I have read post about guys debating on the 32" vs 34" or whatever the actual number were. I saw where one guy was talking about a little more speed. Is that it?
What would the cons be? Handling not quite as good? Pros, little more speed?

My current motor has rounghly a 28" shaft (13hp) but I'd like to build one with a little closer to 36". My thought is that if the boat is stuck, the longer shaft may help me dig down a little better with possibly better leverage.

your thoughts?

A lot of folks will tell ya, the extra length makes a difference digging in the mud. I've had a mud buddy with 40" shaft, GTR with a 32"' and now a GTR with 27". Personally I didn't notice a huge difference as far as that goes. Maybe if you run a lot of soupy bottomless mud it does, most of the marsh I usually run is regular old marsh mud. I like the shorter shaft a lot better just because is easier to drive

Yeah, all three of mine were on different hulls so it ain't 100% apples to apples. I couldn't vouch for the speed, my 32" shaft was a stage 2. My 27" is still stock for now

I run a Go-Devil which has a 36" output shaft i believe? And my buddy has a Mud Buddy with a 28" output shaft?
Advantage to this is I do not struggle at all in soupy mud, where as it takes him awhile to get moving...because i can get down deep. The longer output shaft is its a bitch to drive, the further the prop is from the boat then the more tourque it has when turning but it digs deeper into the mud. The shorter one will be easier to steer, but cant dig as deep.