I've been looking at buying a 1854 gatortail boat / motor. But i've heard alot about surface drive motors being unreliable (mostly from people who never owned one). I do plan on using it year round. So should I be worried about buying a mud motor?

no

Where do you live, hunt, fish?

Houma, La

I deer and duck hunt mostly on private land that doesnt require a boat, but I would like something to bring the kids fishing in and maybe get on a duck hunting lease next year because the land that I duck hunt only has woodies.

If anything its the complete opposite of what u been hearing. Since I got a mud motor 6 years ago I have sworn that ill never own another outboard motor

All I have run for the past 7 years are gtr's never been left trended. I even run a fishing service out of them. No worry a bro the ones that don't have them are the ones that wish they had them

I had a lot more problems running outboards... I don't agree at all that sd's require more upkeep.

I have the 18x54 its a great size for taking the family out get one and you wont be disapointed these motors are verry dependable.

Thanks for all the replies, I def was leaning more toward a GTR surface drive (even with the neg talk from other outboard owners), but this has helped ease my mind alot.

I had the same worries. They were all gone after about 1-2 hrs tiller time. Mud motors can take a hell of a beating they are made to hit logs and stumps and be ok while an outboard will tore up.

I hunt and fish out of the bayou black area get the GTR and be done with it I towed several bass boats back to Cannon's boat launch and the fire station cause they went to shallow or hit a log. I got 400hrs on mine and not one problem at all. My rig is 3years old and still runs like the day I got it.

1854 with a GTR is a good setup for hunting and fishing.

I'm in the Houma area. If you have any questions or want a test ride, let me know.