re: Is there a perfect duck boat? Width, motor, long tail, short tail?

Yeah, it is. I've emailed the guys over at Prodrive requesting info on what it would cost.

I stole this from another website, but i think it summarizes the differences well.

Long tails:
Pros- get out of mud better
- cheaper
Cons - will put a workout on your shoulder
- not as fast
-suck for long runs

Short tails:
Pros- faster
-easier to handle
-great for long runs
Cons- expensive
- harder to get you out of mud if stuck

I have owned both and I will say this. A surface drive with reverse will go where a longtail wouldn't dream of going. Mostly talking about lillies and grass. In mud, they are about the same. The nice thing about the longtail is that you can use it to spin you around and almost as a pushpole. Which you can't do with a surface drive, but having reverse more than makes up for that. And like you said, longtails suck for long drives mostly because they are so slow and are harder to drive. I would recommend test driving both before you buy something. And now that I have a surface drive, I would never go back to a longtail FWIW.

Vlad, TunaTime and Polar Pop, thanks. I wanted to hear from people who have used both and know what works for them.

I have had both what you want to know?

I have had multiple mud motors both tiller and console. I normally have longer runs so console is only way to go. I have had a single mud motor and duals. You carry a load go ahead and spend it all and get duals.

My dad just picked up an 18x54 gatortail with 35GTR 2 weeks ago and we are happy with it so far. It stays at the camp for now, so it's mainly a marsh fishing/hunting rig. Extended front deck and hunt deck on the rear, front an rear spud poles, bowfishing lights, poling platform.

My dad just got the 18 x 60 Prodrive, no complaints and the full throttle reverse is nice, but that rig you dad got is fine bourg. I was at the camp drinking a few beers and went look at it the night he dry docked it in the marsh. Those LED bowfishing lights are bad arse.

Prodrive or Gatortail, cant go wrong.

Lots of good info(i.e. bitching and fighting) [link=(www.mudmotortalk.com)]here[/link]

I have a center console Gatortail and love it, but wouldnt mind the full power reverse of the prodrive.

quote:

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I was at the camp drinking a few beers and went look at it the night he dry docked it in the marsh. .

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Get a Gator Tail, they have reverse. plus our Pro Drive always has problems.

I have a Gator Trax Rouge (skinny) in 16ft.

I hunt out of the boat often so I prefer the thinner model for concealment. It's easy to tuck up next to an island. I couldn't use a center console b/c of this.

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I have a longtail. It gets me where I need to go, but I badly want to upgrade to a surface drive for most of the reasons already said.