Short Shaft / Surface Drive / Mud Motors

A different type of outboard motor which I had not seen before are designed for shallow water use. Various manufacturers refer to them as "short shaft", "surface drive", and "mud motors". One manufacturer claims to have developed their units after initially building "long tail" units based on units seen in south-east Asia.

They have an air cooled engine, up to 37 HP mounted high with belt or shaft drive to the lower unit which has the propeller mounted considerably further rearward than a standard outboard. They are designed for use in shallow water with some videos showing boats going through thin mud, and also appear to be designed for routine impacts with stumps, logs, etc. The most popular engines appear to be Vanguard two cylinder V units. Most manufacturers use belt drive though at least one uses shafts and gears.

http://www.mudbuddy.com/about.htm
http://gator-tail.com/motors/
https://prodriveoutboards.com/
http://www.godevil.com/inventorynew/surface-drive-engines-2/
http://copperheadmfg.com/motors/
http://www.bossdrives.com/
http://www.mudbuddy.com/index.htm

 

http://www.boatdesign.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/24211/ppuser/1988

This mud boat design from 1950`s is a lot more comfortable and easier to handle
and has unlimited HP capabilities. A Steerable, Retractable short Surface drive.
For Big or small craft.