I've narrowed it down to a Pro-Drive 36 (Auto Reverse) and GTR 35. I'm wondering what motor might work best for what I am going to be doing with it. The boat will run mostly shallow water 6" to 2 feet with Grass, weeds marsh, and not a whole lot of mud. It will be used for duck hunting. There will be a fair amount of open water runs to get to the marshes. I'm not buying the reverse option for strictly getting me unstuck. This option will be used more for picking up decoys, backing off of banks and normal motor duties.

What brand might best suit what I am going to use it for.

I'm on the fence and need someone to push me to one side...

The GTR seems more "User" friendly with the instant reverse and given the motor will be used more like a "normal outboard" this makes sense.

I do like the FPR of the Pro-Drive and the gears but is the time it takes to engage the FPR going to be a pain in the butt for what I use it for.

Probably the gtr for your needs but either one is good

Why do you say you"can't test drive"? you will make a much more informed decision and the wait for the new motor wont drive you as crazy if you know you got whats best for your needs.

Gator tail

Your talking about spending a good bit of money.. My best advise to you is to go and make sure that your dropping $7000 on what you truely want.. There has to be some sort of way to get a few test drives in.. Honestly.. You should just rule all the other motors out and choice either gator tail or pro drive because your gonna want reverse..

If one of your main reasons for reverse is getting deks, then instant reverse it is!!

Get the gator tail

^^ Agreed. I have a PD and wouldn't have er any other way but fer pickin up deeks I use my bow mount troller cause there's no way I'm gonna ratchet the motor 20 times. I use mine ta get unstick after I ram into a pile a cattails so I need the FPR.

I've never needed reverse for picking up decoys, just start on one end of the spread and float to the other, make a couple passes and you're done

I've never used the boat to pick up decoys?

Other than using the instant reverse at a boat ramp, I would choose a PD. It handles more "outboard like" with less tiller torque and easier turning abilities. The PD has a much more efficient reverse, I wouldn't say PD reverse is better for getting unstuck but if you run to the end of a creek too narrow to turn around in or pull the boat into a thick clump of weeds, PD will get you outta there.

They are both good motors, and you will make the call in the end.
What kind of boat are you putting it on?

Flip a coin. Then it is fate. That is how I live my life.

I would go with a Briggs.

for what you describe no doubt the gator tail would fit you better. it makes picking up the blocks from the boat pretty easy plus when your buddies are the ones picking em up all you gotta do is drive and no cold hands . pulling from the banks, docks backing out of the blinds, works great. based off what you said you do you will be more than satisfied with a gtr

Hell just go wit the GTR and you will love it cuz u won't know the difference.

What the fuck would I want up walk for when I can drive

I would go gtr for the instant reverse and tighter turning radius. I can nose my 18 footer to a tree, turn the tiller all the way, put it in gear and the thing turns so tight the motor will never hit the tree. Dam thing turns inside its own length. Prodrive may have a much stronger reverse, but it needs a half football field to turn around.

^ Wrong.

The PD turns on a dime too.

Your dimes are alot larger than my dimes then.

I say post all y'all videos to help this guy out and go prove all your theory's!! I Want to see the video of side by side comparisons were the fpr out shined the Gtr reverse!! I will let y'all go first them I will post mine good luck!!

^^Lmao^^

No takers!! Video's please

Post them up Terry! Although, ive yet to put the gtr in anything the pro drive couldent handle.. They both seem like good motors to me.. I like the instant reverse over fpr tho

Terry, outa curiosity, are ya sayin the gator tail is better in reverse vs. the PD? I ain't never seen a gator tail up here so I haven't a clue how they do in reverse comparison.

I hunt in some places it's only a inch of water, but you sink past your nuts in the mud, that's why I use my boat to pick them up.