I've finally settled on a used Go-Devil boat which has a short transom. So I'm looking to buy a 35 hp surface drive, preferably something with reverse, but all I'm finding are tall transom motors.

So, not wanting to have the boat welded on to make it a tall transom, knowing however that it may be absolutely necessary, my question is; having seen those "adapter plates" that raise an outboard motor up off the transom, has anyone ever tried using one with a mud motor? And if you have, how well did it work, or fail to work? Thanks...

Get it built up.

x2, probably cheaper or the same price as a decent jack plate anyway