A short list of essential quackhead watercraft and propulsion. (Photo courtesy of Gator-Tail)
June 30, 2023
By WILDFOWL Staff
Duck Boats Go-Devil 18x60 Open Floor Plan w/ Galvanized 40-hp Surface Drive Mud Motor Go-Devil 18x60 Open Floor Plan w/ Galvanized 40-hp Surface Drive Mud Motor If you run on the salt or in brackish water, Go-Devil’s 18x60 combined with their galvanized-frame 40-hp surface-drive should be on your wish list. This boat is as tough as it looks and includes an open floor plan leaving room for everything, including the kitchen sink. Standard features include a large storage box to keep things stowed, tapered chines to help you roll off obstruction, and it even has a grab bar to make sure you don’t fall out during launch! The galvanized-frame 40-hp surface drive mud motor is not only crazy fast, it all also resists corrosion, reducing the need for extremely tedious off-season maintenance.
Starting at $21,700 | godevil.com
Gator-Tail EXTREME 1754-GTR40 XD L Package Gator-Tail EXTREME 1754-GTR40 XD L Package If you’re ready to rip through the shallows, Gator-Tail’s Extreme 1754 Package stands at the ready. This package is perfect for the duck hunter that needs to skim through the skinny water and comes with everything you need to hit the channels at delivery. The package includes Gator-Tail’s GTR40 XD L powerplant, an 18-foot galvanized trailer, and just the right mix of add-ons and accessories to satisfy even the most discerning hunter. Features like the stabilizer kit and Gator Grass Camo paint make setting up a hide easy and the RIGID LED Swamp Lights help lead the way.
Starting at $25,000 | gator-tail.com
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Excel Boats 1860 Shallow Water F4 Pro Hull Excel Boats 1860 Shallow Water F4 Pro Hull Built to exceed even the most daring hunter’s needs, Excel’s 1860 Shallow Water F4 Pro Hull was designed for duck hunters, by duck hunters. Equipped with a step deck, the F4 Pro Hull makes getting in, and out of the boat easy, and is perfect for hunting in the timber or other shallow water environments. Using a triple-tapered chine, the F4 Pro Hull turns on a dime and is a dream to drive, reaching top-end speeds quickly and efficiently. Equipped with the appropriate Mud Buddy surface drive, the F4 Pro Hull will get you places that would cause other duck boats to pucker.
Starting at $10,750 | excelboats.com
Duck Boat Motors Mud Buddy HDR (Hyper Drive Reverse) Surface Drive Mud Motor Mud Buddy HDR (Hyper Drive Reverse) Surface Drive Mud Motor Mud Buddy is well-known for their legendary line of rugged and dependable mud motors, and the HDR line is no exception. Available in horsepower ratings starting at 25 and going all the way up to their 5000 series, there isn’t a duck boat these motors can’t move. Their Anniversary HDR 5000 series is a gearhead's dream. Equipped standard with power-enhancement upgrades, performance Q muffler, Mud Buddy’s patented drive system, and a Raptor II propeller, the HDR 5000 series is a beast on the water. It even has EFI, for trouble-free operation in every environment, at any elevation.
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Starting at $8,500 | mudbuddy.com
Yamaha Marine Portable 25-hp Four-Stroke Outboard Motor Yamaha Marine Portable 25-hp Four-Stroke Outboard Motor Not every hunter needs a mud motor, and for hunters that covet deeper water lakes and rivers, Yamaha Marine has got you covered. Their line of portable four-stroke powerplants ranging from 2.5 to 25-hp are the solution to hunting deeper water without fear of getting stranded. Simply put, you don’t get more reliable than a Yamaha, and for years many duck hunters have trusted them for long runs in dicey conditions. These engines sip gas, are whisper quiet, and light enough to remove and install with ease. They even have on-side storage capability, which sounds unimportant, until you must store one.
Starting at $4,000 | yamahaoutboards.com
