New Surface Drive mud Motor Build

[andrew chaffe]

So I am dialed in most departments as this is not my first build but this will be the largest built a 16Hp V-twin.

The area I am looking for input on is the transom mount.

Mud Buddy sets the tilt pivot up and back from the transom, allowing plenty of room for installing a trim setup

Copperhead sets theirs in the middle of the transom bracket elevated some to allow for trim

Outboards the pivot is at the front of the transom mount.

Thoughts and ideas?

 

[RLLigman]

How are you going to configure your shaft i.e. how far back to the prop?

 

[andrew chaffe]

Drive shaft will be around 27" or so long

 

[Tom Scholberg]

Go Andrew! I will be watching this one close, keep posting.

 

[Paul Taylor]

Are you building it with tilt n trim? Manual or mechanical?

 

[andrew chaffe]

At the moment manual trim, although I do have a trim unit from a Merc 15hp that I may take a look at but I would prefer to stay manual to keep weight down.

 

[andrew chaffe]

This is where I am at for the transom mount currently, been I am using a larger motor than I have before and it seems to be the way Mudbuddy does theirs.

Though is I can move the tilt pivot back and up, making it easier to trim.


View attachment IMG_20180705_194841.jpg

 

[andrew chaffe]

well everything is coming alone well.

I really need some help from those of you who own a surface drive motor for some input, I need to know what height the center line of your drive tube is above the bottom of the boat with the motor trimmed so the drive shaft is in the same plain as the bottom of the hull (parallel to each other) so I can finalize the belt housing box length and calculate belt length and pulley sizes to suit.

I have used a V-Belt in the past with OK success but I am going with a 8mm HTD style timing belt this time around.

Thanks

 

[andrew chaffe]

This is where it sits right now. I still need input on height above the bottom of the boat. Then I can dial in pulley sizes and belt length


View attachment IMG_20180805_200723.jpg

 

[Paul W]

looks awesome. I think the measurement in relation to water surface is the most important. May need some dialing in once its on your boat of specific weight? Not an expert.

 

[andrew chaffe]

That is the critical measurement I am looking for input on.

 

[andrew chaffe]

All Done and out on the water, could not be happier.
View attachment 1537820156651.jpg

 

[Mark W]

Nice job Andrew. I see you got the Lund Ducker done some time ago as well? How do you like the combo?

Mark

 

[andrew chaffe]

Mark, Love the combo, although this is a newer boat that handles the ice and a little more load and the larger motor works much better on this boat.

 

[Paul Taylor]

That looks great! How does it perform in the marsh or mud?

 

[andrew chaffe]

Open water average speed around 17.7mph, thick weeds and Lilly pads did not slow down or miss a beat. Shallow areas picked up 1 - 2mph. Mud, I don't know but I do not have to deal with much mud in the areas I hunt.

 

[Paul Taylor]

That?s awesome!

I don?t use my homemade mud motor much anymore. I prefer to use my pirogue and keep the mud rig for really nasty duck weather when the water blows out of the marsh.