I've decided that once duck season is over it is time to either:

A. Do some work to my stock 08' 35 GTR including; at least stage 1 (just want more load carrying ability), new prop, new trim unit, controls on handle...

B. Sell the 08' and Buy a 2011 (or 12?) GTR 35 and have a stage 1 (at least) done to it.

I guess the work I'd do to the 08' model (even with low hours) is going to put me out quite a bit. If I'm going to do that do you think I'd be better off to put a little more with whatever it brings to sell it and have the newer motor?

How many hrs? U the one that's gotta decide...its yore ass pocket that's gonna take the hit

I've only got about 60 hours on it so the motor is in great shape.

I'm just thinking that I can get at least 4k for mine and the difference I would have to add for the upgrades (tiller controls, prop, new reverse plates = ~1k?) would go towards the 2011 model.

I was hoping that someone could make a strong argument for or against the 2011 models. I know the engine is different.

Id go with you have. Some have posted they didn't like the cdi motor

You could always just order a motor from bps and put it on the frame u have

Powerhead wise, all you will gain is a 50a charging system and spend more money on high-rev coils, not to mention void the warranty on a brand new motor.

Why not just order the reverse plate and deal with the trim switches, with 60 hours that motor isn't broken in good!

Thanks for the replies. There's some good food for thought here.

The most important thing for me is to be able to push my hunting loads at 28-ish. It needs to do it reliably because I live in an area where there aren't mudmotors that could help me out of a remote location and just because I have a low tolerance for equipment failure.

The new controls would just be convenience and I can have them rebuild my current trim unit and be fine.....so maybe ordering a BPS powerhead is the way to go? If I had trouble out of it, at least I'd having a running replacement as close as my garage. Any recommendations on which one for my purposes (or any to stay away from)?

Otherwise, I guess I'd go back to the original line of thought about sending the whole assembly to GT for an update and mo' power. Anyone care to guess about how much I'd have to unass for Hoyt to hook me up with enough reliable HP to do what I want to do?