- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
School Me on Surface Drives
Posted on 3/23/24 at 7:47 am
Posted on 3/23/24 at 7:47 am
Sub Jr. wants a Pro Drive, Go Devil, Gator Tail, Mud Buddy boat.
He’s a good kid (as far as I know) or really f’ing sneaky, works, has good grades so I gave him a budget to add onto some money he already saved to get something decent.
My version of this was to get a fiberglass mudboat with a Subaru, Nissan, Chevy etc.
Apparently that is not for cool kids.
Apparently you have to make a lot of noise, standing up, going 20mph shooting a rooster tail to be cool.
So, we’ve looked at a few. Some decent deals out there.
Passed on a 35 ProDrive yesterday on a GoDevil haul (also, apparently it is a haul for these sellers :-) ) Not sure.
Are any brands to stay away from?
I understand Boss is out of business, so parts are unobtainable.
Mud Buddy?
ProDrive?
GoDevil?
He claims to not care if it’s a long tail- what are the pros and cons?
Do we need reverse?
I would very much rather have an inboard with a turbo LS motor swinging an 18” wheel, but that’s not gonna happen.
He’s a good kid (as far as I know) or really f’ing sneaky, works, has good grades so I gave him a budget to add onto some money he already saved to get something decent.
My version of this was to get a fiberglass mudboat with a Subaru, Nissan, Chevy etc.
Apparently that is not for cool kids.
Apparently you have to make a lot of noise, standing up, going 20mph shooting a rooster tail to be cool.
So, we’ve looked at a few. Some decent deals out there.
Passed on a 35 ProDrive yesterday on a GoDevil haul (also, apparently it is a haul for these sellers :-) ) Not sure.
Are any brands to stay away from?
I understand Boss is out of business, so parts are unobtainable.
Mud Buddy?
ProDrive?
GoDevil?
He claims to not care if it’s a long tail- what are the pros and cons?
Do we need reverse?
I would very much rather have an inboard with a turbo LS motor swinging an 18” wheel, but that’s not gonna happen.
11
Posted on 3/23/24 at 8:16 am to subMOA
quote:
make a lot of noise
Posted on 3/23/24 at 8:37 am to subMOA
I have a prodrive with manual reverse I never use. If this was a fishing rig more than a hunting rig, I’d want the auto reverse. Otherwise I don’t use a reverse in shallow mud soup. I will say I’ve surprised myself many times with my surface drive in the places I’ve gotten in to and out of.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 10:40 am to subMOA
I have a Gatortail boat and motor (37HP) with center console and reverse and extras and less than 30 hours on it. I am looking to sell to a young hunter/someone just starting out for a price that can’t be beat. In BR area, If you’re interested, email at s b r 1 8 6 1 @protonmail .com
Posted on 3/23/24 at 10:57 am to subMOA
Gator tail and pro drive are ford/chevy. I’d stay away from the others.
The biggest difference that I’m aware of is the reverse. Pro drive reverse is more powerful and gator tail reverse is easier to use. If you don’t mod them, they last a long time and are pretty reliable. They all need tinkering every year or so mechanic availability/proximity would likely sway me on what brand I use between those two.
Try and convince the boy not to “make it cool” so it lasts. My gator tail is stock and has ran like a top for 13 years.
Good luck and have fun! It’s just money!
The biggest difference that I’m aware of is the reverse. Pro drive reverse is more powerful and gator tail reverse is easier to use. If you don’t mod them, they last a long time and are pretty reliable. They all need tinkering every year or so mechanic availability/proximity would likely sway me on what brand I use between those two.
Try and convince the boy not to “make it cool” so it lasts. My gator tail is stock and has ran like a top for 13 years.
Good luck and have fun! It’s just money!
Posted on 3/23/24 at 11:32 am to GumboPoBoy
Posted on 3/23/24 at 3:04 pm to subMOA
I’ve only mostly ever had godevil but I’ve had 5 or 6 of them. Had one mud buddy on a gator trax and it was a nice boat but it got stuck all the time. The old non reverse direct drive godevil models were tough as shite but from what I’ve seen on the new FNR electric trim frames they’re having what I’d call some quality control issues. Also Briggs is gona Briggs. I’m running a godevil with a 27 Kohler now due to restrictions on my local wma. Love godevil though and they have the best customer service.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 5:46 pm to subMOA
Go devil boats suck, long shafts have their place but are not cool.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 7:18 pm to subMOA
I wouldn’t turn down a Go devil motor, especially if you decide you don’t need reverse (you really don’t). Less parts = less stuff to break IMO.
Reverse is great for frogging and bowfishing, but still not necessary.
I ended up getting a gatortail myself. I decided on a center console so I wanted the instant reverse. If I had gone tiller, I probably would have gotten a pro-drive. I didn’t consider Go Devil because I live closer to the other two.
Reverse is great for frogging and bowfishing, but still not necessary.
