Long tail boat motors

[Night goat]

I'm in the market for a "new" boat for the skagit river. I've never had river boat before but am thinking f a 14-16 foot Jon boat and a long tail motor kit with an air cooled motor. I've never seen one in person but they look basic and are affordable. The boat I want, a 16 foot aluminum with a jet outboard isn't in the budget but a long tail is.

I love fishing out of drift boats, but hate playing the shuttle game. A set up like this seems like it would work well for me. I'd be able to fish and motor back to the truck, and would be able to run shallow on the mouth of the skagit.

Wondering if anybody runs one of these things or has experience or what not. About all I know is they run shallow, are loud, and there's no reverse or gearing, if the engine is turning the prop is spinning but my current setup just isn't cutting it for me

[jeffro]

What’s wrong with a tiller jet?

[Wanttohuntmore]

Wonder how a long tail would work on the drift boat?

[scotsman]

I had several adventures in Thailand with a longtail boat / dugout. At first I was pretty skeptical. But, after  traversing numerous narrow, shallow winding passages can appreciate their quirky advantages. They work best on low drag hulls so should be ok on a drift boat,.

[SuperX]

I had a surface drive 'mud motor' and ran it on the Skagit and Skykomish and it was OK except at the tailout of pools where it's exposed prop would hit rocks and be damaged very easily (even with a skeg).  I'm not sure how a long-tail would be any different.  I also found the lack of a reverse hard to work around.  I ended up with a kicker motor but eventually sold the surface drive because of the difficulty picking up decoys wihtout a revers and with a 10" razor sharp prop around decoy cords

[Night goat]

What’s wrong with a tiller jet?

Have you seen the prices of a tiller jet? That's what's wrong with em! Id love to get one but am shy of used 2 strokes... Just in case somebody forgot to put oil in the fuel

Plus with the harbor freight engines you can exchange them for a new engine at the end of each season if you sign up for the extended warranty plan

[huntnphool]

 Why would you be concerned with replacing it every year, if you thought you were purchasing a quality option to begin with?

[Night goat]

Why would you be concerned with replacing it every year, if you thought you were purchasing a quality option to begin with?

Fair statement. My argument on that subject is that if there is a free no questions asked replacement policy, advocated by the store staff.... It seems like a pretty solid option

So long as you maintain the "replacement policy" which with the extended plan, gives you 2 years warranty with direct in store credit

 

[Feathernfurr]

I’m not sure what the rivers are like here but I’ve had a few buddies with the long tail kits from harbor freight. They’re decent, but definitely struggle in a fast current.

I have an excel f4 shallow water 1860 with a 40efi mud buddy that I’ve run in some shallow rocky rivers in Idaho. It’s a great set up but it definitely can struggle loaded down going against the current, and you better keep it on plane in the extra shallow stuff. I am lucky that mine has reverse at least. If you don’t have a set up before I have my boat in town I’d be more than open to taking you out to see what you think of that style motor set up.

[GWP]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1475470806725033/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-2072872984285910447%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22top_level_post_id%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A7696866606379838165%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A18%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A7788959263327837713%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00016618728594811%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A3503%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%227518596218233798%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227555039764571884%5C%22%3A3001%2C%5C%227573687039309481%5C%22%3A701%2C%5C%2225247416011572891%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227798886806798496%5C%22%3A701%7D%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-2072892569309072592%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%227788959263327837713%22%7D

Saw this on facebook over in Belfair. No engine long tail for sale. I do not know anything about it or prices they go for. Just thought I would pass it on.

[Night goat]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1475470806725033/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-2072872984285910447%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22top_level_post_id%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A7696866606379838165%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A18%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A7788959263327837713%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00016618728594811%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A3503%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%227518596218233798%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227555039764571884%5C%22%3A3001%2C%5C%227573687039309481%5C%22%3A701%2C%5C%2225247416011572891%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227798886806798496%5C%22%3A701%7D%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-2072892569309072592%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%227788959263327837713%22%7D

Saw this on facebook over in Belfair. No engine long tail for sale. I do not know anything about it or prices they go for. Just thought I would pass it on.

Thats for a 212cc engine… kits go from about 350$~1000$…..

Im looking at the larger end of things, thinking of going with a 23hp V twin motor

Mainly looking to use the described setup on the lower skagit delta, shallow mudflat marshy areas

I love duck hunting, but am tired with the crowds and think it’s s great budget option…. Whos to say an electric trolling motor wont work for retrieving dekes and ducks… my 10 footer with my old 8hp tohatsu just doesn’t work for 2 people and gear. Got about a 5000$ budget for a boat n motor

[Night goat]

……………………10 million Asians ain’t gonna be wrong……

[SuperX]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1475470806725033/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-2072872984285910447%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22top_level_post_id%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A7696866606379838165%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A18%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A7788959263327837713%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00016618728594811%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A3503%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%227518596218233798%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227555039764571884%5C%22%3A3001%2C%5C%227573687039309481%5C%22%3A701%2C%5C%2225247416011572891%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227798886806798496%5C%22%3A701%7D%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-2072892569309072592%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%227788959263327837713%22%7D

Saw this on facebook over in Belfair. No engine long tail for sale. I do not know anything about it or prices they go for. Just thought I would pass it on.

Thats for a 212cc engine… kits go from about 350$~1000$…..

