New long tail owner here. I picked up a used 23 hp longtail in august. I was wondering if you guys prefer to reverse mount it with the tail locked in the boat while towing or if you leave the tail out instead. I was always under the impression that you swiveled the tail in and towed it that way, but when I bought it the guy towed it With the tail extended out. I've tried both and each had its pros/cons so I wanted to hear any thoughts/advice on how to tow it

First of all, where do you store your bow rope?


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I trailer mine with the tail in the boat. Less hanging off the back for people to hit.


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A GDLT with the tail in the boat only saves you 4" with to the handle sticking out vs the tail out.

You didn't specify which frame you have so this may not apply to you.

For years there were no full swivel GD's so I trailered with the tail end out and almost got hit...used a big flag and lights. With my new Backwater, since it is more back-weighted, it is better and more stable to rotate the prop end into the boat and I shore it up with a wood block and there is almost no movement. Depends on your boat, but in either case you don't want continual flexing on the transom. I do attach a flag as well to the handle end. I intend to add a small light at night to ward off those vehicles that get too close. If you are going full swivel (180 more likely), make sure you have enough slack fuel line and battery cable!

I am with Glades Ranger. The flexing on a transom with the motor attached while towing puts pressures that a boat is not supposed to be subjected to. I not only remove my shaft, but also lift the motor out of the mount on the transom when I am transporting my boat and motor. I put the motor and shaft inside the boat, and tie them off. I am running the Predator 420cc engine setup from Mudskipper and am able to lift it on and off for transportation. Helps the trailer ride better too with the weight down low while on the road, and no worries about anything sticking out of the boat getting damaged.

With my MBLT, it is built similar to the GDLT, not much weight difference wether tail is in boat or motor in boat (the way they balance it)..... I have a poling platform on my boat..... with the GD hull, I have a pad eye in the boat with a line I wrap around the handle.... then I use a ratchet strap Hooked on both sides of boat down to trailer.... ratchet strap pulls up on handle while rope keeps it pulled down toward pad eye..... it keeps the motor/tail from bouncing up and down


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