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Long tail jon boat???

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Shanman

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2007
Messages
1,900
Location
Loudon Co., Tn
This is for you guys that have run or are presently running a long tail, want to hear from those with experience.
Thinking about putting one together to use mainly for having fun and running rivers, will also use it for trapping and some fishing. No doubt will have some long runs on lakes to reach certain drainages and that means rough water at some point. Here on the eastern side of the state rocks and logs will be the norm, not so much mud. Been looking at flat bottoms online and it is very discouraging, mostly junk or they are extremely expensive. Had a 1436 back in the 90's and swore I'd never have another narrow boat again. I'm leaning towards a 1444 - 1648, something in that range. What size Jon have you guys found a long tail to work well with? Also, what height transom works best?
 
There's really nothing fun about a long tail. It's about like being in a bar fight with your hands tied. They do their job in mud/stumps/logs but rocks will eat the prop up in short order. I wouldn't want to make any rough water voyages if I could avoid it.

If you're talking shallow/rocky/swift rivers I would recommend a jet long before the mud motor. With long tails you gotta really work at trying to making sharp turns.

I have only used them on short transom boats but idk if it really matters. I currently have a 20hp on a very light 1648 and it's a slug with any kind of load.
 
I realize a jet is the way to go around here but there are two reasons I wasn't considering a jet, cost being the main reason. The other is I don't want to have to be on plane all the time in the skinny stuff. Will want to ease along when looking for critter sign while trapping. A jet would be super nice to have though. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated. 👍
 
Jet or prop and walk your boat over the shoals in rocky or gravelly rivers. Jets are kinda slow but mud rigs are really heavy and slow. I've seen long tails on the duck river (gravel bottomed) and they couldn't get back over shoals. As soon as the prop hit, the motor kicked up as designed, lost bite, and they came off almost being in plane.

You can probably idle with a jet shallower than a mud motor. You also have to swing that big heavy motor all over to turn with a long tail.
 
Don't do this!
 

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MickThompson said:
Jet or prop and walk your boat over the shoals in rocky or gravelly rivers. Jets are kinda slow but mud rigs are really heavy and slow. I've seen long tails on the duck river (gravel bottomed) and they couldn't get back over shoals. As soon as the prop hit, the motor kicked up as designed, lost bite, and they came off almost being in plane.

You can probably idle with a jet shallower than a mud motor. You also have to swing that big heavy motor all over to turn with a long tail.
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Mick….i truly appreciate you taking the time to chime in and educate me on the subject as I'm ignorant of all the facts.. 👍
……but you're probably going to be in the same camp as my wife, saying……."Big knot head". 🙄😂
 
MickThompson said:
Jet or prop and walk your boat over the shoals in rocky or gravelly rivers. Jets are kinda slow but mud rigs are really heavy and slow. I've seen long tails on the duck river (gravel bottomed) and they couldn't get back over shoals. As soon as the prop hit, the motor kicked up as designed, lost bite, and they came off almost being in plane.

You can probably idle with a jet shallower than a mud motor. You also have to swing that big heavy motor all over to turn with a long tail.
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im about to buy a jet prop outboard for running rural stretches of the duck. I have a jon boat, just need the motor. definitely will be a small 4 stroke- 25 hp probably. not there for speed or play. just need to be able to run up stream a few miles and then fish/float back down. river access is very limited on the duck and vast segments are nearly impossible to reach
 
I ran a 23hp longtail on a 1648 tracker in East TN and it ll work but wouldnt be my choice. It worked well in S Florida but sand and rocks will eat up a prop pretty quick, plus it requires some effort to drive a long tail. I liked the 1648 hull but add some pods and a small tiller(15-20hp) and you can plane pretty quick and manuever skinny water w alot more control. Ultimately the jet drive would be the best for running the shallow rivers but the pods and small tiller will give you some flexibility and works well for me.
 
I run a SPS longtail ..13hp..
It's silly simple to run.. once you learn how to match up your prop size to your motors RPM..
Two fingers to control it.
Go anywhere.
I've no clue why some of these guys are saying the rocks will chew up the prop.. ? Why are they sticking their prop into the rocks ?
Did they take off the skeg ?
Noise ? Mines not bad at all .. ran the exhaust way behind the motor.
They are a hoot to run and play around with.
For a powered boat motor.. nothing beats a thailand longtail.
And all for about 600 bucks.
 
I've got a jetted 6.5 hp predator on an sps long tail attached to my canoe. It can do things and be portaged into places jon boats only dream about.

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pm me. There's not a lot of first hand knowledge on doing this except everyone calling me crazy.
 

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