How well would a 35HP surface drive push a 1754 Bass Tracker in a lake that is choked out by wild rice, cattails, lily pads, etc. In fact, there's hardly any water at all and it averages about a foot deep with some parts shallower and some deeper. I'm thinking of downsizing my boat, but since I've never had a surface drive motor on it before, I want to make sure that a 35hp wouldn't push it through the crap very good. I love the boat itself and I'd like to keep it for use on larger lakes, so keep that in mind when posting what you think.

Speed is not really a priority for me, although going TOO slow would be an issue. Making it through thick weeds in shallow, mucky water without getting stuck is more important to me.

It will do fine
as u say no water lol a foot is plenty for a grizzly but it will perform like crap if your in the mud! But vegetation won't have a problem
I did the same thing starting out put a surface drive on a 1860 ran 23 in deep and 25-26 shallow
The problem is a ribbed boat in 6" of water or less is like throwing ur anchor overboard and tugging it around
But if u have around a foot a water it will get u by fine

I run a 1754 Tracker with a 32 PD. You'll be fine.

I run a 1648 tracker with a 27 Prodrive

Still testing capabilites. ..