Question re: mud motors

B

Bill Abbate

Active member
In the market for a mud motor to be used on my Momarsh Fatboy DP that I purchased in September. Was wondering if others here could make some recommendations as to which brands I should consider. Also, I'm assuming that a very low horsepower engine would be ideal. Am I correct in my thinking ? Thanks in advance for anyone here that could help me out.

Regards,
Bill
 
Mud motors are a big deal down here in florida. How about some more info, or a picture, or both, of your boat, Is it a planing hull or displacement hull? Rich
 
5-6 hp is what you want. I have a 6hp mud buddy with a koehler on it even is an easy cold start. Word of caution use your wrist strap it can get away from you. I am sure Ira can tell you exactly which motor and model works best he did some testing years back
 
Not sure of the hull as, I'm new to this sport. This was my first duck boat purchased. It's 13 feet long. It's the Momarsh Fatboy DP model. Hope this helps.
 
If I were in the market I'd look into Orion motors. http://fourriverslayoutboats.com/...p-longtail-mud-motor.

If your state isn't a stickler about CG hp ratings I'd go with a 6hp.
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Hey Ed -

Do you think this motor might have oiling issues down the road? I think it could be a possibility as I'm not aware of the Lifan have oil misting on it. Looks like a nice unit though.

Another option would be to go with a Rickshaw mud motor. It is a smaller hp unit (about 2.0 I think) and weights around 20 lbs. It does not have a high amount of torque so if you are intending to run it through weeds and muck all day long, this is not the motor for you. It will push your boat 5-6 mph through weed free lakes and upstream the same. With weeds, expect to go slower. With mud only, expect to go nowhere.

If you are slightly handy, you can make your own. Here is a great link on everything you would like ot nkow on how to build your own mini mud motor.

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/diy-marinizing/weed-eater-engine-conversion-1681.html

Mark W
 
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Hey Ed -

Do you think this motor might have oiling issues down the road? I think it could be a possibility as I'm not aware of the Lifan have oil misting on it. Looks like a nice unit though.

Mark W
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Hi Mark,

I didn't suggest the Rickshaw based on on the size and weight of the DP and the load it can handle. As far as the Lifan you are probably right but if memory serves me these are Harbor Freight motors that can be had for less than $100 on sale.
 
I recommend searching on here for another poster that has a Stump Jumper long tail on his DP - use the search term stump jumper and all those older posts should show up.

The Stumpy has a 7hp Robin motor and is lighter than the other long tails of similar HP. The motor has a tremendous amount of tourque and you can't be stoopid while running it on a small marsh boat - you will go swimming.

As stated in those older threads the only thing I don't like about the Stumpy is its twist grip throttle. I just bought a BPS finger throttle from Mud Buddy and will be trying that out this season if my left arm heals enough to operate the motor safely.

http://www.stump-jumper.com/
 
I have had two longtail mud motors in the last few years, a 16 hp briggs vanguard on a go devil frame and now a 24 hp honda beavertail. These things are incredibly economical on gas, The best part is buying parts at your local lawnmower store! The smaller ones sell for very little on the used motor market. Rich
 
William,
We have sold several of the 2hp Helios Orion Outboard motors and the customers love them They perform very well for only being a 2 hp. Plus with you being from NY, they are there also. Give Steve a call, he has a Refuge Runner that you can probably test rive to see how it handles. It is not a Momarsh DP but will give you an idea.
 
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Another vote for Orion motors. Orion is changing their website,should be up tonight or sometime Monday.
 
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I run a 5.5hp Honda/ Mudbuddy on one of my Karas. If I remember right the motor weighs 56 pounds. I see new Mudbuddys 6 hp are 74 lbs. If you want to cross mudflats 2 hp is not enough. I have a friend who runs a 3 hp mudmotor on his Fatboy DP and says 3 hp won't get him over mudflats. The 5.5 hp Honda will get me over mudflats. I would find the lightest possible motor if it were me. Weight is everything in a small boat, esp. for something hanging off the back. If I didn't need to cross mudflats or get through thick aquatic vegetation, I would use a 30 lb thrust trolling motor. There's not a significant difference in speed between the mudmotor and trolling motor. No more than 2 mph. If I needed to go less than a half mile I wouldn't fool with a motor at all, esp. not a big heavy gas powered motor. Once you've got the hang of poling and paddling those little boats you can really move out, and since they're so low profile wind doesn't effect them that much. It's really a pain in the butt to deal with a mudmotor in a small boat and I prefer not to have one on board unless I really really need it, usually to go a long way through water hyacinths and across sub inch deep water and mud. This year hunting rice fields in Arkansas I wouldn't even have considered using a mudmotor.

Ed.
 
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