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prop tunnel hull vs mud motor


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looking at getting a new boat. wondering if you guys had input as far as which would be better in shallow water. i run the minnesota river and am always worried with my standard jon. considering a prop tunnel or a mud motor. which do you guys think is a more capable boat for extreme shallow running. how shallow can either of these rigs run? most of the really shallow stuff is either sand or rock.

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I owned a tunnel hull for about two months, 18ft alumcraft with 60hp. Boat look cool but wasn't functional. I wanted to use it on the Minnesota and some smaller rivers. Ended up ripping the scag off and messed up the prop on a rock. I have been with friends tunnels with smaller tillers that didn't have trim that popped up when they hit gravel. Theirs worked great. If I did it again I would go with a 16ft and 35hp and not a brand new motor. I'm currently thinking of getting a mud motor but I'm still concerned about rocks. I like the short tails but I'm not sure they work in the rocks and gravel. I like fishing the Mississippi north of the metro and I'm curious how it will perform on bolders. Anyone else used them in rocky spots?

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I use a Scavenger longtail motor, its ugly and slow and ive hit many boulders with it and it keeps going. Its belt driven also so when a boulder or log is hit the belt will take alot of the beating. Use mine in small shallow rivers and it works great for what i run

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  • 2 weeks later...

Option #3

Jet and I would opt for a IB Jet

Totally agree!! Jet's have the least amount of exposed area, OB jets even on a flat bottom only stick down a few inches when set up properly. The drawback- loss of 30% of the powerhead's HP. So a 50 powerhead is 35 hp out the chute. IB jets have nothing exposed and lose very little of the HP the motor has. You can run in 3" of water on plane (or less in some cases) whistle My River-Pro has served me very well in a lot of really scary situations. cool

Prop tunnels are good as long as you plan to run stuff deeper than about 10"... But, it still is a prop with a skeg sticking below the hull line. Very functional, you lose no performance and gain some shallow water running capability.

Mud motors are good, especially if you plan to run in or around mud and vegetation, they can buzz right through that stuff. Loss of speed usually due to lower HP models/air cooled etc... Also not quite as maneuverable in my experience with the long tail models.

If you primarily plan to run in rock and sand, a jet specifically IB will serve you best. With a knowledgeable driver, one can navigate through vegetation as well...Although, not for ever. Eventually the intake grate WILL plug. But, can be cleared with some evasive maneuvers....

Good luck!

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How do you like the river pro? Buy it new or used? Is there a dealership for them around here or did you have to order it from MO?

I too am in the market for a river boat sorta thinking 16-18ft MV Jon Boat with tiller outboard jet maybe around 60/40

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  • 2 weeks later...

How do you like the river pro? Buy it new or used? Is there a dealership for them around here or did you have to order it from MO?

I too am in the market for a river boat sorta thinking 16-18ft MV Jon Boat with tiller outboard jet maybe around 60/40

All I can say is .... " I wouldn't trade it for the world.... Well OK, maybe another RP!!! smile

Absolutely love it.. Bought it new in 2005. Handles a variety of water just fine. Fished many rivers in MN, fished Cheq Bay, larger lakes in Canada... It won't be the smoothest ride in rough water (but no flat bottom boat will be), but, you can get around easy enough. I have a Center console. Wouldn't go any other way. It's absolutely and awesome rig. Simple as that.

Kevin does have a couple dealers set up out east in PA, but not here in MN. He comes up to MN every summer. He aims to please and does a great job helping his customers out for sure.. Give him a buzz and set up a ride up here. Seems like he always has a demo available to try out during the summer.

Good luck.

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  • 3 weeks later...

well the decision has been made. thanks to all for your input, and experiences. i got a G3 1652 (no tunnel) with a yamaha 60/40 jet. havn't had a chance to really test its shallow water capability yet, as break-in is necessary and our river is way up now. but lovin it so far.. if your in s mn send me a message. i'b be happy to show you what this rig is all about.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Quote:
But, can be cleared with some evasive maneuvers....

Is that the OMG hang on with white knuckles and my lunch is coming up evasive maneuver?

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  • 1 month later...

Is that the OMG hang on with white knuckles and my lunch is coming up evasive maneuver?

Dang strate! whistlegrin

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If you do any duck hunting at all the answer is MUDMOTOR all the way.

I just sold mine a month ago.

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  • 5 weeks later...

well, the verdict is in. awesome!! ran up the MN last night, probably about 4 miles. it was a rush. we could see bottom in a few spots, but didn't get hung up at all on the way up. on the way down we were at idle and had to get out and push through one corner. it was just under 6". the river is dropping so maybe it was 6.5 when we motored through. if you got the gonads to try it you'll make it. 6" looks like dry land after getting out of a prop boat.

i know a guy who got a mudmotor this year. he said he was pushing bottom in the river before august. river was 1.5ft higher then. i belive i can run through much shallower water than his rig, but cannot run in any weeds or grass. perhaps he was overcautious with his mudmotor as well. myself, i just need to know what i'm capable of getting through

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That's what it's made for! Obviously you're trying to run the deepest water but even in those shallow sand flats you speak of- if it's not sticking out of the water don't worry too much about it. As long as it's sand, wood, gravel or anything but the very sharpest rock at full speed you don't have to pay too much attention. And when you feel the boat lift up on the real shallow stuff (and for some reason you feel yourself on your tippie toes lol)- just don't ever back off the throttle. ;-) Make sure you have a stiff pry bar of some sort to pry wood/rocks out of the grate if needed and you're good to go. Enjoy. I sure like mine. Put your buddy and gear way up front for super shallow hole shots and you'll be amazed at the shallow water you can get up on step in.

well, the verdict is in. awesome!! ran up the MN last night, probably about 4 miles. it was a rush. we could see bottom in a few spots, but didn't get hung up at all on the way up. on the way down we were at idle and had to get out and push through one corner. it was just under 6". the river is dropping so maybe it was 6.5 when we motored through. if you got the gonads to try it you'll make it. 6" looks like dry land after getting out of a prop boat.

i know a guy who got a mudmotor this year. he said he was pushing bottom in the river before august. river was 1.5ft higher then. i belive i can run through much shallower water than his rig, but cannot run in any weeds or grass. perhaps he was overcautious with his mudmotor as well. myself, i just need to know what i'm capable of getting through

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I love that feeling when I feel the jet boat lift up a few inches on the shallow stuff!!!! Upload some pics brotha

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