New guy here from South Texas, and new to mud motors. The majority of our fishing is shallow sand and grass flats, but I've started venturing into some of the refuges and muddy crap to get away from the crowds. We usually fish in less than 12" of water, and always sight cast to redfish.

I'm wanting to try something different and would like y'alls opinions. I have a fiberglass/kevlar poling type skiff. It's 18 feet long, but very narrow and weighs about 250 lbs with the 15hp Yamaha on it now. It drafts about 3" at rest, and poles through 6" with 2 guys. The 15 pushes it low-20's mph with 1 guy, slightly less with 2. Speed isn't a concern. Just getting into skinny water and back out again is. With my current set up I can't run in less than 15".

I've been wanting to add a mud motor for certain applications, but most are too heavy for the boat. I talked with Gil at Copperhead and am thinking hard about using his 6.5 SD. I think it would work, but don't know for sure.

Sorry so long-winded, but wanted to get some of the details on here. Here are some pics of the boat if it helps.

few more shots...i did add a manual jackplate

my concern is more about could the 6.5 push the boat well enough to get into, through and out of nasty crap than about speed

thanks, y'all

last one, thanks

The copperhead website has many video on it. I think you can draw your own conclusion from them.

Other than that, I can tell you that this past Saturday, me, my brother and my son went for a ride. We found some skinny water about 6 inches deep. Didn't break any speed records but I can tell you the boat is faster in shallow water than deep water.

Not knockin the 6.5, but why wouldn't ya go for more hp? Copperhead also has a 14 hp, MB has 9, 14 & 18 hp options on Mini Lite frames.

Take it down to their shop and put one on there for a demo. There aint no one here that can tell you how that rig would run. Its anyones guess. Those Copperheads seem to run good but your hull is something totally different that what they are normally run on. IMO that 6.5 will have you pushing your hull out of the chit more than running in it.

hang a 23 on it and give it hell. theres enough lenth to hold it.

That is a light skiff - 250lbs with motor!! Shat I could bench press that damn thing!! Never owned a flats boat, I had no idea some were that light! Throw that 6.5 on and go for a test run. If you don't like it move up. I would guess you would want more.

Camo, Copperhead doesn't have a 14 yet.
Also, you might want to call MB and see if they still offer those small HP motors. Last I heard they weren't. GD doesn't offer their small HP SD anymore. I asked a dealer abotu the 16 GDSD. No go.


Chops, you jumped on that oppertunity pretty quick didn't you?

My mistake, sure thought ol boy at the LA Mud Run had a 14 on one of the boats. As far as MB, they still advertisin the small motors, but I don't have any use for one, so I haven't checked on em. Sorry if I gave out any bad info.

hows it run wit the 15 yama? i still think it would float and be bad ass with a 23 mini

had a buddy with a knock off genoe and a v twin lsgd it worked

With those tall sides there is a chance that boat could handle a 35hp sd. The godevil rep here in Houston runs a 18'x 38" godevil boat with 16" sides (I'm pretty sure about the width it could be a little wider but I don't think so). If your willing to spend that much I would definately look into one. A 23hp would draft very little and perform great with that little bit of weight.

Slar a 33HP GTR Generac on it. Weighs the same as a 23 or 25 motor.

If I canned this idea and went with a 16 GD longtail and a basic used 15 or 16 foot 36" or 48" bottom jon to save $$$, could I expect decent enough performance? I mean 2 (maybe 3 guys) light loads, short distances?

I just want to be able to push through shallow mud and grass when needed - not run wide open across some of the crazy mud flats I've seen in the videos like you Pros.

This wouldn't be used too often, so I don't want to get too caught up in high $$ gear, especially since I already have another boat.

Thanks

One problem you may run into with the Surface drive or longtail is going to turning radius. With the poling platform you may have some issues.

As for the comments on hangin a 35 on it is prolly a weight issue. The more weight on the back along with someone on the platform the deeper its going to sit in the water.

Not sure what to tell you cause its only gonna be a guess, as with most of what has already been posted. This is NEW territory! I believe Beavertail Skiffs used to make a flats boat with a mudmotor option. You might try looking it up on the net and see what you can find. Good Luck keep us posted!

ide still try the 23 on it. you may like how it runs. ill bet you will be able to get up in alot less water than the yamaha does. you may get a little more speed out of it. still think a mini would be the one. light and you have a push pole so reverse wont hurt you. you could sell tthe yamaha and recoupe some money

East cape! Good choice!! I run an ipb with a 23 gator tail, lemme tell ya, get more power than you think bc the more v you have the more power you will née to get a MM on a good plane. I would suggest the MB 18. It might be a lil heavier but you'll be able to slide straight mud. It may take from your draft slightly but I can still pole 6" dead in my inshore! Use the search and look for my problems with gtr post to see what I mean

Got the word on the small motor MB motors, straight from Mr Foreman himself. They are still available, but are a special order item only.

One problem you may run into with the Surface drive or longtail is going to turning radius. With the poling platform you may have some issues.


that would be a good thing. with a boat that skinny i dont think you would want to crank it to wide.