I've been looking for some time now at both the 18hp dixie and 12hp copperhead and cant decide. Yes i understand that there is a 6 hp difference however i have read (i'm not saying i believe it or it's true) that the 12 hp copperhead will push a similar load as the 18 hp dixie. They both have decent reviews however I can't decide which one will work better. Does any one know if this is true. I have a 14 36 riveted alumacraft. Ideally I would like the motor to push this boat and 3 200lb guys (i know thats a lot for the boat but it's what i have for now) at least 17 mph. If it wont push this load 17mph how fast will it push it and is that fast enough to plain

Thanks for the advice!

mud buddy 23 mini, that 12 wont push that big of a load that fast

Why not a 18 hp copperhead?

The 18hp copperhead is a little out of my price range. Wanting to keep the price around 3000$ (sorry forgot to mention that). Maybe that's not possible. That's why I was wondering if either of these two motors will push my load. Not so worried about getting the mph as long as it will plane the boat

What do they want for the mini?

I went from 12 hp copperhead to 23 Dixie on a 1536 Jon boat. The 23 is a beast compared to the 12. Don't think ur Gunna like the 18 at all. The 12 would barely push three of us in the 1536, maybe 12-15, and together we weighed 450 at most.

Thats exactly what i was afraid of...I couldnt/didnt believe that the 12hp would push 3 people that fast...hoping that one of those peeps will comment...

Thanks for the reply...I've been juggling this question for a while...nice to receive some answers

Was the boat planed at 12-15mph? i know i said 17mph but the boat will mostly be used on the San Antonio river here in Texas where we run trot lines. The boat is needed to get to the good holes however the river is rather small and at 17 mph probably rather risky considering all the sticks. I'm more concerned with being able to get on plane...Boat ramp sucks too and will always suck because of the river rising when it rains...Another reason for the lighter/smaller options

For your boat which isnt the strongest and your price range i would buy a go devil 23 hp longtail, its $3300 and my friend has the same set up and it does pretty well. just my .02 cents.

I don't think the 12 would plane that load. In deep water it b movin bout 10 at best. My 23 is movin 2 of us a dog and hunting load 20 in deep water

So what are y'all's thoughts on the 18 hp dixie. Keep in mind I don't need to haul a$$ simply get the boat on plane

I have a 12 copperhead on a 16/42 with gun box trolling motor two batteries 6 gallon full tank and i run 17 to 18 with two people. Its for sale. $3000 obo. 25 hrs on motor. Ill ship it to you for $3000

Copperhead has got the gear ratio and prop thing figured out ... Don't under est. ! I'll bet the copperhead 12 will out run th dm 18 on the same boat ... Has anyone compared them like that

Grasshopper i'm assuming you have a 12hp copperhead... what are your thoughts on planing the boat with my setup...I honestly would prefer to get the copperhead unless the dixie will run much faster with my weight...

Also i would be willing to buy a wider boat if that would help (which i'm quite sure will) the 12 hp copperhead push my load better... is this the case and if so how wide do i need to go?

and how much weight will this add... there has got to be a line where you go from narrow and a really light boat to wide and too heavy??

Dude that 12 will push the shit out of that boat. Bring the boat and bolt on my motor and show you. Then you can just buy it and go home and raise hell

Why are you wanting to sell it??

Got an 18 kohler on the way

There's no way a 12 hp single cylinder will push the same load as a 18 twin cylinder. maybe a light load but once you start putting stuff in there's its going to fall on its face

So it sounds like I just need to quit being a cheap ass, bite the bullet and get an 18 copperhead. Any opinions on how that compares to the dixie 18?

I got two buddies with the 18 Copperheads one is on a 1536 other on a 1636 both Prowler boats they will flat out shag ass!!! And push a dam good load in them rigs!!!!

So how much weight do y'all think the 12 copperhead will plane

Or get a 23 Dixie for less money then the 18 copperhead ,Mike the new owner of Dixie has made some nice changes to his units ,check em out also the 12hp single is not as smooth as a Vtwin to run,alot more vibration thru the unit.

Prolly a piece of shit drivin lol

Ill out drive you with a eye patch and no hands. Lol. Seriously tho I think they have a cheap design especially the lower unit

I don't like the way on the copperhead that the belt housing is wide open at the top for water to get in. And their solution.....put a drain plug at the bottom of the housing. That's pretty n1gger.

Thats pretty n1gger i like that. Ive never got water in mine so i dont know but yea id go vtwin also.

Id go with atleast 42 wide .. 48 even better .. my boat is 1648 and no matter what kinda load I've had in it never had any problem with planning.... Id like to try a 1450 .. one of my hunting buds is full grown.. 6'8" 340 lbs .. with him I run 15 mph..

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'm just going to wait and get the 18 hp copperhead

Wow. I had no idea that these smaller mm would do so much damage. That's the reason I was looking at the 12 hp especially since its only 120lbs. I figured the 14 36 would at least be able to handle that much. But thanks for the heads up. I really appreciate it.

Just wondering how much beating you put it through before all of this happened. I will only need my boat to run through a few shallow spots. When I say shallow I mean about 8in so nothing too crazy. Just need to get to the good fishin holes.

That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Don't need to haul ass just need the rig to run shallow and with a shitty boat ramp I need it to be light.

I'm not saying Dixie sucks, it might of just been a onetime experience. Great motors. Not do great craftsmanship. They do have good customer service. Always repaired what was broken. Iv heArd the copperheads are good little motors, but that's too small

Ok so it's sounding like I'm going to need something bigger than the 12 hp. So would y'all recommend the 18 hp dixie or 18 copperhead or even the 23 dixie? I know you get what you pay for but it seems funny that you can get 5 more hp from dixie for approx 700$ less dollars. Is that the better way to go. Or would it be better to spend the money and get the copperhead