Has anyone run a longtail mud motor on a Devlin boat?

Cody Williams

Cody Williams

Well-known member
Hello everyone, I'm looking to build a new duck boat this summer and I've been scouring the web looking at designs. I really like the lines of Devlin's duckboats, beautiful boats and I've always wanted to try the stitch and glue method. My only reservation is that most of them appear to be designed for outboard power, and running an outboard isn't feasible in most of the shallow marshes I hunt here in Utah. I'm currently running a 13hp longtail on my jon boat, I was just wondering if anyone has any experience with running a mud motor on a Devlin boat. I know they aren't efficient on a V-hulled boat and was hoping someone would have some first hand experience to share. Thanks!
 
Cody, I have run Devlin boats since 1996, my first was a Black Brant II, I ran a 25 horse outboard on that boat. Currently I have a modified Cackler ( transom at rear of boat not recessed ) with a 23 hp Mud Buddy short drive, boat runs at 25 mph without a heavy load. But I had to put trim tabs on this boat. My second boat is a Scaup with a 27 hp Mud Buddy short drive. This boat runs 25 mph also. I built wedges into the hull when I built this boat to push the nose down. I would not use an outboard for duck hunting after using the mud motors and I am very pleased with Devlin boats.
 
David,

It has always looked to that a short tail would hit the sponsons on turns. I take it you don't have that problem?
 
I have a traditional BBIII and have used a 7hp Stumpjumper long tail motor on it.

I am currently thinking about a 10/12hp copper head to keep the weight down. This will require a stern modification.

The issue for me is that the hull up front on this design is rather deep and then it shallows up towards the stern. I need 10 to 12 inches of water when hunting so that the hull does not hang up in the muck.

With the stumpy I have pushed the boat through muck that was not similar to water in any way. Slow but it was moving.

you will have to modify the design to move the stern back for either a long tail or a surface drive.

If you really want to get the most from a mud motor you should look at flat bottom garvey designs like the GF12 from Bateau. You can deck them like a devlin.
 
Thanks for the info guys. After looking around a bit I think I've decided to head more in the direction of a wood and epoxy sneakboat inspired by the Carsten Canvasback. Funny when I saw that design for the first time it was exactly what I had been visualizing. I would still love to build a Devlin boat at some point, maybe for a more all-around fishing and family boat. Thanks again everyone!
 
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