New (now 50 hours) backwater Kohler 26.5 EFI SWOMP SS on a 2006 Gatortrax 16'44" with a backwater 9x7 prop. Currently running ~19 MPH at 3800 RPM (4250 OOW) which I hear is pretty good for that boat. As usual, I'm greedy and trying to get a little more speed. Asked Jake at backwater and he said 9x8 would be a little faster but lug, lose load carrying, and hole shot. After looking thru different posts I get the impression sometimes going up or down in pitch can increase speed. Maybe because the gatortrax is a heavy boat, a 9x6 may get me some more speed. I normally run with just myself and a pirogue or, occasionally, 2 people and no pirogue. Really looking to stick with a backwater prop. Trying different props is an expensive proposition, so I am just looking for some opinions. May be looking to get 2-3 mph more if possible. Betting that is a pipe dream, but I have to ask. Thanks in advance for any opinions.

Greedy is right, but I understand it for sure...I get 1-2 mph more with a 9x6 Ron Hill prop than the indicated 9x7 Tiger prop on my 27 MB LT, 19.7 mph with just me and gear on a 1648 grizzly. That is damn good considering the GT hull is heavy as you said, and my grizzly is 395# so for the past 11 years I have just been getting up earlier than most. Enjoy the ride!

Bit the bullet and ordered a backwater 9x6. I'll report back the results

Worst case scenario, you have a great spare prop!

So, hawilson, how did the prop perform? I've run the 25/27 HP Kohler LT's for some 28 years now so I am quite used to it and don't complain though an extra 2-3 mph would be great. I am torn between the 26.5 and 35 Backwater units. I am turning 62 next month and though fit, not sure I want the extra rigors of the 35 and the extra weight? For where I run, the LT shines; the only surface drive I have ever considered is the newer 23 HP Copperhead because of the lighter weight, output, recoil start/electric combo, no clutch/neutral, manual trim simplicity. Guess only a test drive will decide that!

Using new prop. Gained 1-2 mph and hole shot and load carrying capacity are much improved. Turning 4200 RPM which I believe is not a problem.

Good to hear.

There you go! Happy New year mudding!

hawilson, any updates on the BackH20 26.5? That will probably be my next motor...since it is EFI, what gas are you using, what oil? Any other suggestions? Sold my 2004 MB 27 LT, time for new motor!

The other question that surfaced is, do you still use the Champion RC12YC standard plugs with the EFI? For the past two years I used the E-3 plugs and I would like to believe the motor started better and ran better. Does the gapping change (.030) any? This might have been answered a while back but what grease does BackH20 use/recommend in the drive tube? One thing that has been reported with the EFI is that the motor idles at lower rpms, but runs smooth- unlike the previous carb models.
A couple of small engine shop workers expressed worries over the EFI unit itself, stating that they are not adequately shielded from water. Is this inaccurate or are they just concerned more with loss of service and pissed off at EPA??
My last motor, the MB 27 LT, had the full swivel plate allowing me to turn the motor into the boat for trailering although I never did that. I did replace the stock fuel line from the gas tank to the motor and cut one long enough to do this. Since I put the battery up front, I also ran heavier gauge batt cables to the front and left enough slack to turn the motor in/out. Does the BackH20 come with enough length in both the battery cables and gas line to do this?? Seems like it should since this swivel feature is stock.
What kind of support are you using on the skeg/prop in the boat to do this?
Ok, sorry for all this interrogation, but thank you!!

Been happy with it so far. It's in the shop now but only for a minor issue. The idiot lights burnt out. They are not water proof. As far as the efi unit being water proof, it appears to be encapsulated in epoxy so we'll see but no issues so far. I am pretty religious about keeping the engine covered when not in use. The cables and gas line lengths are something you need to do/supply. Yes, you do have to make them a little longer to support the swing into the boat. Always swing in the same direction and no problems should surface. Idles and starts up fine no matter what the temperature. Been using the plugs that came with it. I may look into the E3's. As far as support when trailering, I turn the tilt knob all the way down so the engine prop/skeg do not touch the bottom of the boat while trailering. I throw the boat strap over the frame to keep it from bouncing up and down too much.

Overall I am pleased with the setup. It's my first longtail so I had to get used to it. Customer service has been great.

Any other questions, just let me know.

Just noticed a few other questions:

I use synthetic Mobil 1 10w30. I use amsoil grease on the drive tube and frame. I always use non-ethanol gas, whatever octane is available.

10-4, thanks! I am real excited at the prospect of making the buy, now that I sold my old motor. I will probably trailer it in the future with the tail end in the boat. Sounds like EFI is the ticket; the longtail is just fine in my marsh!!

hawilson, if you could choose again, would the 37 EFI been the choice? 1K$ more, but I've been told it is worth it...I am just not sure, the 27 (26.5) is a chore sometimes, but then this is a BackH20 and smoother operation, like you I mostly hunt solo so 19-20 mph is enough.

Glades, when I got mine the battery cable was long enough for the motor when it was turned around inside the boat for trailering. I had to add a piece to the fuel line though. I cut a notch in a 4/4 for the skeg to sit when trailering.


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Thank you, Stu! Like any "kid", I am excited at the prospect of new motor, whichever I go with!

Sorry, but I get anxious and curious. Do you use a quick connect on the fuel line to the tank? Should this be a problem with the EFI? My late 27 carbed MB Kohler had a mechanical fuel pump and had no problems. I like the quick connectors, taking out the tank and switchouts, if necessary, made easier. Seems like the 27 in many cases, does better with the 9x6 prop, than the recommended 9x7. I know there are a lot of factors but frequently operators are stepping down to the 9x6, getting obviously more rpms but a bit more speed. I run mostly veggies/shallow clean water for the most part, so the 9x6 was a good move. Does the BackH20 stock prop come with a smooth, mirror finish, or not? On their website they all appear to be smooth finish- but I saw a smaller 8 prop that came with the "matte" rough finish...

It comes with the matte finish, all props leave out checked, For balanced. , that matte wears to a nice polish in just a few trips out. Also they are a little thicker thruout the edge. , last longer .

H Finn

Good deal! Yes, the prop I saw had "balanced" written on it. The last prop I had was a hill marine prop, almost no wear after several seasons. Since it is made to ride higher up, I'm thinking the BackH20 prop has less cup than the others?

Hey, Huck! I remember you said you might morph to a bigger rig/motor. If you had the 37 EFI, what hull would you put it on and why? I think the Phowler 1844/1850 "light" hull in .100 might be real good, but man, it is rich $$$. Thinking some custom mfg.'s might be 1K less? I am stuck with my 1648 grizzly, not great, but good enough...

Hawilson, any updates on the 26.5? I am going for it, contacted BackH20 this past week. I based my decision on my good experiences with all three Kohler motors I've had (two 26's, and one 27), the fact 20 mph by myself is good enough, so the 35/37 are a bit too much $ plus the weight over time, I am 62 and though my left shoulder is sound, don't want to push it, EFI with a 26.5 is the right combo on my less than ideal 1648 grizzly- but it is sound, a stable platform, paid for- maybe down the road I will go custom and really get the most out of the LT. Of course, by that time I might morph to a shorty motor.

Nice, Glades. Give us a review when you get it dialed in. Your gonna love that thing.


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Will do, stu! I want to go fishing!

By the way, Jake at Backwater recommended the versa mount placed inboard for my grizzly hull, twice I asked him why and he gave me good reasons for this, any comments? I will start with the 9x7 prop, will need a backup so only trial and error will reveal if a 9x6 is also the ticket.