The width of my boat is 42". Since I got it Tuesday I have been really working 14-16 hrs a day except yesterday which I still pulled down about 10 hrs until mid night. So I have not had a chance to read up and look it over. One thing I know I am changing is the throttle handle, it is short and uncomfortable to me. Going to go with a more motorcycle style brake/clutch handle.

Will let yall know more as I know more.

Man I'd love to try that thing out on my 18 x 48 longtail hunt deck boat. I bet it would fly.

10-4, Cajun! I don't want to go narrower than 48" because I like the stability and I am not small and lilke my creature comforts and I like plenty of room for hunting and fishing. What is it like with the hunt deck to turn and operate the LT? I did not think it was a good match.
KCM, I thought the SLT came equipped with twist throttle?
I salute your hard work, I finish my school day both physically and mentally exhausted, and that is after doing a brisk 5 mile walk before school. I'll be there in the marsh before sunup for sure!

I switched my SLT to a BPS throttle and cable like on my short tail like it even better on the SLT. Little pricey since you have to buy a new cable. My motor with the short plastic lever.

A hunt deck to give it lift? I'm not following.

I'd like to try the Backh2o hull with the pods. I don't have narrow trails like in a cypress swamp or flooded timber in other places so I don't need the tight turning ability. To tell you the truth, my 27 Kohler is about ideal except I could use another 3 mph thus the hope MB will market a 27 SLT down the road. The added weight of the 35 and a heavy hull is a liability most years down here. Thanks for the video, Cajun!

Little more load today. Still 2 people, added 85lb dog, dozen or so decoys, hunting bags, dog platform - tweaked the cavaitation plate some more - 23 mph in the shallow muck. I was not disappointed and I am sure I will still find another mph or two before long.

I would not short myself on HP. If boat can handle 35 then go for it.

I still need to take some pictures of it running and of course the clutch for others.

That's rolling pretty good for a long tail, can't wait to see pics.

I like that hunt deck inda. Did you get any more speed when you welded it on?

I found another mph with out changing a thing. Actually hit 24.7 with the GPS today using the long tail like a surface drive. Let it half prop the water but damn you cannot hold it in the position for long. Kind of got to use it like a nitro hit. Also figured out it runs better with two people instead of one, probably does more with weight distribution getting the bow down and transom up.

I will try to get my rider to do a short film on the phone Wednesday if we hunt.

Please do, I would love an unbiased video of the slt.. Thanks for posting

Inda can you send me some pics of your boat?

Thanks inda that hunt deck looks like what I need.

I should have bought an 1848 rivetted jon back when they were available in an open hull configuration without bench seats. Now a 35 on that would be cool. My friend's old weather beaten Lowe 1648 .072 gauge rivetted with a 25 Kohler LT gets 18.3 mph with three 200# hunters and gear. This is via GPS and I know because I was barely keeping up with them in my 1648 by myself! His motor is 15 years old! The only changes on his motor are he tweaked the throttle advance and put steelflex on the bottom. I imagine on a full 18' hull flat bottom pods or a hunt deck would be counter-productive?

I ran a GD 35 for three years dont tell me that a long shaft wont whoop your ass. I have taken my share of licks from a long shaft now I run a PD 36.

I've been running LT's since 1986 and sure they require some exertion but the real whooping I got from that first outboard, an Evinrude 25 that started in gear and threw my butt out the back and luckily I managed to reach the stop button- it also whooped my wallet way more than all my LT motors combined! No way I will never buy a conventional outboard again. A short tail is not needed where I run and costs way more and is less reliable albeit it is easier to drive. I'm not complaining, the shoulder hurts more from the onset of arthritis than anything else. Anyway this is the longtail forum and I could care less about what any shortail, blowboat, jet, hovercraft, or conventional outboard owner thinks. I like my glorified lawnmower engine.

Guys I have 15 hrs on my SLT now and have no doubt some day it will give me a lick but I have ran a lot of longtails from 23-35 and this is by far the smoothest and easy to run. I have hit stumps at WOT and no damage to me ! Ran deep mud 6in water last Sunday left 2 friends stuck pushing one a LT the other a short shaft think a lot of it is the boat vs motor it just slides along when I lean on it

Good news, 4rivers! Keep us posted on any modifications you make. I have read a report already where the owner is changing out the twist grip throttle because he does not like it. If you advance the throttle a few hundred rpm I wonder if this will get you another 2 mph? What about the easy on/off hex hub prop design? Is the motor transom mount a clamp-on type or did you have to drill into the transom? What kind of oil/grease recommendation from MB? Is the muffler SS or is that extra $? My Kohler 27 came with RC12 YC plugs- what comes with the 35 and do you also gap it at .030? I don't see on the the website any mention of prop pitch or availability of alternate props- I mean there is a difference if you run at 6,000' altittude or sea level right? Since there is gear reduction via a belt no need for a U joint- what kind of adjustment will you have to make other than tighten belt tension and how easy is that to do? Does the motor have the full swivel feature- figure you could make a belt change if that broke in the field or with the clutch. If the clutch broke could you still run? Sorry to be so inquisitive but I am curious like hell! The oil plug on my Kohler sits atop the bottom plate and changing oil you have to be careful not to spill- is this any easier on that Briggs? I have thought of adding a small extention and elbow with a plug to make that easier.

4Rivers, what hull are you running your SLT on?

Any idea on the weight of the 35 SLT?

My hull is a 17X54 gatortrax GT guide model. I run the double platinum plugs Mud Buddy rec on their site. My prop is 9in I had to req the smaller prop when i ordered. Mount is clamp on Guys at gatortrax put bolt thru when they mounted. I changed the throttle on mine to a BPS stainless you have to buy a new cable but worth it. Oil is 5-30 Royal Purple

Thanks! Sorry for pestering you. So what was it you did not like about the stock throttle (twist grip?) it came with? I have been only used to the lever type like on most longtails- seems like it would be easier to set it and forget it while running as opposed to gripping for steering and having to also apply pressure for throttle. I also found the smaller 9x6 prop works better with my 27 than the 9x7 it is rated for. I imagine that GT hull weighs at least 500#? I still have to try to find an 18' @400#, no gun boxes, with flotation, open hull. Keep us posted!

The stock throttle was not twist I dont think twist would be user friendly on a LT. It is a plastic lever little short and I have broke 2 on my Hyper before I made the switch to stainless BPS. You can see them on MB online store. I never really ask Kent the weight of my boat other than its heavy it has no floation but has built in winch, earth anchor etc always in the boat. Plus my 4rivers 8ft or Momarsh 12ft no doubt its heavy but I seem to go places lighter boats cant. The front rake and smooth bottom make a big diff

10-4, 4rivers! I agree a twist type would be problematic. I hope you give MB your input because seeing as they did so much testing on the SLT, they should upgrade the lever. I know the Gatortrax boats are solid, just too heavy for my "neighborhood". I know the less draft offsets the weight somewhat but we usually have less water than surplus most years, and with the hard bottom, the LT is a great fit. I'm thinking with a relatively lightweight 17-18' hull, I might get by with a 27 SLT if it ever is produced.