hey folks I believe my dad is getting a 1448 g3. I want to put a longtail on it. I have been looking at different brands and cant decide. does anyone have any suggestions? I think I want something in the 20 hp range. I have looked at go-devil, mudbuddy, swomp 23. is there anything else I should be looking at or stay away from?

I would pick the brain of guys that have had different brands. I have the swomp 23 and I am very happy with it. I had a gook motor before it and there is no comparison. You will have less maintenance with the backh20 than the others. It handles great but I have no go-devil experience to compare it to. The swomp 23 will be a beast on that 14 footer

Backwaterinc.com

Imo best LTs out right now

I've owned a Go-Devil, a long tail that I built, and now my 23hp SWOMP from Back Water Inc. In addition, I've ran a MudBuddy longtail that belongs to a buddy of mine and several other Go-Devils and home builds. There is absolutely, 100% no comparison. If you want the absolute best longtail on the market, you've got to get a Back Water motor. Search this forum for information on them. I dare you to find one bad thing that has been said about them. Where are you located?

If you don't already have the boat, I suggest against it

Don't get that boat if you did not already get it. You need a longer boat and a different brand. I suggest go devil on the long tails. I love the way he has it set up. He also has great customer service and great warranty. You will get the full motor warranty plus a two year go devil warranty.

The SWOMP 23 is a great motor. If you want best longtail motor money can buy, go with a SWOMP. Virtually no vibration, great bearing system that is protected from damage and premature wear by the revoclean system (nobody else has this) and the easily adjustable cav plate. I went with it based on these things and based on advice from guys like Frank that have run all the others and declared the SWOMP as the best out there. I have run go-devils and after getting my SWOMP I fully agree that the SWOMP is superior. Night and day difference in how smooth it is. As far as boat goes, I have a SWOMP 23 on a 1448 and its nice. I plan on getting a 1648 though, as i believe it will be a better match.

I've run a go devil for years and it is great.. But to be perfectly honest, driving the swomp is night and day difference from the go devil. Much much easier to maneuver

Yea if i could trade my go devil for another longtail it would be the swomp 23

I want to be clear. I mean no disrespect and I give Warren Coco and Go-Devil all the credit in the world. They were the first to do it and they STILL make a great motor. But for less money than you would spend on a comparable GD, you can get a SWOMP that is better engineered, better designed, has a stouter frame, is faster, and easier to drive. Seems like an easy decision to me. Not to mention the guys at Back Water are as good as can be and provide some excellent customer service.

I'm right there with you man, I've only got about 45 minutes of tiller time on a backh20 frame. But in that time covered everything from tight (and I mean tick's ass kinda tight) timber, to rivers, to open water that was 4" to 4' deep. And over all it is a better design. That being said, when I got this godevil, back h20 was in it's infancy and had yet to be proven. If your buying new go with the guys up north. If not, then you can find a good used go devil for cheap and it will give you years of hassle free service with minimal maintenance.

Have had several go devils , 4 different longtail s in the past three years . Simple , easy and dependable. . With that being said I felt the need to change and try out the swomp from back water . I have been in contact with frank the tau and we are meeting for a purchase / pickup . I am Looking forward to this new longtail on my boat . As mentioned above by others , there is nothing wrong with go devil. , but there are other players in the longtail game. .

H Finn

I'm looking at the swomp 23. I see they have 2 models. A 59" and 71". Which do you guys recommend.

I'm going with the longer one. What I'm used to .

H Finn

Will the long one run on a short transom?
I think it is made For a talk transom boat

I would think no matter what a longer shaft on a short transom will have better performance due to the angle. Just harder to handle on turns

But if the cavitation plate isn't set up for the different angle it will hit the water I think it will be a pain to keep in the water.
I don't know how adjustable back waters cavitation plates are, I'll be interested to see how Hucks rig performs

Woodie , you decide if you are coming on the mud run , I'll have it on that boat by then.

H Finn

Right now I'm more than likely to go, but seems like something keep me from going every year!

Huck you know my motor is the 59" SS model, right? I've got it listed that way in the classified ad. The way it's set up now, it should bolt up right to your motor and run perfect.

No but that's fine , I heard those were faster anyways. , plus for me. .

H Finn

Hey Frank, I know you have raved about your Swomp 23 SS on the WarEagle 1650- was that a short transom? If you are selling, can I ask what motor/combo are you moving up to? My guess is a 35 HP but I could be wrong. Sorry, Todd, no hijacking of thread intended- I still think the BackH20 is the best buy, but also suggest you get at least a 16' hull.

My War Eagle is a 1648 and it does have a 16" transom. The 23 is being replaced by a 35 SWOMP.

Good deal, Frank! I know when that happens you will give a full report. I'm hoping to go for a ride with someone down here with a similar combo/ 35 and judge for myself. Must be sweet to go around 24 mph (or more) by yourself in a longtail. I assume that will also be a 59" drive? All the best!

It will be an SS too. I'm looking forward to getting it and putting it through its paces. I'll be sure to give a full report on the rig!

no matter what brand you buy i do suggest a bit thinner boat. most run a 38 bottom i know.

Personally I wouldn't sacrifice the stability of a 48 in bottom for a skinnier ride. A lot of people actually run 48's. But it all depends on what you are doing with the boat.

I don't know that MOST run a 38 but some do most guys I know around me are running 48 or 52.