New to the forum and looking for opinions. This was my first year to duck hunt and Now i'm hooked. I have a fishing cabin in Port O'Connor TX, This is where I will be most of the time rather I'm fishing the shallows or duck hunting. I just sold an older bay boat so now i'm in the market for a mud boat/motor.
The second hunt I went on this year was in a friends GD 1660 with a 35GDSD. First one I had ever seen. There were 4 of us w/dog, dekes, etc...I was impressed. Pretty heavy load and it got us around just fin. So I called GD and got a rig priced out: 1860 with the 35GDSD.
Then I was told about the GT boats/motos. Visited their website and called Kyle. I am also interested in a similar rig from GT: 1860 GTB with the 35 GTR. I have not been in one these rigs.
I have done a alot of reading on both rigs and they seem pretty close. How important is the reverse/trim on the GT? Which of these 2 rigs would handle a load better. Which would you chose for Shallow mud flats at the coast.
I know I'm going to hear the "Drive em both and decide" which I plan on doing if I can find a GT close to me that night let me demo his rig. BUT, I just want to hear some pro/cons from you guys that have the knoweldge.

either one of the combos you mentioned will get the job done well. It's just a short drive down I10 to Loreauville... when you get there you can try out a Gatortail rig. While you're there, make sure you let Peck take you for a demo ride in a ProDrive rig.

I agree with Crews, Demo everything you can, Pro Drive, Gator Tail, Godevil, ect. Find a rig that fits you. In the long run there really is not much price difference.

Also check out the For Sale forum. Some good used stuff there.

I have a 1754PD with a 36 PD.I live in Victoria and fish POC all the time.If you want to drive it let me know.Once i show you FPR you will be hooked. If intrested PM mee your number and we will go for a ride.

i personally like the rounded chimes vs tapered - but everything is a tradeoff. i've driven a few, but mainly my gd1656 and my friend's gt1754. we both have gt engines (gtr35) & love them. i looked at gator trax hulls, but in the end, i couldn't justify in my mind their higher costs. i think their web site is a good source of info - and especially . if i did it again, i'd probably get steering - but it adds costs & is worse in the mud. also, i think a more open & lighter hull design is good. i'd guess that rounded chimes are probably easier to learn / better for the less experienced boaters.

last, it took me several times for this video to make sense to me: .
it's from:

Duck Hunting Boats were designed to mimic an alligator's bottom side - slick with no corners! These boats outperform all other boats when used in timber laden swamps or narrow ditch environments. The nature of the slick bottom and rounded chines allow the boat to roll off of obstructions or banks. Some wonder if the rounded hull design causes the duck hunting boats to slide in fast turns. Actually, the opposite occurs. The rounded chines allow the boat to grip and bank during fast manuevers. The Duck Hunting Boats tracks better at "high speeds" compared to the Surface Drive Boats.

Scotty,

Welcome to MMT!

so here is my 2 cents...

I have 17x48 with 32 PD. I have fished and hunted POC several times with it. Keep in mind that hard sand flats are a mud motor's worst enemy. If I were you, I would get the biggest you can afford, and then have EVT do the UHMW hull.

The first time you try to skip accross a sand bar and don't make it you will wish you had it... trust me

What part of the world you in, Scotty??

Call Kyle again ....... tell him to build it ....... go pick it up ....... then enjoy yore life !!!!!!



Mines 2 cents !!!!!!!!

Thanks for the replies guys. I am leaning toward the GT 1860 with the GTR35. I like the power trim / reverse that comes with that motor.

a 18" boat will handle a load alot better than the 16' boat.
the 1860 or so would be a great choice!!!

Gator Tail is a great all around motor. Its got the speed to get you there and the quick reverse which makes frogging and running jugs a breeze. I don't suggest running it up on the bank and only leaving the tail end of the motor sticking out cause that not what there reverse is set up to do. The steering on the GT is easier than a longtail, but still hold a little torque that can be a pain in the ass on a really long run. My torque issue could be due to the mods.

Prodrive is a great motor that makes duck hunting where I hunt in a tidal area a breeze. You can pull in the canes and watch the water fall out, just don't watch to long or you won't have any at all. The full power reverse will pull you off just as easy as forward put you on. I don't find it as easy to go frogging or running jugs cause if your coming in hot its hard to slow it down quick enough. By no means am i saying its hard to do, I just think its easier with the quick reverse. The steering is like handling a regular outboard.

If your just fishing with a rod and reel then either of these motors will be just fine. They both do excellent in the mud and will easily get you in and out of most places that you will catch a fish. If its not a sandy concrete bottom and there is any water at all then most of the time they will both do the job

After owning both of these I would say that it all depends on you and what you plan to do with your rig. One is not better than the other, they are both unique in there abilities. As far as going out and goofing off for fun, I have planted both of them in places that I thought I would never get out of. Sometimes you get out and sometimes you hope someone is there to pull you out or your gonna sleep there. Most of the time you get out.

This is only my personal honest opinion. If I could justify the need, I would have both. Most of the time I am happy to have the Gator-Tail, but there is also times that I wish I was behind the tiller of a prodrive and it would be the same if I had another prodrive. It all depends on where I am at and what I am trying to accomplish.

All I am trying to say is that the pros and cons of each motor vary from one situation to the next. When you go test drive them, make a mental list of the situations that you think you will put yourself into and try to duplicate that as much as possable. Either way, you will not be disappointed and will have alot of fun with it.

Well stated Paul.

The first weekend with my PD I got stuck BAD. Had the kids with me, no cell service, gettin late and probably good couple miles walk through the swamp back to the camper. I remembered tellin my wife "just gonna take a quick ride, be back in a few minutes. That reverse saved me. Took about an hour, but i managed to inch my way out. Without reverse, I'd'a been in a bad way.