I've been around for a while now reading, learning and admiring alot of boats you guys have here. Recently I aquired a rivet hull from my FIL, 1436 to be exact. Through a few hands I have a trailer that I redone and looks almost new. Next is a motor.
I'm not looking to do any mud riding. Not looking to break and speed records either. I really don't want a OB cause I'm worrie about the skeg and don't want to deal with all the grass. I really don't want a longtail. I'm looking for a SD.
Also this boat will be given to my son. Next year after I pay a few loans off, I will be getting something for myself that is bigger.
Searching around I found Copperhead MFG. They have a small SD that ,I think, would be just right. It's 6.5hp and is 80lbs. It also fits my budget. I've been in contact with them and they have something in the works for a bit bigger engine package.

What is the best thing to do? Anyone have one of the Copperhead MM? Would you get one if that was all you could get for your boat size?
Just looking for some advice. Thanks in advance.

what is your budget?

Well considering I will most likely borrow the money from the bank or put it on my CC, 2-3k for new is about the most I could go.
Why what you got?

MB has a 14hp for under 3k...

Seen that. GT say they have an 18 also, but the dealer here says the 18 isn't available. So I won't believe the website. I guess I need to call a dealer.
I looked on MB's site, can't find much info on the 14. Also they say it weighs 165. Is that not too heavy for a 1436?

i wasn't asking cause I had something, but rather cause if everyone knows your budget they might know of something that fits you budget and boat...

are you set on new? i would think you can find a good used one for that budget pretty easy...

Here is one right here...

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=

and i think there are some more on here if you look around...

could easily find a long tail for that boat for less money than that, but sound like you are wanting a sd.

whatever you do, you need to beef that transom up.....

good luck

I need to beef up even if I go with something that weighs less than 100lbs and is less than 10hp? Even if I went with an OB I would have to beef up the transom?

Just a recommendation, you don't have to do anything. You will probably put a lot more stress on the transom with the mm than you would with an outboard. Even if the two motors are the same weight.

your gonna pay a few loans off and buy a bigger boat next year? but in the mean time your looking to buy a motor on credit?? here is my tip...quit blowing $$ like a n!gger on payday and pay your loans off. then buy something that really suits you when your out of debt. this country is fuckd enough as it is, bc of d!pshits buying crap they cant afford.

as far as transom goes, if you are in fact going to put a little mm on it, you may be fine. the point is that the mm will put a lot more torque on the transom and in a different way than the ob. Most old riveted 1436's wont take it for long and you will start to have problems so just plan on beefing it up from the start.

based on your $ situation (cc or bank loan), your budget, AND the boat you are putting this thing on, I would just look for a smaller used LT (16 hp or so-you can find them for less than 1k). That is a great little package that will get you on the water, get you to where you need to go, and allow you to hunt. It won't be a speed demon (but neither will the 6.5 you are talking about). Is that the ideal situation? no, but since you you don't have unlimited funds (does anyone?) then you have to make do for a year or so until you can work on getting you the package you really want. Then you will actually have a decent little starter package to pass on to your son, or sell and probably get most if not all of your money back out of it.

just my .02.

good luck with it. let us know what you wind up doing....

caddo, thanks for that reply. Makes tons of sense.

You mention a small LT. I've never driven one. I've been around outboards all my life and the SD setups seem to look like they would drive/operate like a OB. I guess for the hull I got I may have to start looking at LTs.

I have a 16gdlt and love it. easy to run for your size boat i imagine. highly recommend em

16 LT are tough lil boogers too. Few yrs ago, I blew up my ob in mid-season, so I borrowed my BIL's 16 hp. I had a 1552 rivited jon at the time and we used that lil motor to finish out the season and actually got to hit spots that we normally couldn't. I'd say go for that, since you plan to replace it next yr anyhow.

Yeah, I didn't recomend the LT cause it sounded like you were set on the sd. The longtails are workhorses. A 16 would be a great little motor for your set up, used to run a 13 and it was fine. Lil bro is running a 16 now and its working great too. There is a 16hp LT for sale in the classifieds for 1200 bucks...

drunk post...never a good idea. sorry about that.

how much are those little copper heads? if the price was right, that wouldd be a good one.