I just bought my new 24 Longtail (never have driven a longtail ) and am in the final stages of completing my new rig. I have a Gator Trax-like boat, open hull, and have a "half-box" driver's seat that I still need to mount. Question is: do y'all find yourself standing most of the time when manueviring the motor? Would it be best to mount the seat completley ahead of the handle? How about where to mount the grab bar?(which I still also have to mount). Thanks for any help / pics!

Unless you have a lot of long rides in deeper water, you will be standing most of the time. If I were you I would mount the box where you would normally sit when driving a regular tiller handle,but adjust the seat front to back where the handle is about even with the front of the seat. I'll try to take a pic to show where my grab bar is tomorrow.

definately stand up when you pee

Handle bar mounted to the back of the center box seat.

Rear seat set off to the side.

i never sit in my rig never have time to

I dont ever sit when i drive. I would put grab bar where it is most comfortable to drive.

Here are the pics I took today. I measured it and it is 2'10" in front of the seat on a Weld-Craft.

When I had my long tail, I never sat to drive. Almost an hour run to my camp and I stood the whole way. Best advice about the grab bar is stand in ya boat like youre driving with the tiller in ya hand and put the grab bar where it is comfortable. I also had a half box seat thing and I ended up putting it in front of me and welded the grab bar to the back of it.

Like what?

Thanks for the replies and pics. I think Ill go with the seat a little behind the grip on the handle (tiller handle idea) and mount the grab bar in the middle, ahead of the the grip. The grab bar will be removable for traffic inside the boat and would only be in the way when it's in place. Thanks again. Ill post pics when I finish her up!!

Not quite sure what you mean, but it's like it came from the factory. It may just look like it is angled up cause it is swung into the boat.

Bundy obviously doesn't run a LT, but that sure is a good lookin prop, must only have a couple hours on her. As for the question at hand if you want to be comfortable while driving your boat (sitting down), get a surface drive or outboard. As for LT's just stand and hope that the handle dont smash your toe off! or worse!

Damn right... I just started running a long tail this year and you better beleive it will whoop your ass!!!

i would suggest standing if its your first time driving one, but u can sit down an drive if say your jus rindin down a bayou.
an your handle should be about a foot in front of you depending on how long your arms are

I always stand

When yall are saying a longtail will woop your ass, what do you exactly mean! Like the handle vibrating while your standing or what!??

I stand, unless its a long, straight ride, then I bring a bucket along with me to sit on. just remember,, when your first starting out driving your new motor,, start off slow and dont take turns to fast, at least until you become more familiar with your motor.



gee

Stick time is all it is. I'm running a 27 GDLT and I'm about 155# and there ain't no ass whooping over here. It's all about technique. Get your cavitation plate bent right, learn to balance a load (perfectly for the longtail), put a few hour into turning, and that's all there is to it. I'm not saying you won't have to do any work, but in some instances you may have to get after it. If you are constantly getting you azz whooped something ain't right.