tends to cause the bushing issues? He said he talked to someone who said the prop was bent, sounds reasonable but I would think that would cause a vibration more than the bushing, unless you ignored the vibration.
I really don't know I am new to air cooled outboards, for shallow water.
THank you for any info you can pass along.

Kevin

The only person I know that had a bog hogmsaid it was cheaply made.

Get a more common brand

Thank you guys. I knew I could count on getting a good honest answer. Thank you. My buddy went and looked at this one and they had the motor off the frame, which automaticlaly made me hesitant.
Time to keep lookin..

Kevin

Robin1020, as was stated, go with one of the established mud motor mfg.'s. I have had three GD's and in 2004 went with a MB 27 HP which I have on my 1648 Grizzly hull. The Kohler is a tried and true powerplant. Since we have mostly hard bottom and veggies here in Florida, the longtail is a viable motor- the shallower conditions the last couple of seasons have made it evident that a surface drive is no real advantage despite that they are quicker, turn better, trailer easier,etc. There are some good deals on used longtails and good prices on new motors compared to the surface drives. I have found the MB roller bearing system more efficient than the GD sleeve bearings- they use less grease and I found it overall a smoother ride, less friction. The only other changes I've made to my motor was to tweak the throttle and up the rpm's, and add steelflex to the bottom of the hull. Good luck in your search!

I've got a MB Mini 35 on my Grizzly 1548...it's been a great change from an outboard.

Glades Ranger, thank you for the reply, that is exactly the info I was looking for. I was thinking the LT would be a better choice down here for the most part, due to the hard bottom and constant changing water depth's. I am starting to think the MB 23 is probably the best choice for me. Speed is not a huge concern but we all know it is nice to get up and move when you need to.
I have no real experience with these mud motors if your ever headed out and want someone to go along I would gladly pay fuel or bring anything else your heart desires to get some first hand experience from someone in the know..
Now down to finding one that is fairly close and for sale..

Thank you everyone, great info provided.

i also have a grizzly 1548 and am in the market for a mud motor. are you worried about the amount of room a long tail takes to operate. i am always running short on space in my boat and have been thinking if a long tail will be too much of a hassle to operate vs an outboard. this is the only downside i can see to changing from an outboard.

Honestly I have not used my boat enough for space to be an issue. I am curious how I will work out a grab handle or a seat to opperate a LT, but I know I will come up with something. I dont plan to spend a ton of time in the boat. Most will either be duck hunting, or chasing hogs in the swamps. I doubt I will stay in teh boat a ton duck hunting. I bought the boat a year ago and have only been in it 2-3 times..

I have one thing to say. POS

yah the pos he was reffering to is just happends to belong to me..couldnt agree with him more though, its just not designed well. just take my advice go with go devil or mudbuddy. and deffinately a galvanized frame

HOnestly I like the idea of the SD, and the less space one would take up. However from what I have heard and talked to people around here a LT is the way to go. We have constant changing water levels and most of the areas I will be are hard bottom. Not alot of mud to deal with. Most of it is hard bottom and anywhere from 2-12 inches of water with very thin grass, to lots of weeds. It seems most people around here seem to prefer the LT's and have talked to a few that went with SD's that are looking to go back to TL's. I am still doing my homework though and hoping to go visit a shop that sells and makes both next week. Was going to go today but he is closed this weekend to do an airboat tour of some sort.
I do appreciate the feedback though, that is how we learn. PLease keep it coming. So far I have learned to avoid the Bog Hog, and that advice will be followed. I really think Mud Buddy is my first choice, but will have to see what shows up.