My boat is nearing completion and I'm still debating the mud motor. I have narrowed it to Pro drive or go devil simply because I have dealers for both within an hour of me and if I need service I can get it. Well, that and a buddy has a GD and my boat builder like PD.

I'll be using the boat in open water when running, working sand bars and the occasional oyster bar.

What I've learned so far:
They are both good engines.
It's a ford/chevy thing.

The go devil has a belt, the PD has gears
The PD has Neutral and reverse, the GD doesn't

The GD is horizontal, the PD is vertical. (what's the advantage either way here?)


I can't find the weight of the X36 PD, anyone know?
The GD is listed at 280 I think.

Anyway, I'm still saving my pennies but I'm getting real close. I'm not gonna get into the "which is best" deal although I would like opinions from those who have experience with both.

Also more info and/or pros-cons all appreciated.
Thanks.

Drive your buddies GD and see if you can set up a demo with the Prodrive dealer near you and decide for yourself. Personally i think having the neutral and reverse is a must have.

No brainer. Buy da one wit reverse and neutral.

The weight on the PD is about 30 or so #'s more. This weight is brought upon due to the gears and reverse components.

X2 on the neutral and reverse. If you have time, we can arrange a demo ride in South La.

MudBuddy is finally gonna put their reverse on the market in January 2011. Or was it 2015, I cant remember now but it will be released real soon if you can wait. Just a couple more months............ Get the one with nuetral and reverse.

first off i beleave having a dealer near you is a good reason to buy one or the other. if you can, when you get your boat, demo both on your boat. try to take to where you are going to run and demo it there. that way you can see how each works in the exact conditions you will use it in.

as for neutral and reverse- if you need them you need them. if you dont then they are additional options that you may use. i like the k.i.s.s. of the motors. this in no way is a down on pd, but they have more parts. not that those parts break but that there are more parts to break. if you need reverse and neutral then you need them. if not why risk the possibility of extra parts to break. as for the gd its seems to be a solid motor set up, if you dont need reverse and neutral. less parts- ill bet no one has ever broken a reverse or neutral on a gdsd ! no one ever broke a trim unit on a gdsd ! no one ever broke a gear set on a gdsd. but again if you need reverse and neutral you wont get them on a gdsd.

find out what you will need out of the motor and go from there. you are talking about two motors that are about as far apart in enginering as they come. gd very simple w/o any extras. pd probally the most complex sd out there with the most options to offer. both doing what they were made to do.

I will agree that the gd has less to break but I'd do the PD just because of ease of operation compared to the GD.

Demo them both. The biggest difference in handling is the way the frame is weighted- the GD a balanced model made to lift up the prop easily, the PD weighted back for ease of driving and digging. Neutral and momentary forward are VERY nice to have.