Okay so I think I finally figured out what I am going to do. I love my super 16 gheenoe carries a suzuki 40 horse 4 stroke on the back, 38 mph. My little rocket ship. Now I actually have the cash for a mud motor. I want to get back into hard to reach spots and I am thinking of a long tail now for my gheenoe. If this is possible I can save a lot of cash by switching the motors out during hunting and fishing season and I really do not have the room for two boats. I do a lot of redfishing in mosquito lagoon here in FL during spring and summer. I am planning on finding deer spots for bow season with this LT set up and then follow through to the end of duck season.

Now my questions.

- Go-Devil LT best bang for the buck I hear a lot of good things

- Will the bolt (clamp) pattern interferer with my outboard bold pattern?

- Should I go with a 23 or 35 horse? This is a very large gheenoe and max outboard rated for 40 horse. http://www.gheenoe.net/sixteenft.html

- If I do this how do you actually mount these LT motors to the boat? I don't know if just tightening the brackets down would be a good thing.

- Speed is not my concern and this is not a setup for joy riding its going to be a hunting work horse with the LT, any reason for me to buy a SD motor instead? I like the idea of being able to go anywhere. Not planning on doing stumps with a fiberglass boat.

Go-Devil LT owners your help is needed.

Freedom, if you are going to hunt the shilohs ? All you have to do is go to 3 and 5 to see if you want a surface drive , they are stuck all over the place with the drivers having to walk them. Longtail guys are able to run no problem. If you primarily hunt the St. John's , a surface drive would probably work better to cover more area faster. Good luck.

If I am going to run deeper water along ways I have a great outboard for fishing and joy riding. I want a motor that when I see a place that looks interesting to go I can say well lets go. Is a LT motor that much better about not getting stuck? Its a fiberglass hull and estimating 400lbs

I like my lt for the Un restricted trim and range the tail can dig. A surface drive can only dig so far down and has a much shorter reach from the boat due to the short tail. I have a 20 on a 1448 aluminum flat and get 18-21 depending on load, people, water etc.

Between Swomp or Go-Devil 35 which would you pick and why?

I don't think you should motor swap on that geheenoe. I am fairly certain you will destroy that fiberglass hull with mud motor climbing over logs and stumps and exploring new territory. I would buy a 23 go devil with a 1542 or 1648 jon boat . plenty of that size available in our area of central florida. The 23 is light and very maneuverable and can pull start if you kill your battery. This combo will open up all kinds of areas for you to hunt that you would never be able to go with your outboard. Tm Goodwin / broadmore + merritt island impoundments.

If you are buying a longtail, go with the SWOMP. You will have low vibration, a stout frame and better bearings. I was going to go with a GD until I checked out the SWOMP and I'm real happy I went with the SWOMP. You won't suck weeds or fishing line or anything for that matter up into the lower bearing so you will get a longer life in the bearing. The backh20 guys put some good ideas into their longtail. It puts them a step ahead of all the others. One thing to think about in picking a size is the 23 HP SWOMP has pull start as a backup should your battery die. A 27 or 35 doesn't have the pull start.

I have been hearing good things about the Swomp bad thing is I don't think there is a dealer around me. So if I have problems, this could be a problem. What Hp do you think will be best on this boat?

Freedom, godevil engines are available with a galvanized frame and they do not have a bearing in the bottom housing. There is a spiral groove bronze bushing in the lower housing, if a seal should fail you will make it back no problem. Salt water is a lot more harsh on your equipment than fresh. Make sure the swamp frame and bearing system is made for salt before you throw down your cash. I have not seen one in person but they look sharp on the web.

Hell freedomhunter 38 mph in that 16 ftr is hauling ass. Just tilt motor up and surf your way in.

What do you guys think about the long tail on this hull though? I have never driven or owned any mm. I have a Go-Devil dealer here in central Fl which I think is a huge perk of buying one of them, but the SWOMP just seems to have so many good reviews. In one of their clips on their webpage it shows a guy catching sea trout and in the gulf, but that does not mean it is rated for that.

Pro's and Con's of the Go-Devil?

Yes, I actually went to a diner after duck hunting today and a guy asked me if I dragged raced my boat. LOL, the normal response I get at the dock is holy!@# do you really need a 40 on that? Response absofreakinlutely.

Since you have a Godevil dealer nearby ask him if you can test drive one on your boat before you buy. A reputable dealer shouldn't have a problem with that and you'll see if you'll like it or not.

I have never seen a swomp in person. They look nice and obviously have made some improvements. But having a dealer nearby and major brand is a plus. Can always resell it. They've been around since 1977 and there is a reason for that. Good luck. I live less than 60 miles away from go devil and it is a plus. Thing needs work I take it there and there is no guessing game. Plus warranty. Doubt you'll be able to take advantage of warranty process with a backwater as they're out of Minnesota and there is no nearby dealer/shop.

I am not sure what motor would be best for you. I have a 23 on a 1448 but plan on upgrading to a 1648. I don't know for sure about a SWOMP in salt water, not a concern up here, but I know they send motors everywhere. Give the guys at backh20 a call and they will gladly go over things with you. As far as warranty, they have one on their motors and frames. I know that they have not had issues with bearings going out, yet many pushers of the gdlt like to bring up how the GD will get you back if a bushing goes out and how you will be stuck if the bearings go. Also, guys like to bring up needing their motors worked on. Haven't heard of any guys needing their swomps worked on. That's not to say that at some point every motor will need someone to do some work on it, its like dudes in the south almost use it as a scare tactic for a reason to buy a GD. Yeah GD has been around longer but the backh20 guys aren't new to the game by any means. They know what they are doing and have a sweet line of motors to show for it. Don't throw in the towel on them just cuz they are in Minnesota. I'm not trying to say bad things on GD, I know they have been doing it a long time. Just keep doing the homework and make sure you get the best motor for your needs.

Lamar Cox in Melbourne Fl is a Swomp dealer.


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