Anyone run a surface drive on a flatbottom v? Outboard totaled

Dave Shady Larsen

Dave Shady Larsen

Well-known member
Last week I left the ramp at noon headed down the normal path to the channel to run south on the pool fornsome divers. Well about 20-30the Yards from the channel i was in 3' of water and I opened it up as normal up on plane and slammed something under the surface. The motor leg was unlocked and it kicked up hard slamming the tiller bracket into the top of the transom. Its mounted on a CMC lift so its 6 back and 2 up wich put it right into the trans. Motor quit the cowl under the engine was cracked and bowed out. The hood is cracked the tiller controlls were bent up and the starter button no longer lined up. Long trolling motor ride back. Prop bent and lower unit is messed up. GLAD i had rig insured cause the mess newly rebuilt 87 40hp evinrude wasnt
worth much bluebook!

Anyways have a line on a 36hp ProDrive for my rig no more outboards with the low river this year, lack of rain and predicted snow its time to say GOODBYE and back to more of the mudmotor type engine.

The old 1978 Lund is a V but its a true flat bottom on the majority of the boat. I am concerned about the weight of the engine a lil. I will have to move my fuel tank forward to save some weight I think.

Anyone running a Surface drive on a V-Bow boat?


 
Last edited:
Sorry about your motor. Try looking at mudmotortalk.com. Think others have asked similar questions there, plus lots of info (and opinions!) on different mudmotors
 
I'd scrap the whole rig and go see Paul at Larry's Marine in Clinton, you will never be happy with a surface drive on that hull.
 
How wide is your transom? According to the Prodrive website the 36 weighs 335 pounds, seems like that would be way too much weight for your boat, and your transom would probably need some pretty substantial reinforcement to handle the extra weight/torque and load when you're in shallow water. I've really learned that surface drives are very sensitive to what kind of hull they're run on, and it takes a specific hull bottom to get the most out of them. They usually run best on a purpose-built mud hull. Maybe you can try before you buy?

If you want to run a mudmotor on that hull I'd think the easiest route would be to go with a longtail, they are a lot less sensitive to what kind of hull they're on. Plus usually a lot cheaper than a SD!
 
Last edited:
I agree. I have a 14ft deep v with a 12horse copperhead that gets pretty flat in the back but nottotally flat. It also has runners on the bottom. It goes ok with a two man load but add another one it doesnt plane out. I think one of the reasons it atually goes ok is because it is square chine. It is very sensitive to load placement and trim. Deep water sucks speed away too. But when i get into a few inches of water and get on it i have no problem get around that makes up for the slower speed. It is rough on the boat since its not made for it but i baby it a bit. The big mudders are heavy so you might need to weld up supports. I would say if you can test it out go for it. Or if you are planning on buying a true mud hull next year, then buy the motor and run it this year.
 
Have you thought about the Mudbuddy SportV? They are just now getting them into production. The 36hp might not exceed the weight rating for your transome.

http://www.mudbuddy.com/Sport%20V.html

They have some good videos on their Youtube channel as well. I am considering the 50hp for my river boat since the jet just sucks in weeds and does not like chop.

There also is the copper head light belt drive option.
 
Im perty set on the PD, the local dealer does ALOT of business with my store and I couldnt see myself putting
another brand on it. IF I go with the surface drive. I talked to them about it last week and they would also reinforce my trans most likely plate the outside for sure. they did alot of tig welding on my rig to get the bottom sealed up good and they do good work.

My CMC tilt is still harldy used so were going to do some
trading on that part for work on the boat and paint if
I go this route.

Still planning and I dont run shallow to hunt anymore just we are dealing with LOW water and tons of weeds. I know my old LOWE 16 with the godevil 25 ran real well but that was a longtail.
 
Dave,

Been running MM's for (20) twenty years & you will have a few issues with a v-bow boat.

First is the weight of the engine, which is a minor issue that can be fixed with floatation pods.

Your biggest issue is when turning.

The bow is going to do what it it designed to do & dig while "turning" while the flat stern is going to what to slide out.

See the problem???

I would look for a wide, modified v-bow jonboat for the best performance with the PD 36.

Or get off your wallet & buy a PD hull & be really happy!!!
 
well I am putting the hull and Trailer up for Sale, and going to go after a new boat made the way I want it I think. I hate to trade it in would rather sell her outright. Need to find someone who hunts on a lake or something I guess.

Thanks for the Advice guys..... DO OVER time.
 
if ya hear of a somebody let this body know. Yeah but with the change in the river levels and lack of water I find myself affraid to take her back out kinda sucks. So time for a change for sure.

just need to find a good home for her
 
With the water levels the way they are up here in MI as well I am too considering ditching the v-front hull with outboard for a ProDrive new hull combo. I have been doing some reading on mud motor talk and think a ProDrive would suit my style of hunting/fishing great. Keep us posted on which combo you go with. My current setup is similar to yours.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top