Im new to the whole mud motor thing. I have a 14' aluminum flat bottom rated for a 20 hp. I want to build a longtail from a 25hp kohler. Do you think that is too much for the boat or should it do well? ANY and all advice or input is wanted and welcome. Thanks in Advance.

no u should be ok

ok i really appreciate it. Early i couldnt get anyone to answer me for the life of me lol. Someone said the only problem with that small of a boat is that it will push alot of water. Do you think i should build a transom extension or would that be a waste?

How wide is it?

Anything over 40" should be okay.
As for plowing water, it will run fine empty but when you put weight in the hull it will push a wall of water and have trouble plaining. Nothing short of a 16-17 foot hull will stop that.

i will have to measure the width but its not very wide. Do you think it would help to build a transom extension?

Tell me what you mean by transom extension?

lets see how i can explain this...you see them alot on off shore boats...its kinda like a 2-3 ft boom that is built onto the back of the boat putting the motor further back...does that make sense?

how do i post a pic and ill show you what im talking about

I gotcha, it's like a set back for the motor.

No, that wont really help, just make the tiller further back and harder to turn.
Just run it until you beat the hell out of that cheap hull (you will) and buy a 17' built for a mm when you can afford one.

you could add a hunt deck(similar to what you are think of) but if i were you i would run it until i found a better matched hull

25OutrageModTransom640x450.jpeg
is This what you mean?

Yeah def don't add a gillbracket to that thing

yea thats exactly what i was thinking of...I have full access to a machine shop so i will try to figure something out thats cheap and effective...i wanna do it right because even though its a pos id like to give it to my kid one day so he can beat around the river in his first boat

Just leave it alone, adding on to a hull is tricky business.

I did this:


Floatation POD installation:

I custom ordered the PODs from Boyd Welding in Ocala FL, they were the same price as the Beavertails from Cabelas but designed to fit my boat. I used 6 stainless bolts and 52oo to fasten them to the hull. I used a grinder to get down to bare metal for both sides and snugged the hardware real tight. I used 1" aluminum stock behind the transome(inside of boat) to reinforce the whole job. I think they make better steps than anything, but I hope they help in the real shallow stuff.

i have thouht alot about putting a pair of these on my boat. I have read a good many reviews on them and everyone says they are one of the best investments they have made on their boat. so im really thinking about doing this. I appreciate the pics and instructions.