I order a super long tail from MB, i got the 45 BD. Anyone on here got one? Im running a 1650 express with a 27 kohler now. What can i expect in speed difference, none of the MB reps will really give me a good idea like they havent tested them much, but they told me in janurary when the production of them continues all of there longtails will be superlongtails because the difference is SO dirastic. Besides this statement, anyone have one how are they, shes coming in about two weeks and im pumped, maybe a 10 mph boost!!!!

Try sending the Boat Dr a pm on here he probably has more experience with them than anyone else on here.

I'm waiting to hear any field reports as well, preferably not from MB, to be impartial. I believe they settled on a smaller prop than the 10" that was first planned, because it runs smoother. I look forward to both the small but signifcant speed gain- I would be in heaven in 20 mph with two hunters and gear on my 1648 hull, as well the ability to put it in neutral. I actually would prefer the 27 powerplant instead of the 35- don't need the extra weight. The longtail works in these marshes and the lower cost is definitely the ticket!

I was told that a 35 cdi SLT will get you within 3-4 mph of a short tail, whether this is true or not i dont know, i believe the speed difference is going to be alot more than what most think it will be. I do know that my 27 kohler goes about 8 mph with my boat full and it blows goat nuts, but can still dig through the loon poop (silt) we have here in Iowa. Also my prop on the 45BD is a 11x10" if im not mistaken, thats a pretty big prop for a long tail. Or are you saying they should go with a 12" prop like a short tail? I have seen a video of a 45BD it was short and he was running wide open so not really very informative. i seriously cannot believe no one on here has one yet!!!!

Nobody on here has one because they only built around 12 of the things. Then it was "problems with the parts supplier", then we are doing a run of 50 of them "soon", then it's they are coming soon and they are the best thing ever, then more of the coming soon, and later they are still coming soon. Does that make sense? Hope you didn't pre-pay too much for it...

massey, not sure what your full boat load is, but that seems awful slow. Not to brag, but I get close to 20 mph by myself, 17.5 mph two hunters and gear, not too shabby with my 27 MB LT on a 1648 grizzly...not the greatest combo but does the job. I salute both MB and Backwater for their innovations in the LT market. As much as those who have shortails, and that is a majority on this site, believe or not, there are places like the marshes here, where an LT is the ticket. I doubt I will ever get a shortail, and it is not just the prohibitive price compared to the LT, but the fact that it offers not much more than the LT. This year we have plenty of water but usually it is low water levels and with a hard bottom, the shorty, with the larger prop and significantly greater weight, is an expensive liability. I like the reliability of the LT over the years...the couple of owners of shortails that I know have had more breakdowns and way more expenses in the "shorter" history of their use. A lot of former LT owners who went the shortail route have never looked back because the shortail is a big step up- and many were skeptical when the first shortails came out, and indeed different mfg.'s had to re-fit their offerings because of failures in the field, that came with trial and error...a much better product exists today albeit with a higher price. Honestly, if I lived in "shorty" country, I would not hesitate to buy a shortail. But I am glad I don't need one, don't have to compete with the latest mods and costs, don't need the speed; my repairs, when I need them, are less cost. True it takes a toll on one's arm, but you get used to it. The SLT design may have some kinks to get through but it offers refinements and real improvements for the basic LT design that GD pioneered here (of course it existed prior in other countries). My motor is a tool for waterfowling and it will never supersede the sport/tradition of waterfowling.

I have a 35hp mudbuddy longtail on a go-devil 16/48 shallow drive boat and I get 24.1 mph GPS with a dog and full 6 gallon fuel tank and decoys. I get 21-22 mph with two 225 lb hunters and same equipment on board.

my full load, me and three other guys in my 1650 express, about 4 dozen hot buys, and 6-8 BF floaters.........two batteries, 6 gal tank..... thats it, all i know is when i drive real close to the bank, even in shallow water, im pretty damn sure i could out run my boat, most likely in my waders too lol. Also those who say that they go 24 mph with a long tail...... doubt it..... my hunting buddy has a F4 with a 45 BD shorty on it..... 26.1 mph with 2 guys and gear GPS.......... sweet rig by the way!!!! Also they built quiet a few of them, the problem is this guys, i called a couple dealers, some said no, not in this years catalog, some called mud buddy themselves, this is how my situation went.... saw it on the net, called mud buddy and asked how many they had, they had 40 frames sitting there ready to go, just needed to order the motor. so i talked to two different dealers near me. first Shallow Water Marine, in Cedar Rapids Iowa, f****** asshole would hardly even entertain the idea that i wanted to give the asshole $6000 of my money. the second was MnM marine in savana Il. and they were more than willing to work with me, i told them my situation, what mud buddy said and what the prick from shallow water said, he went ahead and called mud buddy and talked to them, got the thing ordered and presto........ so those who said that they couldnt get one cause they didnt make many, call mud buddy themselves, i found that dealers arn't always willing to take your money, sometimes grumpy old men like the guy at shallow water dont want your money so.... do your homework..... I'll say this guys, i get the damn thing before the water freezes ill take some damn video for ya'll so you can see how it runs in open water.....empty, and with full load..... and show you how it runs in mud and across loon poop flats here on the MIS....... later guys thanks for the little help you could give!

Ps longtail is the only way to dig a hole in the mud

Good deal, massey, we'll await the pics, video, and detailed report on the SLT maiden voyage!
scottfarm, those are excellent speeds! If I can get close to that on any future 27 SLT, that will be heaven!

I was surprised at the speed myself. It is a beast to handle--a definate learning curve, but it will haul ass. it will out run a 171/2 gator trax 31hp prodrive which was impressive to me. It will do a steady gps 24 mph and a load don't hurt it much. Guess I'll have to do a youtube video to prove it.

I believe you, no video needed! On a previous rig, a 1544 alumaweld with a 25 GD LT that was tweaked, I ran 22.1 mph with just me. I am hoping the SLT will make more user friendly that "beastly" 35 Briggs. The 27 Kohler gives me a workout, but it has plenty of torque and in a gear reduction format/SLT, it just might be ideal for this area.

yep im getting pumped called the dealer today told me mid november, thats all i can get out of him, our season closes for duck in december first week, but goose is open tll 2nd week of jan....... the anticipation is killing me i know that!!!!! videos soon to follow promise that much guys......0

I had many people at the boat landing say to me, man I can't believe how fast that longtail is. Most longtails are much lower hp and they are used to seeing them just plugging along. I can pull a skier with mine.

Can anyone provide a video of the slt? I can't find any!