I finally got my skinny water rig out for a test run this past weekend. I got a great deal on the layout boat/blind/trailer, but I knew the 9.5hp outboard would'nt cut it for hunting around here. I was on a very tight budget and could not touch a 6.5hp longtail for less than $1500. That led me to the eBay SPS kits... After a little research on the kit and seeing how easy the honda clone harbor freight motors were to mod, I was sold.

I picked up the Predator 212cc engine from Harbor Freight on sale for $79. I added the 2 yr replacement warranty for $20. I know it's a knock-off, but it's pretty well made. I was impressed.


I decided to do the basic stage 1 kart mods before I ever fired up the engine. I ordered parts from OMBWAREHOUSE and NR-Racing. I removed the governor, re-jetted the carb, installed GX140 emulsion tube, advanced timing 8deg, replaced flywheel with OEM GX200, installed 18lb valve springs, high flow air filter, and custom header/exhaust. I had zero experience modding small engines, but there is a ton of info out there on the karting sites and forums. Mods finished, ready for the mud motor kit.



The kit was shipped with a chrome tiller handle and chrome coupler housing. The transom and brackets were turquoise... I sand blasted, primed, and painted everything and installed everything on the boat without any major problems. I also added a small digital tach to help tune the engine/prop combo. My biggest gripe for now is the throttle set up. I'm working on a brake lever/squeeze throttle, i just need to get it all together.

This thing handles well, not a lot of tiller torque. The whole motor assembly weighs less than 70lbs, so it's perfect for a small boat. I hit just over 15.2mph at 4250rpm with just me. My buddy jumped in and we were cruising at 12.5mph without a problem. The kit came with a 6.5in prop, but I have 7in on the way to compare. Here are few pictures of the whole rig.









I found a little bit of mud, but no enough to really test it out yet. Hoping to do that in the next few days. I have high hopes for this season with this set up.. With the boat blind on I think it's going to lethal!

thats a good lookin rig! id like to see a 7000 on the back of that thing!LOL

Cool setup!

i am kinda new to this i was looking at this same kit for a while but i am worried that i am going to rip the bolts that hold the shaft to the motor out. and the angle of the engine. would it be worth it to but the kit and try to weld up a frame like a mud buddy long tail?

Those are some of the same concerns I had... I can't really say since I just put it all together, I guess time will tell how well it holds up. For now, it seems to be perfect for what I intend to do with it. It's not going to be pushing very fast so I'm not too worried about it just falling apart. The engine is very capable. Go kart guys run these things hard all the time.

The welds on the coupling housing look good. I don't think welding braces on is necessary. I think the weight would hurt you more than it would help. I'm not running through rocks, just mud. Again, I haven't really tested it much yet, but I'm pretty cconfident it will work for it's intended use, which is running around in skinny water and soft mud.

The maker in Thiland is kkk longtails, cool site but when I tried to contact them this spring I recieved no reply.

well we are gonna throw a 16 horse motor on one and see how it does on my 14ft jon. im just worried about it tearing the threads out of the motor where it bolts on. the group i hunt with a kinda hard on stuff.

do you think yur getting a little more snot out of that lil engine with the mod air filter and exhaust?

Looks pretty cool.
I am also considering doing the 16hp for a Grizzley 1548. I know it won't be a rocket ship, but here in Fla where I will tend to be is typically shallow water and weeds, not much mud. I would like it to be something I can hand maneuver to the water if I had to. I am a bit worried about the bracket that it all hinges on, looks kind of cheesey to me. OH well I guess that is where welders and back yard engineering comes in.

thats pretty bad ass man. well done!

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on one of these bad boys, but I'm going to spring for the 15hp motor.

Rob

Crazy how them dudes mount the shaft straight onto the engine block, no linkage. Can't argue with it though, they're getting crazy speeds and performance out of their design.


Anybody ever see the video of the huge wooden boat (I mean schoolbus huge, cabin and all) loaded with people climb up on a high mud flat and roll?

Yeah, with a 13 hp Honda

Still makes me scratch my head.

this little engine is the cats ass.. 15 mph feels like she's ready to take off. i wouldnt want to go much faster in this little boat! lookin forward to this season...

I moumted my motor inside the motor cradle though. Sorry I have tried 3 times to post pic but it just won't let me.

What plans did you use for the longtail build? Did it inlcude parts?

How long is it?