So it looks like I am buying a 23 for my gheenoe and then later on buying a 1838 hull. I have a 20" transom and live 5 minutes from mosquito lagoon. I have one dealer in Central FL for go-devil and none for swomp. These reasons are why I am going with GD. Unless someone can give a really go reason not to.

So I am one of those people that needs to see the product to understand how to fix or the maintenance aspect of it. I was reading the owners manual to get a better understanding of what I am getting into but really cannot understand a lot of it due to never having my hands on a MM.

Is there any videos of people changing seals, bushing, props and greasing? Do I need to purchase all the tools listed on GD's owners manual? Just want to know as much as possible before I even go to the dealer to look at them.

Thanks

Man I can't tell you a million times on the Internet how much better Back Water is than GD, but you'll never fully understand until you run the both of them. This is coming from someone who has OWNED both of them. The Back Water is hands down, no comparison, a better long tail mud motor than the Go-Devil long tail. You get more features, tougher built frame, etc., etc. And you get it at a lower price point! I can't stress enough how much of a better motor Back Water is putting out, compared to GD. Take my advice and the advice of others who made the decision to go with Back Water. Get a SWOMP and never look back.

I know people are pretty high on back420 right now but you won't be disappointed with a GD. They are easy to work on. Not sure on vids but everything is explained in the owners manual. I run a 23 also let me know if you have any questions.

You're not gonna believe this, but in 8 years and thousands of hours, Back Water has never had a bearing or seal fail. But if one ever does go bad, you just take the bearing housings off by unscrewing them off of the driveshaft housing and tapping the old bearings out and putting the new ones in. If you can't do that, any small engine mechanic would be able to. I went through the same dilemma when I bought my last longtail. I had ALWAYS ran a GDLT and I have a dealer 45 min from my house. But I went with a Back Water because of the design and their innovations. I am so glad I did.

As far as any maintenance, Lamarr Cox in Melbourne is solid. (www.floridamudmotors.com)
He has been suggesting BackH20 motors to me- and he has years of working on GD and MB LT motors so he knows a few things. I owned three GD LT's and then went to MB- currently a 2004 27 HP that has been solid- but right now, if I were buying, it would be a BackH20!
Honky and Frank, the fact he has a 20" transom may mean he can run the BackH20 without cutting it down?
freedom, there is no substitute for a test drive. Cox has both BackH20 and Copperhead motors. The new 23 Copperhead might be a good fit with either your Gheenoe or that 1838 hull. I run skinny areas with hard bottoms so the LT shines, but you might be able to use the SD. You are making a significant investment so my advice, again, is to test drive all of them!

Okay so there is a Back water dealer here in FL. I am not cutting down my transom on the gheenoe, so if the Back water wont work than I have to go with something that will. I have been debating between the two, maybe I will give them a call and see.

Are the SWOMP motors able to do saltwater?

SWOMP will work with any transom. They also handle saltwater fine from the guys I've spoken with. The frames are powder coated with the same heavy duty stuff they use on outboards. Give the guys at Back Water a call. They'll explain better than me.

Well got off the phone with BackH2O and really like all the explaining I got about the motor. As soon as the hospital bills are gone I will be placing my order with them. Can't wait!

Ordered my floor crane to be able to switch from my outboard to my longtail and vice versa. Will be a 23 horse backh20 long shaft on a Super 16 Gheenoe. When its all set up I will take pictures and video with data numbers from GPS.

Best decision you could've made!

X2^^^^^^^. Talked with Arlen today. Had one question and he went on for a half hour. Great guy,great company.

Great move man.

Hope it works out for you. Can't wait to hear a review on the setup.