Devlin Mallard with Mud Motor

J

JayDeeg

New member
Hey Guys-
New to the site & love it. I have owned a Devlin Cackler since 1987 which is still going strong. I also own a Devlin Honker. I think it is time to add a third and want to add a small sneak/marsh boat and think the Devlin Mallard would be a good addition.
My question is this: How would the mallard perform with a mud motor and which model & Horsepower would be the best, if a mud motor is even an option.

Thanks- Jay
 
Isn't the Mallard a displacement type hull which sits low in the water? I think a Bluebill would draft less in be more suited for going shallow with a mudmotor, but I am no expert.
 
Andrew,
I had the same thoughts when I first read the question. With a mud motor, you want something that sits on top of the water/has a very shallow draft. Looking at Devlin's site, however, shows that the mallard drafts almost 2" shallower than the Bluebill. (that shocked me)

The one issue I see is the Bluebill has a motor well, which would most likely be a problem in turning with a mud motor.
 
I was thinking the motor well would act like the "pods" that guys weld onto their mud motor boats??? Doesn't a mud motor set way up on the transom and would miss the "pods" when turning?
 
Good question Lee. I think the pods are usually lower than the transom? You may be right though that the mud motor arm would be high enough to have clearance. It's definately something to look into.

Scott
 
As a former Mallard owner I would definitly NOT recommend putting a mud motor on one. The hull is super slow, extremely seaworthy and stable, but very slow even with an outboard. I think you would be much better off going with a Broadbill or the Bluebill with a modified transom.
 
Jay--If search on the "fuge" there's a guy in alaska or was in alaska that built the bluebill. I think the screename was dallen, he put a jack plate on the transom and put a mud motor on it. -jason
 
Gregg, that was my first thought too...maybe a Bluebill hybrid with a motor well. I am thinking that these small boats with a straight shaft mud motor leave a bit to be desired any way since there isn't much room in the cockpit. Mark Rongers uses a mud motor on the Zackbox ..but there is quite a back deck on it which makes you sit further forward anyway. Mark says about 5mph is top end so getting anywhere means leaving early...of course...you can GET almost anywhere.
 
Here is the boat Jason R mentioned. I have not seen this boat, but sort of work with the owner. He runs a 6.5 mud buddy on it and it does well with two guys and a dog. The boat is light enough that he can drag it up and over a bank and then the 20 yards to water. He takes the motor in a second trip. And then the rest of the gear in the third. He leaves the boat in the area for most of the season, but due to some hunters turned thief this year he may be changing his mind next season.

I don't think the construction pics are up anymore.


DALLENPalmer03.jpg

 
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He is a former Army Ranger with some extra special ops training. He is still in army shape after being out for over a decade. And he is a nice guy to boot. One of these days our schedules may collide and I'll get a chance to hunt with him.
 
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