Guys, I am an old school marsh duck hunter that utilizes a traditional OB on a flatboat and tote my pirouges to paddle into my hunting area. The idea of going mechanized 100% is getting more and more appealing each season as I see the younger guys just slipping through the mud flats as I struggle with a pushpole.

Anyway, I would like to run a 14' flat and have started looking for a used rig or engine. I have pretty much settled on either the GDSD 23 or the MB Mini 23SD. I have noticed that there are plenty GDSD 23's for sale used, but the MBSD Mini 23 is hard to come by used. Is there any reason that the GDSD's are more available? Is there an issue with these engines that people are trying to sell them shortly after buying them? Just looking for unbiased advice. Thanks.

I've had a 35 GDSD and now have a MB 35 SD. I say MB hands down

Both motors use the same powerhead, so that part's out of the equation. Neither motor offers a reverse option. The GD has less parts to break, but that's beacuse it doesn't have a neutral option either. In my honest opinion, I try to steer people away from the MB Mini Lite, because I feel like it's an inferior frame design. I had one & could not trim down deep enough to take off most of the time. There is also an issue with the frame cracking on the motor mount plate, near the transom support.

My honest preference would be a 23 LA Special. Not as lightweight as the Mini lite, but lighter than the GD. Plus, you get the added bonus of power trim & a neutral for ~ $4300.

Thanks for your input so far. I am not familiar with the "LA Special" motor. Is this a totally different brand than the GD or MB? Do they have a website(Googled: la special mud motor- nothing)? thanks.

i would go with mudbuddy

The Louisiana Special is offered by MB. Gatortail has a 23 also and they offer a model with reverse.

Just saying.

I think I am hearing that the MB is preferred overall; which brings me back to my original question regarding the GDSD. Do these engines have a distinct disadvantage over the MB? I understand they are heavier(how much?) and that they do not offer reverse, neutral, etc... But in the realm of bugetary concerns and availability; there are plenty GDSD on the market. I do not want make a mistake just because they are readily available and somewhat affordable.

Thanks again for your input.

They're all only as reliable as the last person who owned it. For the most part, GD are very reliable, but are harder to run in veggies such as hyacinth or lillies because they are more balanced than the others, which are a lil more weighted back. Most of the ones for sale are from people who realized how difficult they sometimes are to operate, not from reliability issues. I strongly advise you to go take a test drive with someone & decide for yourself which one you're most comfortable running.

i just ran my new MB 23 sport which comes with tilt and trim, for the first time today on a 1542, had 600 pounds of weight in it more than impressed with it. i think you would be happy that you got the tilt and trim plus clutch if you decided to go that route... hopes this helps!

Mud buddy all the way... Get you a clutch and power trim and the reliability of a MB.... But to tell you the truth... They're all good

a mini w/o the clutch has less parts than the gd

Get a 16'+ boat too

Can anyone tell me what the weight diff is on these 2 SD units? I know the Mini is 166#'s, but I cannot find a spec on the GDSD.

My normal travel would typically put me through some ponds that are soft mud bottom with relatively heavy coontail /widgeon grass. But since Tropical Storm LEE; the saltwater surge has killed back the coontail somewhat and in the dead of winter it won't be a factor. My needs are pretty basic and not severely challenging compared to some of you guys.

I appreciate all the advice so far; and I suppose I should debate a longer hull(16') too. Maybe the 14' would be cutting it a lil short. I use a 14' now with trad OB motor, so I assumed the 14' with mud motor would be adequate. maybe the longer hull would get better performance from the mud motor. Its all new to me guys. thanks.

with the 14ft boat you would definitly have to put weight in the front to keep it from bouncing will on plan, so a longer boat wouldnt be a bad idea.

23 hp la special

I cannot find any info on the MB LA Mud special. If i understand correctly; its got power trim and the electric clutch and is being sold for about $4200? The guy at The Boat Dr. in N.O. quoted me on the 23 Mini with the clutch for $4300 and did not mention the power trim. He doesn't stock the mini 23 and would need to order it.

Well, looks like they went up on the price to just under $4700. Here's the link to the MB pages.
For the LA Special:
http://www.mudbuddy.com/HD%20Mini%2035.htm

For the Mini Lite:
http://www.mudbuddy.com/Mini%20HD%20Lite.htm

My buddy has a 23 hp la special on a 17x52 Weldbuilt and he has no prob getting on top with three average guys and gear............he got up in four inches of water .

ok well three fat mfs with all gear got up in 4 in of water in buddy boat on plane
that better camo?

Thank you. BTW, how were your tacos?

Go with something bigger

I would say go with a 16 to 17 ft hull with as big as a motor as you can afford. But if your set on a 23 then the MB would be my choice only because we run one all the time and im partial only because of my ignorance to other brands. I would try and find a all welded hull also.