Mud Motors?

[dwest08]

I know I have put up a post about this awhile ago, but I am in the process of putting together a mud motor. my question is what kind of problems did you come to find with building your own? and is there anything to look out for or specific materials you would use? I'm thinking about using a 13 hp motor if that makes a difference.

aluminum?
steel?
I have access to whatever

anything will help, thanks

[penpal]

that all depends on your fabrication capabilities. Steel is strong. Realitively easy to weld. Easy found in the market place also. BUT, it's heavy. Once you start making the frame, gussets, mounts, etc... she'll be kinda heavy. For aluminum, there's different grades that have different tensle strength. It is available at many metal supply shops. Special need and care for welding. Spool gun on a MIG or heliarc it. Definately an art. I can MIG & TIG but only can weld aluminum about 50%. (I pretty much suck at it). It's a strong alloy. Light weight. Could be pricey though. If it were me, and I was to fab up a mud motor, I would do it out of aluminum & steel. Combo of both. Cause the last thing you want happen is to have that baby fall apart when your rippin' through som bog. Good Luck, and take your time.

[dwest08]

do you have any problems with the engines? do they need to be tuned a certain way?

[Michigan Killin Crew]

Briggs and Kohler are the best two on the market, how big are ya thinkin? Briggs has some hypo mods avalible for 23hp on up through MudBuddy. Also Beavertail has a frame only they sell for a pretty good price, you just add your own motor.

[penpal]

do you have any problems with the engines? do they need to be tuned a certain way?

No. Basiclly these motors on these frames are plain old lawn mower type engines. Of course of much higher horsepower. I've fooled around with a few here in my area. We've made modifications to the exhaust. Making them quieter without interfering with engine performance. Throttle linkage is basic cable with a lever. Simple stuff. Fuel lines can be run just like a regular outboard motor with a tank. I installed a quick disconnect at the tank so I could fill out of the boat. Again, simple stuff. I would suggest electric start. The area where you REALLY ned to play close attention to is the shaft bearings. Get the best you can. Don't skimp. Make sure they have good zerk fittings for proper lubrication after EVERY use. I've seen to many shafts seize up from lack of grease. If you have other questions, give me hollar.

[Ielase]

Just order what you need from. www.boghogmudmotors.com You can buy short shaft, long shaft, or a motor.

[dwest08]

advantages to longtail opposed to a short shaft?

[Dwayne Padgett]

The only advantage of a LT over a ST is if you hunt in an area with a lot of downed trees or logs in the water. The LT ca get up and over without hanging up between the boat and motor.

[Skillet]

Do you have to use a horizontal shaft motor or can you use a vertical???

[Dwayne Padgett]

Has to be a horizontal for a lontail .

[Jeremy DeVries]

Everytime this subject comes up I am interested. Mostly because jets cost so much money and I am always looking for an alternative.

What is the largest mud motor going, and what kind of weights and loads will they carry?

Right now guiding I need to haul, 4-5 guys, dogs, decoys, lunch, drinks, ammo, gear bags, guns, and chairs. I use an 18ft boat. I currently use a Johnson 115hp Jet , so 80hp at the pump, on an 1860 jon boat and it does the job at 1 mile per gallon. 35 mph upstream. Is there a mud motor that could compete?

[cutt-down]

There are mods available for all the mudmotors. You can take a 35/36hp shortie & bump it to over 50+/- hp easily. Speed costs money.....how fast ya wanna go? Looking at your set up you have an 1860 which would be perfect for duals. Then again duals are expensive but the upside is you have tremendous torque with 2 motors plus you have a back-up motor if one takes a dump on you. I've seen dual rigs carry 10 people before so the torque is there which is much more important than speed. I have seen a couple of companies that can bump a 35/36 up to 60hp but you're getting to the threshold of what the blocks can stand from a reliability standpoint. I'd go with a dual set-up with the loads you carry before I'd mod out a single to the hilt. Duals are expensive though.