I’m picking up my first boat tomorrow, it’s just a 14’ jon boat, nothing fancy. The lake I plan on hunting the most has a 10hp maximum and a lot of sunken trees and sandbars so I figure a long tail setup is a good way to go. Trying to decide what to get. I’m looking at a mudskipper longtail kit, and deciding between getting their 7hp motor or a 6.5hp predator motor from Harbor Freight. Anyone used either of these and have any reccomendations?

Can't help you. But i would always error on the more HP side of things.

I don't have any direct experience with the items in question but past experiences with kits in other pursuits has me leaning toward a motor from the same company as the kit. It seems that whenever I try to match up assemblies from different manufacturers it never goes smoothly. Modifications and additional parts always seem to be needed and reliability was sometimes in question. A motor and kit from the same company should be much more compatible together.

I would also look at the potential of locally finding parts for the power head. If something breaks and replacement parts can be found close by, one could be back in service in only a couple hours depending on what broke and how handy you are.

Mornin, if you ever want to run through marsh grass or cat tails duck hunting or such get the most HP, that you can afford. I ran a 16 hp twin on a 14' John boat and it would go pretty much anywhere. Put it on a 16' deep John when the kids were little so they couldn't fall out but it sure slowed things down. Buddy has a 14' John & it goes pretty good with a 6.5,. Still goes through marsh grass but cat tails are really hard. He uses his for duck hunting but he just has to go through lily pads. He has the mud skipper kit with princess auto motors cheaper line. You can put one of the cheap motors on 3 times before your up to the price of a brigs & straton or 4 for the price of a Honda. Buy a 6.5 for that lake you mentioned & a 10 or 12 horse or more for everything else. It's not like your using it every day. Probably could use a mtr from a snow blower as they don't get used to much. Put a used mtr on the one that ya don't use much & a nice new one on the main one. If ya stay with the same brand, hook up should be close to the same. It's just throttle cable or battery. It's actually hard to not cringe going over stumps & rocks till ya get used to it. Fun times with them, crazy looks from other boaters when ya blow by them into the lily pads. There's a guy up in Alaska that uses them on a freighter canoe to go up smaller rivers to get in to tight areas to hunt. He's got some videos on the Alaska out door forums under canoe forum. Good luck & post pics after you get it up & running. Bill out. 🐾👣🇨🇦

I decided to go with the predator, it was a little cheaper, overall better reviews and it seems to be a very common engine so I think finding support for it will be easier as well. Thanks for the replies. While we’re at it, does anyone have experience getting a title for a boat trailer? I know it varies by state to state but was wondering if anyone had an idea how difficult it is. The boat came with a title but the previous owner never titled or registered the trailer.

(Mainer in AK) makes the wide freighter canoes set up for a Copper head mud motor. Good guy!
http://www.freightercanoes.com/index.html

jj liisten to Wood "I would also look at the potential of locally finding parts for the power head. If something breaks and replacement parts can be found close by, one could be back in service in only a couple hours depending on what broke and how handy you are" Parts for China Freight stuff are non-existent.

I have 3 long tails. 24 beavertail 24 honda on 16x50 jon. 7 hp robin stump jumper on marsh gunner and a 13 hp predator stump jumper on 14 ft osage duck boat. I'd look into the stump jumper out of la crosse wisc. Get a 8 hp predator if under 10. How wide is your 14 footer ?

My son had a 8hp mudskipper on his 14-36......now he has the 13 hp. on it.

you can up the HP on the 8 with heavier valve springs and other mods. Doesn't start well in the cold....that why he went to the 13....and a 9" prop.

New sticker and a 13 can be an 8!

Considering this option. I went with the 6.5 predator and it does just fine but it’s pretty slow with 2 people in the boat. Thinking about going to a 13hp predator and just putting the decal from the 6.5 on there...