mud motors...are they worth the money?

[shanee]

I am building a new duck boat, its a 16ft X70 inch flat bottom, I am looking into getting one of the new mud motors...or finding a good used one. does anyone have one that might have some insight? is it worth the money to get one and what style should I get because there are a few different styles and I am not sure which would be better. The prices I am seeing are anywere from 2500 to 8000 depending on style and size. Let me know if anyone has the info because I am at a loss.

[JCAMERON]

Not based on personal experience, but from the videos I've seen and what I've heard from a few friends that have them, they can run anything. If your duck hunting in mostly boggy areas where there is minimal water, I would say its a good idea. I am a cheap a$* so I would have a hard time parting with that much money.

[Duckslayer]

I am a cheap a$$ as well!  However, the many times that I have hunted Swan lake I sure have always wished that I had one.  Got real tired of stopping every 25 yards to clean all of the weeds and crap off the lower unit and watch the mud motors just keep on keepin on!  Oh, and they will go a whole lot of places that an outboard would not think of... not even a jet outboard.  I guess it depends on what you hunt... I do not hunt swan any more so it would not be worth my while.  Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[finch]

if you're up for some fabricating they are not all that complex.  I had started to draw some plans up based on the pictures I saw on a couple websites.  but I am thinking about getting out of water hunts so my boat just sits and collects dust now.  PM me if you need some more info.

[shanee]

anyone have any input on a long shaft or a surface drive?

[wykofmn]

I just bougt a mud buddy long tail for the season and loved it.  I have a fourteen foot duck boat,and  I was amazed at how little of water it took to propel my boat.  we had two guys two dogs and full gear and were able to go through stuff i wouldn t have walked through with my hip boots. i hunt reno bottoms which are the backwaters of the mississippi.  i bought used for about 2k.  good luck

[sunriseduckblind87]

Seeing this post reminded me of this summer when a buddy and myself got his boat stuck (NOT FUN) in some good ole' mississippi mud testing out his new set-up. He's got a 16' riveted jon, with a 27 horse prodrive. granted we were only in two inches of slop water, they do get stuck! anyways I've been around two go devils extensively (the long shaft type) on an 18 and 20 ft. set up, my uncle has had his go devil for a LONG time - at least 10 years with minimum maintenance.  I know there's kits and/or plans out there too if you want to buy the power plant seperately...  It's just like anything else you get what you pay for as far as horsepower and the design goes but shallow water motors are deffinetly worth it!

[Bufflehead]

 I have been with several guys who own them. IMO, they are a man handler(long shaft), it's a constant fight to keep them in the water and in control. Ran them myself.

 They also wreck a lot of vegetation, I don't even know how they are legal in any wild rice area. In the wild rice, ricing rules. It says, you may NOT remove or damage the rice plants or roots. After one of these has went though, it looks just as bad as seeing where ATVers have mud bogged their way through a swamp. I'm surprised our DNR hasn't put restrictions on them already

 I'll do without one 

[joker31888]

I've been hunting with one.  I think they're great.  Can go almost anywhere.  Just need 1/2 os water.  Was hunting on Mississippi.  Whent through some rough backwaters.  Jumped three beaver dams.  Would've been a good 400 yrd walk with all the gear through some tough water.  Great day.  50 ducks throughout the weekend.  Was a blast.  I kinda liked the boat ride the best.
I also hear repairs are kinda spendy, but i dont know.

[BigWinnieDuece]

we have a go-devil, and it is incredible.  i love it

[MetallMilitia]

i too have a go-devil.  it's insane son!! unstoppable

[1duckcrazy]

I have a Pro drive surface drive and I can say it is great but they will get you i trouble if you don't watch it.
Yes they can go places that the average Motor would not dream of but they will get stopped by some stuff.
I prefer the surface drive to the long tail just for speed and I like to stay in my boat once I get going and not get pitched out like I have heard can happen with the long tails.
If you don't have far to drive the long tail might be fine, they cost much less but I can say make sure it will work on your boat before you buy.
The surface drive run around 20 to 30 mph depending on the size boat and the load you carry.
There are some out there that go faster but they have been modified a lot to get those speeds.
They are very durable considering what you put them thru but once you get stuck a few times you will realize there worth.
They are great if you have water that is full of surprises because they will go right over them and not have to worry about water pumps.
It is nice to be able to start them at the access while still on the trailer to make sure they will start before you drop it in the water on those cold mornings.
Make sure you build your transom for the motor you want to put on as mud motors are not the lightest things around.
Good lunk and happy mudding