Grumman Sport Boat mud motor needed

[Mark W]

I'd add one more comment. With a boat the sie you have, and electric start is almost a must have. They are about
$60-85 on Amazon. Without it, to pull start it you almost have to be outside of the boat. It is awkward at best turning the mud motor sideways while keeping the prop out of the water and then trying to pull start it.

Mark

 

[Mark Davenport]

Mark,

Thanks so much for that video. Made me a lot more comfortable with the thought of a mud motor on the sportboat. One more question though!
What was the deciding feature that turned you to the PPF?

Hi Geoff,
I watched a lot of videos, asked questions on mud motor sites and did a lot of reading on the different sites. Years ago I had a Scavenger mud motor on a Bankes Intruder, I didn't like the motor with the hoop handle and ended up selling them both. So Scavenger was not an option, I also didn't want a longtail so that left the Backwater Swamp Lite or the PPF Wood Duck. I only found (1) video of the Swamp Lite being assembled by a guy here in Michigan, and he never responded to my questions. I also couldn't find a video of anyone running a 55" S.W.O.M.P LITE (AKA SNEAK LITE, optimal for sneak and layout boats). But there were plenty of videos for the PPF. I also called and talked to the owner and he and his friend both have Grumman Sport Boats with Wood Ducks on them. He manufactures them himself and it's the only kit he makes. I also went with the Honda from him instead of a Predator because I have a Honda on a 30 year old power washer and has never given me a problem. The Scavenger also had the same Honda and it ran strong as well... it was just a personal choice.

Weight wise I think both the Swomp lite & PPF are the same depending on the motor you go with. Overall length is similar I think as well. I have videos of my assembly, wiring the electric start, trailering mods as well as things I did to raise the motor so it swings into the boat etc. I just need to edit and post it to YT, hopefully soon.
I must also add, if there were more assembly and usage videos of the Backwater SL I may have went with that as well, it looks like a quality kit. But the (1) video I saw of the SWOMP LITE being assembled looked more complex then the PPF, IMO. I put it together over a weekend working on it on & off.
I hope that helps, let me know if you need any more input.

 

[Mark Davenport]

I'd add one more comment. With a boat the sie you have, and electric start is almost a must have. They are about
$60-85 on Amazon. Without it, to pull start it you almost have to be outside of the boat. It is awkward at best turning the mud motor sideways while keeping the prop out of the water and then trying to pull start it.

Mark

That's exactly why I did it.

 

[Mark Davenport]

Also, I think the Grumman Sport Boat is awesome and very stable. Every time I launch it someone comes up to me and comments that they have one and how much they like owning one, or sold one and regret it, or how they want one.

 

[Ed L.]

I have no issue with the PPF on the Grumman. I assembled the kit, wired up an electric start from Amazon. I ordered a grab bar and installed it without holes to the seat and it's removable. The only issue was spinning the tail into the boat for trailering (because of the transom angle and how low the motor sits), but I solved that with a part from Menards. If you go the PPF route and you need more details, feel free to contact me, especially if you order it with the Honda and want to install the electric start.

Btw, the boat is very stable both sitting and standing, I have an old cooler with weights in the front when needed.

The video is my test run.

I had a Carstens Bluebill which is similar to the hull design as the sport boat. It rolls right over with a mud motor if you turn to fast! You probably know that though. I picked up a 12' Grumman v-bottom and planning for a ppf motor. Not my first rodeo but I'll go with a kit and put a Lifan electric start motor on it. I am curious about where you ordered your grab bar from though?

 

[Mark Davenport]

I had a Carstens Bluebill which is similar to the hull design as the sport boat. It rolls right over with a mud motor if you turn to fast! You probably know that though. I picked up a 12' Grumman v-bottom and planning for a ppf motor. Not my first rodeo but I'll go with a kit and put a Lifan electric start motor on it. I am curious about where you ordered your grab bar from though?

Beaver Dam

Boat Grab Bar

Enhance your boating experience with our boat grab bar. Adjustable, durable, and perfect for any mud boat or jon boat. Adventure awaits!

beaverdammudrunners.com

 

[Mark Davenport]

Does anyone have any experience with the mud skipper surface drive feather lite in a 6.5hp?

Hi Blake, Like I said in my first post, I looked at the Twister for a minute. But I'd see them on FB Market Place, and other MM sites with descriptions like " used (1) time, like new etc.", so I passed on them.

 

[RM Anderson]

Swamp Runner 2HP works great on Kara Hummer. Swamp Runner is rotated 180 with shaft inside cockpit. When fully brushed in, ducks have no idea Berta and I are there. Richard