Just curious what yall's opinions are on comparing an outboard engine to surface drive engine. I am considering the two for a shallow water boat, specifically for Salt Water fishing in South Louisiana, probably a Gator Trax. I am somewhat new to surface drives but hear good things about the Gator Tail GTR. I know the surface drives will be slower, but I don't want to have to worry about getting in/out of small ponds etc, for Reds.




Thanks

Thanks guys

For a lot of years I fished outboards super shallow, it's my real passion I guess, but once I tried the surface drive them fishes have really had it bad. Seriously consider your needs though because the differences between the two are night and day. One thing for sure is that if you go with a sd there will be places that you can fish that you wouldn't with an outboard. If your wanting any type of comparison the only FISHING setup with an OB that MIGHT BE useable would have to be a tunnel hull shoal boat setup. Even that type of setup will not perform worth a toot in heavy vegetation or mud. If I could do what I want with an outboard I would, but most folks don't drive their Camaro when they go off road riding either.

I have been looking at the Gator Trax Big Water Edition. Just curious how shallow I can safely run/fish with hydraulic jack plate. I typically try to stay in 8 inches to 1 foot of water. I hear the boat will draft less than a half foot.

Surface drive all the way. Once you have it and see the places it will get you access to vs an outboard you won't look bad. That is long as you can handle the slower speeds in deep water.

X2. on Both. It is a night and day comparison, but the gains of a surface drive far out way their negative. The biggest being the speed. Though speed is relative to the conditions you are running.

×3 .. I was is the same predicament as you but went with the SD i figured no water pumps to worry about.

going to a SD is like going from 2 wheel drive truck to a 4 wheel drive truck, yea you can get to a lot places with a 2 wheel drive truck but a 4x4 can get you a lot more places and back

Don't want to hijack the thread but I think this is along the same line. Do you guys that run saltwater have corrosion issues with the surface drives, specifically GTR's in my case?

GTR during hunting season and for the rides... 50HP Tohatsu for all other times.... I run a mini jack plate and it works well.

Run 100% saltwater. Wrap the plug wires & plug boots with electrical tape to prevent the spray from grounding out your engine. Use corrosion-x BEFORE u go to build up a layer that salt will not stick to.

X2 ^ corrosion x and electrical tape is your friend. I replace the electrical tape from time to time.

I always ran outboards too and went with a prodrive and absolutely love it. I hate that im selling out but ill get another one day. you also need to consider what the bottoms are like in the area that your wanting to run shallow in. if its sandy or clay or any kind of hard mud/bottom get an outboard with a jet. if everything you run is muddy you'll be extremely happy with a SD. just make sure you look at everything before you make an ivestment like that.

EMF 20x60x24 all 3/16 drafts about 1 foot love the comfortable ride. Had 17x50 gator Trax with 35 gtr stage 2 ran great just got tired of it being in shop lost to much hunting time.

Nice set up ! I'd just use an outboard if I could but won't get me to my blind or some of the fishing spots I like to go too. If I could use an outboard I'd definitely like a sweet rig like that ! Endless I missed it how fast does that 150 push that boat ?

52 so far haven't ran it enough to get it figured out with Jack plate and trim yet.

You ought to be able to get a little more out of it. Probably not 60, but should be closer.

Yea only turning 5400 rpm engine should run 5700 to 6200 might have to re prop it running 19 inch now.

Thanks for the tip. Is the liquid electrical tap hard to remove if need be ?

Never really had to take it off. It depends what type of connection you're talking about. It pretty much amounts to coating everything with a thin layer of silicone.