New to surface drives, ran a long tail for years. I have a 17' x 48" crawfish skiff with 24" sides. My question is will a modded out 35 or 37 to 44 or 45 hp perform decent on boat like this. Oh yeah the boat is all 3/16 aluminum.

Yes

May be a dumb question but can you tell me about what speed it should run. Trying to get away without building another boat.

Real tough to tell.
I'd think you can get anywhere from 25-31 mph empty boat. Depending on what motor you get, and if it's modded or not.
I'd say 28 mph with a 37 efi. Give or take a few mph
Post a couple pictures of your boat!

Can't right now it's in the spillway. I had a 40 hp Mercury on it at one time and it performed pretty good, don't know how that compares to a pro drive which is what I'm looking at.

Doesn't compare much at all.
With a Prodrive you should be in the 25-28 mph range.
If you mod it, then you'll get better speeds and load carrying

Thanks for the input. My bottom is good and flat and all so that won't be a problem. What are the best mods to do and still stay dependable. I've heard some horror stories about how some guys are steady working on them and staying stuck because of break downs after modding one.

A motor will only take care of you, as good as you take care of it.
It's a lawn mower engine.
These engines are for running hard and through the nasty shit. If you neglect it, it will leave you stranded when you need it the most.
Heads, carb, exhaust is what is do.
Did it to my motor and loved every bit of it.

Buy a bone stock PD 37EFI and go use it. There is a high likelihood that you'll be completely happy with it the way it is. Mods are overrated.


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got a 2015 prodrive for sale with only head work if you interested. It pushes my 19x48 skiff at 30mph

I'd love to Tbubba but I'm gonna finish destroying the 90 hp yamaha on it now. Hoping to pull the plug during or after crawfish season this year. I still go pretty good with it on a jack plate.

I'd love to Tbubba but I'm gonna finish destroying the 90 hp yamaha on it now. Hoping to pull the plug during or after crawfish season this year. I still go pretty good with it on a jack plate.

you cant kill them 90 yamahas. I am wanting to go to a outboard with a jack plate.

Mine goes pretty good, when I can't go because of low water about the best thing is a long tail, of course crawfishing you tend to make a trail over time. I have trouble trying to get to some duck holes and hunting honey holes the 90 just ain't cut out for it and I've rode in the pro drive and gator tail I figure I won't be using reverse too much hunting but when I need to back up I really need to back up.