New to mud motors, not new to boating. I have a 1648 Polar Kraft modified V welded boat. I originally was going to just buy a new rig, but I think the boat will handle a mud motor. I can't seem to find a whole lot of info on the internet about my boat other than it has .100 aluminum and pretty sure max HP is 25. I don't want a heavy motor, so I've been looking mainly at long tails around 23-27 HP, but saw that Mud Buddy makes a SD w/ a 27 HP that's lighter than the long tails. I would guess my outboard weighs about 110-120, and can't imagine another 50-80 pounds would be a detriment, but I'll let the experts weigh in. I probably get about 23-25 mph empty with the outboard, and I'm not really looking forward to the LT's lack of speed, but it's not a rocket as it is.

I would greatly appreciate anyone's advice who has some experience with this type of setup. I'm looking to buy used, but might fork up the extra cash for a new motor if I have to. Also, I hunt mainly marshes and occasionally I'll get on a river. I'm in MO.

Here's a few pictures...

Transom from the inside...

One more...

I know a guy that runs a 35 mb with mods on one. it slowly breaks the boat up a lil at a time.

Beef up your transom

Ill send pics of mine for an idea on how to do it

I agree, beef up your transom and roll.

Just make sure the transom angle and height are right for the motor you choose.

I can definitely appreciate the transom idea - not quite sure how that will work but I had a rotten transom once on another boat and it drove me insane. I feel like a 27 is the minimum, but with a 16 inch transom, I'm afraid a 225 pound 35 horse will be almost too much.

I've got a 35 with mods that I run on a 1650 mod vee welded and it runs like a scalded dog. I get 33 mph with two guys and coolers. But when i'm loaded with 3 guys, gear a dog and 4-5 dozen weighted keel decoys it gets on step but it takes a bit longer with that heavy load.

I ended up beefing up my transom as well. I welded a 1/2 x 6 x 18 6061 aluminum plate with 2 - 1 x 2 x .125 wall tubing on an angle to the longitudinal runners. It doesn't flex at all now it's very rigid. I do have to watch how I stop as water will come over the transom. I will tell you this and heed the warning. She turns like a dump truck wide open in skinny water so be prepaired. I will be getting a true mud hull eventually with a hunt deck to get that gosh awefull tiller handle the hell out of the boat.
Smoke