Hopefully someone here will be able to give me some good input on what I am considering for motor selection.

I currently have an Alweld 1656 flat front jon boat with a tall transom and have been wanting to get a mud motor for a while now. I am very close to pulling the pin on a Mud Buddy HD35 CDI to put on this boat. I understand that this motor would probably be better suited for a mud hull, but that is not in the fund at the present time. I am fully aware that I will give up some power, but am unsure as to how much. I have been told by a couple of different dealers that this motor should be fine, but I only trust a dealer so far.

Through the discussion I have had., I'm being told that the tall transom and 56" wide bottom will help a lot as well as the flat front, biggest drawback will be the ribs on the bottom, but that will only disrupt the turning of the rig. If I can get a full load with a blind and guys to run 24-26 mph I'm happy, atleast for a year or two till I can upgrade to a mud hull. What do you guys think, should I be able to get there with this setup?

I really appreciate any constructive feedback.

I would say you could get 24 or so with a hunt load. Maybe more but I don't want to get your hopes up!

If your set on a mb I would try to wait on the HDR to come out that way you can have reverse.


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It'll run fine on that boat. Will you see 24 with a stock motor and 3 guys and blind and gear? You ought to be close. That boat is probably lighter than a mud hull of the same size, so it'll probably be a tad faster than a mud hull.

I do agree with Brandon on the hdr if you're getting a mb.

I'd say 22 with that load. The hull is a little over 100lbs lighter than my 1848 mud hull. Another thing is that GPS speeds avg a 3 mph difference once you go south.

I just got my 2010 31 GT (no reverse) running right. (BOUGHT IT USED AND JACKED UP) I have it on a boat very similar to yours. '85 Alumacraft (very well used) 1648 flat bottom with runners on the bottom but with a 16 inch transom. I haven't had an opportunity to load it down yet, but have seen 27 (Garmin Etrex GPS) by myself, two batteries, 5 gallons of gas, trolling motor and other watnot items with a completely stock motor. Your bottom being wider will only improve your ride. Cant speak to the Mud Buddy brand, but you'll find the folks at Gatortail to be very helpful....it's worth a phone call at least. Their customer service is very hard to beat.

Oh and BTW.....that wasn't WOT. Close, but not quite.