I am an avid duck hunter with no experience in mud motors. I recently bought a 13ft. Duck Wrangler II, layout style boat. Through a friend, who is the GM of a Briggs and Stratton Plant and knows someone in the mud motor industry in Asia, I received 5 completely built long-tail mud motor shafts. All I need is a motor and throttle controls. Once built, I am sure I will have plenty of questions, but for now here is my first question.

My Question?

How big of an engine do I need to push this boat with the long-tailed shaft?Which Briggs Engine would be best for this application?

what kind of load you plan on pushing? a friend of mine has a 23 on a 14ft and it does fine

Not much, two men and a couple doz. Seles, guns and bags. 650 to 700lbs.

650 to 700# is kind of a lot for a 13 ft skiff but id still say at max no more than 23 or so hp

I had a 27hp mud buddy longtail wit a 14 ft alum boat and it'd run on decent with a load and deeks. maybe 15mph im guessin, but id say you'd be very happy with a 23 vangaurd engine on that size boat.