Hey yall. I'm new to the mud motor world but am ready to get in it hardcore! I bought my first mm last summer. I currently am running a 1548 alumacraft waterfowler edition with a mud buddy 20hp lt on it and its great. Until I get into the sloppy stuff. Wonderin if any1 is running the 1756 Phowler extreme or Phowler base model boat and Wat size motor yall running. Id like to get a combo that could push myself, gear and dog close to if not into the 30mph zone and tote around 25 with at least 3-4 people and gear. I'm leaning towards the Phowler with a 36hp pro-drive because got a dealer for both thats about 30 minutes away from home. Any help would ne appreciated fellas

I got a phowler extreme and a 36 prodrive. I love the boat and have no complaints from it. They are alittle slower than other guys boats on here but are built to take punishment. Also can't beat the warranty.

Love my Phowler 1852 Extreme with stock 36 Prodrive. I get mid to upper 20s by myself, lower 20s with 2 guys, 2 dogs, blind and lots of dekes. These speeds are, however, at elevations half a mile high. I love my Phowler...it's a tank.

If you want to run a boat that big at 25 mph with 3-4 people and gear you are looking at a modded motor, IMO.

Thank ya guys. Id like to stay away from heavy mods for now cuz I just dont know a whole lot. I am thinking of exhaust, new carb, intake, etc. Mainly bolt on stuff.

I just ordered an aftermarket exhaust from a dealer today. Next is heads and then maybe Mikuni. I have been running stock mud motors since 2004. This will be my first mod job. I am with you, SCmudder...it all has to be bolt on mods. I am not cracking the block open to add anything.

Wat kinda motor are you running? I'm interested in the pro-drive mainly cuz of a dealer being so close. Would be interested in both mud buddy and gatortail cuz they seem like they have alot less to worry bout parts breaking but Idk. Like I said I'm a newby and just tryin to get some info from ppl who have been running sd's for a while. In my eyes I think mb is a great motor cuz of being belt driven but have been unable to get up with a dealer in SC? My mind is 99% made up on a Phowler boat but have looked at the grizzly tracker boats but I know their performance will be hindered in the shallow stuff cuz of the bottom.

SC, I am running a stock Prodrive 36. I have owned multiple Mudbuddy motors on previous boats. I don't think MBs are any more reliable than PDs. I just put my third season on the PD and it has not failed me. I think the incidence of drive issues (none of these brands of motors are bombproof) are probably similar in frequency to the belt and bearing issues you see on belt drive units. Frankly, anything with a clutch (Mudbuddy, Prodrive, Gatortail) can fail in that area with about the same frequency among brands. But I would never own a motor without a clutch / neutral again. And for me, I would not have a motor without Full Power Reverse.

If you are sitting the fence on a brand choice you would be well advised to factor the quality of your local dealers into your choice. These things will break and it's sometimes nice to have a dealer in your corner to get you back up running or to be your advocate in dealing with the factory.

i have 32 pd on a 1648 pd boat. the motor is slightly modded ( decked and ported heads, shimmed valves, hopkins hog exhaust and a 36 pd carb with a ported intake) the boat cruises at 33-34 mph loaded with 2 guys ( 245 and 190) dog (120) gear and 3 dozen mags and i still get 26-27 mph. this is in a short transom boat with short sides. The plans are in the works to make it a tall trans and motor, mostly to stop swamping of boat. Go out and try as many of the other manufactures as you can. Can say form experience that the phowler is a stout boat and customer service is top notch along with pd.

Thanks for the input fellars. Id like to have the full power reverse but the manual option is Wat? 400 and the auto is 1500. I'm still a youngin at the soon to be age of 22 so I think I should be able to man a push pole for a couple of years LOL.

Really?! I did not even know that cutt down! Thanks for that. Makes me think about my purchase again. Like I said I am a newbie and enjoy learning new things and that info really shocked me

heres another one fellas...ima just post on the same thread but how do the phowler boats run with a mud buddy? i have come across a jam up deal on a 08 mud buddy 35 sport that i cannot pass down. i looked at the phowler website and they was talkin about running pods on any other mm? kinda worries me cuz im on a budget from the ol lady!(like many of yall! lol) info is greatly appreciated

We selll alot of boats with PD motors, but about 30% of our customers are running MB, GD or GT motors on our hulls, they run great with any of the surface drives currently available.

Just sold two boats to guys running MB last week, one to the Iowa DNR running a Beavertail SD and one to a Gatortail owners, they all run great on our hulls.

PW

I have a Phowler Ext 1848 with a PD36 and its a great rig, and like mentioned on here built like a tank. There are faster hulls out there, but I am happy with my set up.

good looking pixs like that one in the trees

Yep, Spring floods. Normally those areas are almost bone dry in the fall.