Ive been researching trying to decide which long tail to purchase, and been looking at different brands and builders of long tail motors, and I do have a question ya'll can answer ! Actually is there really that much diffrence in between one brand to the other ? I mean it's seems to me basically there all a metal frame with bushings, bearings, and U-joints.

Now i maybe really off my thinking, but is there really that much diffrence between each brand ? To me what counts is customer service !!!

I know everyone here has an opinion of the best, BUT really is there something one brand has done that makes there's superior over the others ?

There all using Lawn mower engines from the same manufactures, and to me the motor will be the thing to leave you stranded.

With all this said, I have never owned a mud motor, but hope to real soon, SO don't beat me down to bad if what I have said so far is way off.

Thanks for ya'lls help on my researching the motor for me !!!!

It boils down to this: they'll all go forward and have neutral. Gator tail and prodrive are the only ones with reverse. Gator tail's reverse is almost instant whereas prodrive's requires the foot to rotate 180 degrees prior to engaging. Other brands have no reverse. The arguments are usually about how fast they go, and how easily they can extricate one in mud. But the fact is they all top out at less than 33 mph and in bad stuff everyone will get stuck. I like my Gator Tail.

Personally if I had to get another long tail it would be a go-devil, they have been around for a long long time

So,
PD and GT don't make long tails with reverse?

Oops! Missed the long tail reference. In that case why bother arguing at all.

Customer service is really good with Godevil and back h2o.
Dealt with both with excellent results.

I started with GD, an 18 hp when there were no other mud "toys" in the market. It was sound and reliable. In 2004 I bought an MB Kohler 27. A friend had bought one and I was impressed by the different bearing system, less grease loss, less friction and vibration, better contours, stout prop, and I received good customer support- I did the same with GD but MB's refinements, including a simple trim tab on the trailing edge of the cavitation plate, to a simple design, won out. That said, the entry of BT and now Backwater is a good thing. Initial reports on Backwater's modified cavitation plate are very good, so I might lean their way. Both Briggs and Kohler motors are sound and reliable- the one time entry of the Kawasaki motor with the radiator was interesting but most agreed that parts were expensive and hard to get. Proximity to authorized repair stations, reliable mechanics, parts, etc. are real factors. Test drive them all, if possible. I like choices. I am awaiting more reports from Backwater customers as well as the possible entry of MB's Super Longtail.

I don't know why my mentioning a particular mfg. was censored. I thought this was a "free" forum. It is ridiculous when so much profanity, including images, is allowed but not a simple manufacturer's name. If I get excluded, to hell with the powers that be.

If I was buying new, I'd look into a back water

Thank you tiller, I am more at ease. Still, I thought competition was part of the national fabric.

Gatortail is not a competitor website as it is brand specific. Just like MB and mud buddy is still fair game for now... I personally still think Tony should do away with anything midget related since he can't get his panties out of a twist because a few people don't like him, but that's just my opinion.

You do remember that when they were working on putting that site together, it was touted as a site that would shut this one down, right? I can't really blame TB for not wanting to give that little piece of shit any more advertisement than this site already does. Especially not to another forum that was set up with the soul purpose of luring members off this site.

He is a piece of shit. He knows good and well how I feel about him. I'm saying I don't disagree with Tony and understand where he is coming from.
The sites you mentioned are not competitor websites no matter how much you try to argue they are. Go do a search for PD or GD on either of those sites you mentioned. They are not open forums and not open to discussion on any brand or frame.

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It's funny when people assume, but little do they know.

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I'm just picking at you bud. Was seeing if you would come outta your shell.

I took down my negative comments. never had any problems with you bud. Just picking, you seemed to be in a playful mood today

Back to the question.

I have owned a GDLT 23hp, bought it in 1999. Was a great motor, and customer service was great.

Needed a bigger boat, so got a new motor in 2009. Got a MBLT 35hp. Liked the new bearing system as stated above, lower price, and had a tall transom model with longer LT for my tall transom boat. Have been happy with motor and customer service as well.

With that said, if I was buying new now I would look into back wa ter inc. They have made some updates that interest me. The cav plate, as talked about earlier, tubular frames, and adjustable balance points. Called them the other day about props, and the owner anwered the phone. Seemed very knowledgeable. Have heard they have good customer service.

I too would like to know how the new MB SLT performs and holds up.

Never owned or been around a Beavertail or Marshmonster, can't help you.

Best analogy I can give is Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota trucks. They are all trucks! Some just have different features. Me personally could not buy from Chevy or Dodge because I don't like the owner......OBAMA.

If you can test drive then all, do it. If not, you can't go wrong with any of them. Look at them all and pick the one that has the features you want. I would also recommend talking to each of them as well.

Can't say for the "other guys products" but Go Devil has been building longtails for well over 30 years and has a real good product, with customer servive to match......IMO....... and like I said, I ain't bashing any other guys products, I'll leave that up to the guys with more experience. Duckdon

I use to run a GD until I was stuck in a high sided ditch and because of the inability to turn the motor 180 deg It was a hard time turning the boat without damaging the longtail. Just for the ability of turning a longtail 180 deg I won’t go back with GD.

I'm running a 27 Beavertail not too impressed with there service dept. over the phone. As far as the motor 27hp Kohler its tough no problems. The shaft I've replaced several times seems while running top speed which is only about 18mph if you hit anything there shafts have a tendency of becoming off balanced as in slightly bent. Their props hold up pretty good.

I’m looking at going to the 35SLT this summer I too would like to get some info on the 35 SLT I’ve seen it on their website and talked to them about it but as in any producers product their a little one sided.