Well guys, I'm new to MMT so here goes. I'm 59 (avid waterfowler) and have fought Lyme Disease for a dozen years. My back can't handle bags of decoys or lengthy walks anymore. Having said that, I purchased a few boats and motors over the past few seasons with most being too small and often too underpowered. I recently found a beautiful (at least to me) 16-42 GoDevil boat in Northern California (I live in Reno) with a great trailer designed with a long tongue. I just located a 2010 Mudbuddy Longtail with a 27HP Koehler with 40 hours on it and is being serviced as we speak by the dealer. I'll make the purchase this weekend provided I don't get talked out of it. I hunt refuges in Nevada until it freezes ( first part of December) and will probably hunt California when the ice thickens. So, how will this boat perform at 4200 foot elevation factoring in balancing of weight and mostly 1ft to 2ft of water (sometimes more, sometimes less) always with about a foot of soft mud, rarely hard bottom. I'd be with one of my son's and a 75lb lab. I might be pushing it but I'm hoping I can take both son's (200# ea) and the dog once in a while (dog always goes). If Nevada had better duck hunting I'd look toward a pro-drive but the cost and actual amount of usage probably doesn't justify it. They're asking $2300 for the motor. I paid $3400 for the boat and trailer plus accessories. Am I moving in the right direction? Any comments will be appreciated! thanks, Jeff

You should run fine in that skinny water , plenty of tourqe with that 27hp for the mud you encounter . Boat might be a tight squeeze being that narrow for you , 2 sons , dog and I am assuming decoys and guns and other gear. If you have never ran a longtail before , get plenty of stick time , you'll have to learn how to turn around and that requires slowing down. Also coming off plane when deaccelerating you'll have to watch that you don't swamp the transom. A long tail will get you there and back but you won't be winning any races. , check your transom height to make sure motor and boat match up . Keep us posted , plenty of guys will help you out on here , might have to have thick skin it gets a little rough. Welcome aboard

H Finn

Welcome aboard, Yellowlabguy! Huck is right about the attitude of some on this forum, you're safer on this Longtail forum for sure.
I am the same age, been running LT's since '89...presently a 1648 grizzly with a 27 Kohler Lt (MB). With that proposed load I get around 15 mph; two hunters and gear 17.5, just myself around 20 mph. The Kohler is solid but a bit cold starting finicky. I am at sea level so I can't say about your elevation and the "glorified lawn mower" engine. I'd ask other hunters in the area about carburetor settings, prop and pitch, etc. I'd offer 2K$ for the motor and see what happens. There are many used motor deals around, since a lot of folks have gone to shortail motors. Sorry about your condition and here I was complaining about my Type 2 diabetes. The LT tiller work can be strenuous but then I am used to it. Make sure to wear the kill switch lanyard and train your sons in operating it as well. I've set my throttle ahead a bit, get around 4500 rpm wide open out of the water, 'bout 3850 under load wide open. I run a 9x6 prop- for me runs 1-2 mph better than the 9x7 but then I am at sea level. It's a 10 mile run round trip most times, shallow water, little mud, only veggies, hard bottom...the LT is the ticket. Good luck and give us a report!