AA Broadbill motor type/size?

BamaBill

BamaBill

Active member
For you AA Broadbill owners (factory and self-built) would a Browdbill handle something like a Mud Buddy 23 mini shorttail, or would this overstress the typical transom or cause balance/safety issues? I think they weigh in at 165# or so. I've heard of folks running up to 35hp OBs on some, but the typical scenario seems to be in the 15-25hp OB range, or smaller hp longtail MMs. I'm just wondering if they can handle a smaller shorttail, and maybe somebody has tried it...best of both worlds? Thanks for your input.
 
Bill

I owned a factory Arthur Armstrong Broadbill and it FLEW with a 25 hp motor. They are very fast hulls. What is the weight of the 23 Mud Buddy. The transom can probably handle it or could be beefed up easy enough but I suspect since the max width narrows a fair amount to the transom there might be some stabilty issues. I'd definitley want a grab bar installed. Can you get your hands on both items and test before having to buy?
 
Eric, I completely forgot to call you back on Saturday. Sorry.

I could probably get a couple of small block MB minis to try out on one, but I haven't even made my mind up on a boat yet....just trying to narrow my field of 'players'. I have lines on several different hulls....some too small for me (AA Wigeon), and some that I'm not sure about or that are too far away, etc. should I decide to get one. I would love one that will handle our big water with two, dog, and gear, AND could run a shorttail as an option for the shallow/weedy days. BTW 165# on the 23 mini.

Bill
 
I would love one that will handle our big water with two, dog, and gear.....

Bill
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Bill

That rules out a Broadbill. I owned one for 7 years and hunted the same lake as you and it fell short in seaworthiness and roominess. They are fast and hide well but what you are wanting to do with it led me to sell mine. Great boat on calm water with minimal gear but once you exceed that, sooner than you think, you're left wanting a bigger boat.

No problem on Saturday. I wasn't near a phone the entire day.
 
Bill, I completely agree with Eric as far as capacity and seaworthyness. On the other hand I love mine (self built) partially sentamental and partly because I have more than one boat. I run a 25 Evinrude on her and it scoots almost 30 mph on a good day. It strickly is a one svelt hunter like me :>), one small dog and a few decoys. I do love how easy it is to hide, trailer and launch. I may build a Scaup next to fill out the armada or a ??????????. Good luck.
 
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I've got a factory broadbill with a 15hp 2stroke. I can't imagine a 25hp but it sounds FUN.
Mine is very good in rough stuff (Lake Erie)while under power but is vulnerable over the transom. I built
sponsons and attached them to mine. It improved ride height and I'm more confident while
picking-up. I'm afraid that is not an option with a mud motor. I will also agree it's a one man,
one dog boat but I have hunted two guys without a dog on a few ocasions.
Just my .02 John
 
This is a picture of Tom Lindheimer's personal Broadbill with a 40 Yamaha Jet drive on it...Tom loaned it to me for a big marsh display I helped out with at the Cleveland Sport, Travel, and Outdoor Show years ago.

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Bill, like Eric, had one, hunted it for several years by-my-self. When the boy got old enough to go, I got trapped one Sunday afternoon at Murpy Hill. Built the BBII that summer and sold the broadbill. It's a good boat, but you can run into problems on Guntersville with it. Dave
 
Eric, I remember seing a photo of an AA at what used to be Gann's for sale about the same time I run into Jeff Smith at the same location. In talking to you in the past I decided that was probably your boat because there wasn't many of them around. I looked at Jeff's boat and ran down the plans that summer and built one. The AA is a great boat, but you have to watch the big areas of Guntersville about the wind getting up. Said part about that is, that's when the hunting get's really good.
 
Thanks guys....I'm just itching for another rig, but I'm probably going to have to have the patience to wait until I can build my own or the right one becomes available. I actually think a broadbill like that might be a good replacement for my four rivers...at least for where/how I use the four rivers and wanting to carry a dog and kid into smaller water and hide well....on the other hand, I have to have one capable of handling that mountain-funneled wind against the current that we can get around here on good 'diver days' and still hide well, too. I like to tell folks it's like a mini version of the Columbia River in the West...only without the tides. All-in-all, I may need four rigs: Marsh sneak, BBSB, mud boat, and Scaup/BBII-III. LOL
 
David

There were a couple in the area. I never saw the second one but did hear a few folks mention it. There also was another boat very similar called the Mcall Fowler. It actually looked a bit more like the Blackjack. Last I knew of that boat it was for sale but that was over 10 years ago. I sold mine to Coach Firth who at the time was the head football coach at Madison County High. It was parked off Whitesburg drive in his yard for a couple of years and then gone. Haven't seen it since.
 
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