Posted this on the LT side and not getting many responses so I will try here.

So I have posted on here before about a year ago when I was thinking about purchasing a MM for my gheenoe. Then it happened, my little Bobbin's put me in hospital debt and I had to put the whole thing on hold. Well now, I am back at looking at one of these Backwater motors. My gheenoe is not a normal gheenoe. It's 16 foot long and 4'6 Beam the transom does not go back to being narrow in the least bit. Dry hull weight of the boat is 350 lb's and will be running at most 3 people, but the majority of my hunting is me and another. I do not know if this matters but about 4 feet of the back of the boat is filled with foam and really does not sit in the water back heavy.

Right now I have a 2014 Suzuki 4 stroke on the back that I use for the Mosquito Lagoon motor weighs in at around 250 lb's. I purchased a Cherry Picker to be able to switch motors for duck season when I hit the St. Johns. I am not looking at the mud flats, stump jumping, rocks, and what not but I want to push through the vegetation and get where the ducks will be. Lots of these areas my boat floats but the water intake and prop get matted to the point I stop. Some of the guides down here have flat skiffs that were in the 40-60k range and I still go where they do with my gheenoe. (I love the boat)

I had contacted Backwater about the transom height being 20" and he said the 71" shaft would work on the boat and also recommended the 23 vanguard instead of the 35. What input can you guys give me on things I should know. I am not looking to set speed records with a long tail just to take it where I can get the birds.

I'd go with the 35..especially If your not runnin mud and stumps where draft would be a make or break deal. If it's just vegetation and some shallow water your running thru then get as much horsepower as possible. "There's no replacement for displacement"

Get some gator glide too


Sent from my tree stand

Okay so lets say, I can't convince the wife for another $1k. What performance should I expect with the 23? 23 is also a bit lighter.

I had a similar set up a couple years ago. The one thing to take in to account is your new total length. Add 72" to a 16 ft boat and you are now 21ft. If you run a mangrove trail to a dead end you've got a problem.

Yes I did. Just food for thought. That 23 is gonna move nicely.

LOL....I did that with my outboard in a tight spot on a lake. It sucked, but at least then I had reverse. So you think the 23 will do okay I am hoping with me and another and small duck load out around low 20's

Yep, just got of the phone with them today. I am ordering my 35 LS tomorrow when I get back from shooting ducks. I was told 23 would be a little small. He wanted me to take pictures and update him on how this motor works with this hull and might come down in Feb to take a ride if we can work it out. I will let you guys know when it's up and running. Order tomorrow and was told it should be here mid next week.

Awesome man, from what I hear the folks at backwater will take good care of you . IMO big block longtails are bad ass.

Your gonna love the 35. Looking forward to the review.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've drove DELTA1389's SWOMP 35, awesome tiller


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well now I am on the edge of my seat. Swomp 35 coming in review to come.