I was wondering if any of you consider yourselves to be knowledge about the combination of mud motors and flat bottom hulls (or variations of such). Just from reading around on the forum, I have noticed that some people will say Brand XYZ is good for mud motors, but this boat and hull isn't. I'm not sure what I am missing as to what makes a Hull well fit for a mud motor? I have been around boats all of my life, but not "duck boats" and don't know where to start when looking.
Okcduckguy
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If it's the size of a sneakboat (<14ft) and you're gonna be going relatively slow anyway, probably doesn't matter. Anything bigger than that, you'll want a hull designed for a mud motor. All these people keep putting mud motors on outboard hulls, then they realize it was a bad idea because it wasn't designed for that. A mud hull should have the transom back behind the main compartment of the hull. When you look at the manufacturers' websites it'll indicate the type of motor it's intended for.
And mud hulls tend to be made sturdier than outboard hulls. It's gonna get abused more, therefore you want something extremely solid.
And mud hulls tend to be made sturdier than outboard hulls. It's gonna get abused more, therefore you want something extremely solid.
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SeaArk has a 1754 mudrunner or some size similar to that, I haven't seen many reviews/opinions on it but I like the layout. War Eagle also has the Gladiator. As far as I know Tracker does not make a mud hull.
If I was to buy brand new it would be custom. Probably Uncle J. Saw a mutual friend's in action last season and it would go where my friend's Excel could not. And from what I've heard you can get them cheaper than a name brand.
But when I do get one it'll probably be a combination of finding a good deal on a used one and getting a layout/hull/motor that I like.
If I was to buy brand new it would be custom. Probably Uncle J. Saw a mutual friend's in action last season and it would go where my friend's Excel could not. And from what I've heard you can get them cheaper than a name brand.
But when I do get one it'll probably be a combination of finding a good deal on a used one and getting a layout/hull/motor that I like.
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Here's an example of a real mud hull (although after being in my friend's excel F86, I'd rather buy a different brand).
http://www.excel-marine.com/f4-shallow-water.html
http://www.excel-marine.com/f4-shallow-water.html
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Okcduckguy - Bluesky knows his stuff when it comes to mudboats, if there's anyone on DHC to inquire about mudboats, he's the guy. I've hunted out of one quite a few times, but just the Excel F86 so I just know some basic info. My buddy has had one for a little over a year, and although it's not a terrible rig, he will not be buying an Excel or a Mudbuddy again.
A couple or few years down the road when I'm in the market for one I'll probably be asking him (bluesky) questions again.
A couple or few years down the road when I'm in the market for one I'll probably be asking him (bluesky) questions again.
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Good post. As you said, there is definitely no "one size fits all" solution. Eventually I plan on having a mud rig and an outboard rig. Although the outboard rig will be equipped for mostly fishing.
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.100 gauge upgrade? What the heck is their standard gauge? Lol. Should be at least .125 if it's an "upgrade". And this may have been mentioned before, but I'd get .125 for sure for a mud boat.
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:lol3:Jaydyer1 said:
It's no different than automobiles or firearms. What they are "worth" is the current market. For example an early 2000s 5.3 GM pickup is pretty much worth its weight in gold if it doesn't have super high mileage and is in good shape. I had one listed above NADA value last fall, but still priced below the majority for sale at the time, and was swarmed with messages and phone calls immediately. I'm sure I could've gotten away with listing it a pretty good amount above NADA value and still sold it within a month.
Aluminum boats have gotten stupid expensive over the last 10-12 years or so, the market values are high. Brand new ones have gotten fancier, more complicated, more expensive (just like newer pickups) so now the used ones tend to be expensive too.
Can't really blame people, they paid an arm and a leg for it new and are trying to get as much back as they can. They're gonna get on craigslist and see what everything else is selling for, they're not gonna just go to NADA and automatically post the price listed on there. That's what I do. You can try to appraise a boat all you want but the only thing that matters is market value.
You can find a good rig under $10k but it won't be close to new and shiny. I have a 20 year old hull and a 1 year old outboard, rig would go for about $12k right now.
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I agree that they're all overpriced. Just the simple reality though.Jaydyer1 said:
But there's some out there that are 10-20 years old in that price range. You may have to look for a couple months, but they exist.
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