Hey guys. I'm new to the site. I'm in Ohio and my father and I are into duck hunting. We hunt a marsh that is filled with lillys and arrow heads with some cattails. My dad just got diagnosed with a heart condition. We were always oars and push poles guys until now. It is me dad and dog 530lbs. 125lbs in other stuff. I think a 14 footer is adequate because the furthest we will have to go is 1 mile. I am also thinking a rivoted boat because there are no stumps or rocks. There is always at least 6inches of water at very minimum. Mostly the bottom of the swamp is mud or very hard root structures of the lillys. All I need to do is 4 mph of maybe 5 if I'm feeling a little crazy. If anybody can give me a clue on hp needed or opinions on brands I would appreciate it. We do have around 50 outboards ranging from 9.9 to 225 that we will trade for. Thanks

a longtail will never check up in the lilly or arrow heads. For the speed and weight you want 14-16' boat with a horse power of 9.9 to 16 would do more than what your asking for.

I would look into a 16 or so, 4-5 mph is about idle speed and you will probly want a little more.

The 16 may never break plane but you will have the torque to push you out of a sticky spot the smaller single cylinders will struggle in.

Oh, and if you have never ran a LT, you are in for a fun learining curve...

Thanks guys. Just debating on 1436 or 1448. Any input? Also how do these props handle ice up to couple inches?

42-48"

The ice won't phase that prop as far as damage, being I've never seen 2" thick Ice though, I don't know if the skeg will try to ride on top of it and not chew through it.

Sand is your enemy, if you get stuck in sand you can wear a prop down to a performance killing hand cutting knub pretty fast. Save yourself $190 and push it to water that is atleast 1' deep.

I seriously doubt your gonna get through 2" of ice with any kind of mud boat. I would bet if you encountered it the boat would slide up on top of the ice and when your skeg gets to the edge of the ice the whole boat and motor will be sitting on top of the ice. Heck we used to take Quads out on 3" of ice, and they weigh just as much and are on a much smaller foot print (more weight per square inch). Especially if it is clear solid ice, now if it is slushy snow made ice you have a chance. I would keep that push pole handy as you may need it from time to time.

Definitely go 48" if you can. You will not be satisfied with the 36"

I have no problems with lilys or arrowheads with my lt.Also have a 1436 I would go wider if I were you, its a little tippy.

I think your boat is going to be the limiting factor in breaking ice, If you can get the boat to break through and cut a path rather than ride up you'll be fine. Once the boat rides up your gonna have a tough time with the motor trying to follow and coming up on the ice with you.