I ended up getting a gatortail myself. I decided on a center console so I wanted the instant reverse. If I had gone tiller, I probably would have gotten a pro-drive. I didn’t consider Go Devil because I live closer to the other two.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 7:48 pm to Theduckhunter
My gator tail 37 has been a great engine. I run it on a custom duck boat.
I maintain it to specs and it has not let me down.
I maintain it to specs and it has not let me down.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 8:24 pm to subMOA
I had a 37hp gatortail on a prodigy boat that I ran for 4 years. I swapped it out for an outboard because I used my boat for fishing way more than I used it for hunting. Other than being slow, I loved my gatortail though. I didn’t want a motor that didn’t have instant reverse. Also, the fact that it was fuel injected was legit too. I never had to fight to get it started on those cold mornings going duck hunting.
I’m not up to date on the latest and greatest mud motors, but I definitely recommend instant reverse and fuel injected…
I’m not up to date on the latest and greatest mud motors, but I definitely recommend instant reverse and fuel injected…
Posted on 3/23/24 at 8:57 pm to A_bear
I bought that Tohatsu outboard I made a thread about few weeks back. Just pulled my GatorTail 37xd off my boat this week. It's a 2017 with only 114 hours. Had 0 issues with it. It'll be listed on LaSportsman soon.
Posted on 3/23/24 at 11:38 pm to bootlegger
(no message)
This post was edited on 3/24/24 at 12:11 am
Posted on 3/24/24 at 10:17 am to KemoSabe65
quote:
Go devil boats suck, long shafts have their place but are not cool.
I wouldn’t take this guys advice. Clearly knows Jack shite.
Posted on 3/25/24 at 7:15 am to Griffindawg
His boats have all the technology of the Ark 
Slow, not as manuverable and that floatation was terrible.
Now, in a head on collision they are tanks.
Slow, not as manuverable and that floatation was terrible.
Now, in a head on collision they are tanks.
Posted on 3/25/24 at 7:21 am to subMOA
I have a gatortail 37XD (before the 40 came out) on a 18x54 Gatortail haul Center console. Boat and engine are great. One thing to keep in mind though is the more catwalk and boxes you put in means more weight. Which means a slower rig. I'm running a open boat with no rod boxes and no cat walks. Also, if you get the gatortail get the 2-blade prop.
Stay away from heavily modified engines.... Most i would buy is a stage 2 anymore more i would not touch.
I am like you though I am going to be in the market soon for a LS mud boat. Me, two kids and a dog plus all teh crap is a pretty good load. You would be surprised what those 40Hp brigs do with a clutch in a traditional style mud boat.
Stay away from heavily modified engines.... Most i would buy is a stage 2 anymore more i would not touch.
I am like you though I am going to be in the market soon for a LS mud boat. Me, two kids and a dog plus all teh crap is a pretty good load. You would be surprised what those 40Hp brigs do with a clutch in a traditional style mud boat.
This post was edited on 3/25/24 at 7:22 am
Posted on 3/25/24 at 9:59 am to LSUDUCKMAN67
You really cant go wrong with the Gatortail Extreme series boat and a 40hp Gatortail motor. Prices have gone up quite a bit but I just ordered a new one Friday.
ETA: I had a Weldbilt hull with a 35 Gatortail. The hull didnt hold up to the way we use our boats. Traded it for a 1652 Seark Slayer with a 50hp Mercury. I loved the boat but didnt get to use it at all last year due to the drought. Sold it and ordered the new rig.
ETA: I had a Weldbilt hull with a 35 Gatortail. The hull didnt hold up to the way we use our boats. Traded it for a 1652 Seark Slayer with a 50hp Mercury. I loved the boat but didnt get to use it at all last year due to the drought. Sold it and ordered the new rig.
This post was edited on 3/25/24 at 10:04 am
Posted on 3/25/24 at 10:16 am to HoldThatTiger03
Tiger03, I love my rig and ill be keeping it but with the load i have to carry i need something bigger with more nuts.
You ordered the new engine with the YZ clutch on it.?
You ordered the new engine with the YZ clutch on it.?
Posted on 3/25/24 at 10:35 am to LSUDUCKMAN67
quote:
Also, if you get the gatortail get the 2-blade prop.
this. Much better performance with the 2 blade. Tooke\ me 5 years to figure this out
Posted on 3/25/24 at 11:16 am to subMOA
Fellas,
What is the best format for me to advertise my boat for sale? I’m not on any social media and live in the boonies outside of BR.
Have a 2016 18’ Gatortail center console boat, with GTR37 engine and trailer with extras and less than 30 hours on whole package and has custom boat/engine cover. Unable to use due to injuries.
I have never made $ off anyone in a trade or sale just have no use for it due to my physical condition.
What is the best format for me to advertise my boat for sale? I’m not on any social media and live in the boonies outside of BR.
Have a 2016 18’ Gatortail center console boat, with GTR37 engine and trailer with extras and less than 30 hours on whole package and has custom boat/engine cover. Unable to use due to injuries.
I have never made $ off anyone in a trade or sale just have no use for it due to my physical condition.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News