I am looking at purchasing a Mud motor for use in Alaska. Looking for feedback from folks on what they have, how it has worked, and what they would have done differently with the purchase. Pro Drive, Mud Buddy, Beavertail etc.....I will be living in the Anchorage area and use of engine would be mainly shallow rivers/streams with silt and gravel.
If there is anyone with experience in regards to which works better in gravel, or what gravel gaurd has the best or worst results throw that in too?

Thanks for you time

you need to look up stualaska or send him a pm. He runs a godevil surface drive up there.

Have you concidered a jet drive for the rivers????

I have used Yamaha jet drives on many of the rivers, lakes, and in the sound. I am moving back up there and looking at a smaller rig for the rivers and streams. Will use a Larger boat for Sound use. When I lived up there before, MB, GD, and PD where gaining some popularity...Wanted to see where folks had used them and liked them or loved them in each of the different manufacturors products.

i say a mm will out proform a jet drive hp 2 hp any day. plus when you hit a rock with the mm it will kick up, a jet will at best send you to the welding shop or cost for a new housing.

i run with a friend who has a 40 hp jet. i have a 23 mini. both on the same boat. i will run him down all day, and i still havent found a place he can go that i cant.

i would say the only limiting factor would be hp. 35 or 36 stock hp = 60 to 90 hp jet. if you need more then jet may be your only choice.

local guy has an 18' gdsd boat w/ 35 gdsd. the boat runs good. has lots of room and carries a good load. if thats enough boat i would go that route.

im learning a little about the different manufactures. gdsd seems to be a little slower but carries the load. dont know much on hands about pd and gt but the guys here can steer you on them.

All of these mud motors are good products. I can say that i hunt a stump field and run over solid as nails timber with the Go Devil surface drives and never have broke a thing. I have had my 23 surface drive in a rocky river in north mississippi and it did great. A good solid get you home on time product.

for the rivers and stuff you're going to be driving on, I'd think a GoDevil Surface Drive would be a great choice. Plus, I don't know where you live, but there's a GoDevil dealer in Wasilla.

I run a Prodrive and love it but have also owned Mudbuddy Hyperdrives. The Hypers have a pretty simple rock guard that does not interfere with water through the prop and does not catch weeds. They also have a floating handle that is handy for if you are constantly whacking underwater stuff, causing the motor to kick up.

Prodrives are weighted to the back as are Mudbuddy Sport hypers but I think some Mudbuddy designs and maybe the Go Devil Surface Drive are more balanced weight motors. This is nice if you find yourself all of a sudden going over a very shallow gravel bar and you want to pick the motor up versus letting it bang the gravel and kick up.

Since you will not be as concerned with mud or weeds where weighted back motors help keep the prop down, a more balanced design would work well for you.

you can also call PD there are several dealers up there form what i understand

On the MB forum there is a guy- Bogydave that runs way up river in a MB35. Posts pics of elk, bear, and other stuff he kills up there. Seems to work well for him.

I've been running GD's in Alaska since 1988. Most of my time is spent on interior rivers with hard bottoms, but I've been in Prince William sound and the Sag just south of Deadhorse. I spend a lot of time on the Yukon and its tributaries fishing pike and sheefish and a normal trip is 300 to 400 miles over 3 to 7 days time. I like the fuel economy, reliability and the ability to push a big load in very shallow water. I run a 24 X 48 Alweld with an aluminum and lexan cabin that sleeps two comfortably out of the bugs and rain. I have run jets, airboats, outboards with props and hovercraft. My choice is a mudmotor. There is a new GD dealer in the Anchorage area that I recommend you contact. He will definitely give you a demo ride if you are interested. Here is his contact information, but don't get him started on fishing or hunting if the call is on your dime. Let me know if you are ever in the Fairbanks area. stu

Anchorage Go Devil
www.anchorage-go-devil.com
Don Lietzau 907-227-4261

Flak Mover, The water is just starting to go soft here in my area so it's a bit early in the season but when you get into the Anchorage/ Wassilla area give me a yell. I would be happy to take you out for a test ride on my 1848 and 35 HP SD.
Don Lietzau
Anchorage Go Devil
www.anchorage-go-devil.com
907-227-4261

Don and Stu, Thanks for your time. I will be calling Don when I get up there. Thanks for all of your time and experience on the matters. All of the others who gave input thanks a lot too.

Enjoy breakup

I live in the interior and run a PD36 and run jets at work. Mud motors are great if you are planning on hunting on some of the mucky/weedy marshes. If you are going to spend most of your time on the river, get a jet.