Im looking at the larger end of things, thinking of going with a 23hp V twin motor

Mainly looking to use the described setup on the lower skagit delta, shallow mudflat marshy areas

I love duck hunting, but am tired with the crowds and think it’s s great budget option…. Whos to say an electric trolling motor wont work for retrieving dekes and ducks… my 10 footer with my old 8hp tohatsu just doesn’t work for 2 people and gear. Got about a 5000$ budget for a boat n motor

NG, a trolling motor would work fine for that, my Excel 1854 with 40hp MudBuddy was great for coming out of the channels on the last slurp of tide leaving.  I could go places jets didn't like.  Unfortunately it wasn't really a salt water boat and I started having electrical issues with everything including the motor due to the salt.  for things like springers on the Columbia it wasn't great for maneuvering in the bumper boats - you only have one option - go forward. If it had a reverse I would probably have kept it but instead I bought a 60hp E-Tec and switch in a jet kit as needed (yeah I'm cursed).  I thought that would work much better on rivers and ocean and be ok in the marshes. 

If you're looking for a Mud Motor hit up MudBuddy Northwest (Bill Moore) that's where I got mine and he was a great guy to work with back in 2012.  Hopefully he's still in business, it's been a while since I've talked to him.

Good luck!

[metlhead]

I believe you will find that those types of motors will be horrible to fish with if you stay in the boat. Long run a tiller jet will be worth the price you pay for it.

[JBG]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1475470806725033/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-2072872984285910447%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22top_level_post_id%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A7696866606379838165%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A18%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A7788959263327837713%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00016618728594811%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A3503%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%227518596218233798%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227555039764571884%5C%22%3A3001%2C%5C%227573687039309481%5C%22%3A701%2C%5C%2225247416011572891%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227798886806798496%5C%22%3A701%7D%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-2072892569309072592%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%227788959263327837713%22%7D

Saw this on facebook over in Belfair. No engine long tail for sale. I do not know anything about it or prices they go for. Just thought I would pass it on.

Thats for a 212cc engine… kits go from about 350$~1000$…..

Im looking at the larger end of things, thinking of going with a 23hp V twin motor

Mainly looking to use the described setup on the lower skagit delta, shallow mudflat marshy areas

I love duck hunting, but am tired with the crowds and think it’s s great budget option…. Whos to say an electric trolling motor wont work for retrieving dekes and ducks… my 10 footer with my old 8hp tohatsu just doesn’t work for 2 people and gear. Got about a 5000$ budget for a boat n motor

If you can swing it
https://www.ifish.net/threads/16-alumaweld-flat-bottom.1705098/?post_id=17068352#post-17068352
I was thinking a mud motor but after reading enough about the fact we have sand delta's and not mud it made me look at other options.  Ended up with a prop on a jack plate, havent run it yet so we will see.

[SuperX]

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1475470806725033/?ref=browse_tab&referral_code=marketplace_general&referral_story_type=general&tracking=%7B%22qid%22%3A%22-2072872984285910447%22%2C%22mf_story_key%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22top_level_post_id%22%3A%227696866606379838165%22%2C%22commerce_rank_obj%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22target_id%5C%22%3A7696866606379838165%2C%5C%22target_type%5C%22%3A6%2C%5C%22primary_position%5C%22%3A18%2C%5C%22ranking_signature%5C%22%3A7788959263327837713%2C%5C%22commerce_channel%5C%22%3A501%2C%5C%22value%5C%22%3A0.00016618728594811%2C%5C%22upsell_type%5C%22%3A3503%2C%5C%22candidate_retrieval_source_map%5C%22%3A%7B%5C%227518596218233798%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227555039764571884%5C%22%3A3001%2C%5C%227573687039309481%5C%22%3A701%2C%5C%2225247416011572891%5C%22%3A805%2C%5C%227798886806798496%5C%22%3A701%7D%2C%5C%22grouping_info%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%2C%22lightning_feed_qid%22%3A%22-2072892569309072592%22%2C%22lightning_feed_ranking_signature%22%3A%227788959263327837713%22%7D

Saw this on facebook over in Belfair. No engine long tail for sale. I do not know anything about it or prices they go for. Just thought I would pass it on.

Thats for a 212cc engine… kits go from about 350$~1000$…..

Im looking at the larger end of things, thinking of going with a 23hp V twin motor

Mainly looking to use the described setup on the lower skagit delta, shallow mudflat marshy areas

I love duck hunting, but am tired with the crowds and think it’s s great budget option…. Whos to say an electric trolling motor wont work for retrieving dekes and ducks… my 10 footer with my old 8hp tohatsu just doesn’t work for 2 people and gear. Got about a 5000$ budget for a boat n motor

If you can swing it
https://www.ifish.net/threads/16-alumaweld-flat-bottom.1705098/?post_id=17068352#post-17068352
I was thinking a mud motor but after reading enough about the fact we have sand delta's and not mud it made me look at other options.  Ended up with a prop on a jack plate, havent run it yet so we will see.

The sand really sharpens the prop, it was so sharp my dog cut his foot badly on it and had to go to the vet to close it up.  I ended up getting a new prop as I lost so much steel off the old one the boat's performance suffered.  My replacement of an E-Tec wasn't great as I couldn't find a jet pump for it and it was a 25" shaft on a 20" transom.  I have been thinking of adding a jack plate that I can use to adjust the prop depth.  It was installed at the right height but has a good bit of the mount above the transom.  I could also build up the transom but am on the fence about that. I hope your jack plate experience works out - would love to hear how it goes for you before I sink $$ into one.