I bought the F4 16 ft with a 35 horsepower mud buddy exactly 2 years ago and they are now putting the 50 horsepower mud buddy on it. I highly recommend get the highest horsepower rating you can get for the boat. The 50 horsepower wasn't available because of covid. These boats and motors are monsters and you will never go back to a regular outboard
Im late to the party but id like to know how deep your garage is. Im trying to figure out how much garage space an 18 footer requires total with trailer and motor... thanks
I just purchased the same boat with the 40efi hdr anniversary. How does it do in deep open water. I'm excited I pick mine up AUGUST of 2022. Any advice you can give on motor break in ?? Handling??? This is my first boat with mud motor. I have had other boats. But none like this with a mud motor. I hunt in ca, idaho , Oregon, Washington. Shallow and deep water.
Hey man. what are your thoughts on the floor plan you got compared to the dual gun box. Im in the market for one and curious to hear your opinion about why you chose the floor plan you did. Thanks
Your getting me fired up brother! I’ve got this same setup on order and should pick it up in Utah mid-late October. I did upgrade to .0125 F86 and spud poles. Is there anything you would recommend adding or things you would change if you could build it again? Great looking rig.
Hey congratulations! I wish had more Interior lights ! But that’s an easy fix I’m actually in the process of adding led lights in ever dry box on the boat
Beautiful rig. I just bought a new 1754 with the 40 HDR. What prop are you running on your boat? Mine came with the Raptor 3 blade but I changed out to the old reliable Big Blade. I was on the fence about which motor to go with between the 40 and 50. I decided the 40 because it has a 3 year warranty. Im super happy with my set up also. Great review
Congratulations on your setup Jeff! I run the big blade as well and to me it’s the best for any condition. The 40 is the work horse and it’s just flat out hard to beat.
Thanks for the video !! I too am looking into getting one, if I may ask what price range did you get that set up for all of it ?? Again thanks for the review.
Do you run a boat blind on this? Curious if you do and if so what brand. I’m going this weekend to look at a few new excel/mud buddy combos. We typically hunt out of the boat in most scenarios. We’re in desperate need of a in upgrade from our traditional outboard with our changing conditions in Wisconsin. Typically hunt rice lakes, shallow lakes and some rivers with a quite a bit of vegetation and weeding up our current motor just isn’t the ticket any longer. Even after 1 year with it, and trying to go the cheaper route, me and the wife have decided to invest in a much more reliable option like what you have.
I don’t have a boat blind yet, I’m trying to choose between the fast grass blind made by excel and the new drake boat blind that just came out. I will say the Mud buddy motor would perform excellent in the conditions your describing you won’t have any worries and I think you would be amazed on the places you can go! It will be hard for birds to hide from you! Good luck on your future purchase! 🤛
Do you think the 18’ is a bit big to try and get a good hide in? A boat blind is a must for me. I’m going to look at a 1860 TGB Friday but might throw my name on a 1754 DGB that’s coming in a few weeks. I’d probably save a couple grand with the 17’ and get plenty out of a 40 hdi rather then a 50 and 18’. Decisions decisions 🤔
Thanks for the input. I’m super stoked to get into one, headed down to look tomorrow at an 1860 that they have in stock with the TGB layout, but may put my name on a 17’ with the dual gun box or standard layout as the live well or extra storage would be nice. It looks like you have the standard layout.
@@ddion35 I bought the excel viper with a mud buddy 40 hdr. 1860. I went with the mud buddy blind and so far I like it! Getting 28 mph in a non broke in motor. That mud buddy blind is easy to set up and I like the ghillie appearance! Hope this helps!
I saw your video. If you still have the boat can you do a pro and con video of the boat now that you have owned it for a while.
I bought the F4 16 ft with a 35 horsepower mud buddy exactly 2 years ago and they are now putting the 50 horsepower mud buddy on it. I highly recommend get the highest horsepower rating you can get for the boat. The 50 horsepower wasn't available because of covid. These boats and motors are monsters and you will never go back to a regular outboard
Great Review!! Looking at Package, and the Review is Awesome...
So, it's been at least a year. I love your video. How about an update?
Thanks for the review! Keep em coming!
Sick boat! The entire package is legit!
Im late to the party but id like to know how deep your garage is. Im trying to figure out how much garage space an 18 footer requires total with trailer and motor... thanks
Amazing video!!! Exactly what I been looking for!!
I just purchased the same boat with the 40efi hdr anniversary. How does it do in deep open water. I'm excited I pick mine up AUGUST of 2022. Any advice you can give on motor break in ?? Handling??? This is my first boat with mud motor. I have had other boats. But none like this with a mud motor. I hunt in ca, idaho , Oregon, Washington. Shallow and deep water.
Great outfit, may wanna remeasure ,if it's a 1854 that's from bow to stern.
Dion, can you tell me the storage length of the rig with the motor turned to the side?
I like that bow light. Do you ride a lot at night with it?
Hey man. what are your thoughts on the floor plan you got compared to the dual gun box. Im in the market for one and curious to hear your opinion about why you chose the floor plan you did. Thanks
I really enjoy this floor plan! For me the storage and convenience of the open tray works well while hunting and fishing for those quick grab items.
How wide is that tray?
Your getting me fired up brother! I’ve got this same setup on order and should pick it up in Utah mid-late October. I did upgrade to .0125 F86 and spud poles. Is there anything you would recommend adding or things you would change if you could build it again? Great looking rig.
Hey congratulations! I wish had more Interior lights ! But that’s an easy fix I’m actually in the process of adding led lights in ever dry box on the boat
Beautiful rig. I just bought a new 1754 with the 40 HDR. What prop are you running on your boat? Mine came with the Raptor 3 blade but I changed out to the old reliable Big Blade.
I was on the fence about which motor to go with between the 40 and 50. I decided the 40 because it has a 3 year warranty. Im super happy with my set up also.
Great review
Congratulations on your setup Jeff! I run the big blade as well and to me it’s the best for any condition. The 40 is the work horse and it’s just flat out hard to beat.
Thanks for the video !! I too am looking into getting one, if I may ask what price range did you get that set up for all of it ?? Again thanks for the review.
Never said a word about the grab bar which is why I watched the video. I’ve read bad reviews on BPS grab bars
You can always re gear your upper and lower gears to help with big loads .
I have gear down, update video coming soon
Cost of the package??
What was the total price?
Do you run a boat blind on this? Curious if you do and if so what brand. I’m going this weekend to look at a few new excel/mud buddy combos. We typically hunt out of the boat in most scenarios. We’re in desperate need of a in upgrade from our traditional outboard with our changing conditions in Wisconsin. Typically hunt rice lakes, shallow lakes and some rivers with a quite a bit of vegetation and weeding up our current motor just isn’t the ticket any longer. Even after 1 year with it, and trying to go the cheaper route, me and the wife have decided to invest in a much more reliable option like what you have.
I don’t have a boat blind yet, I’m trying to choose between the fast grass blind made by excel and the new drake boat blind that just came out. I will say the Mud buddy motor would perform excellent in the conditions your describing you won’t have any worries and I think you would be amazed on the places you can go! It will be hard for birds to hide from you! Good luck on your future purchase! 🤛
Do you think the 18’ is a bit big to try and get a good hide in? A boat blind is a must for me. I’m going to look at a 1860 TGB Friday but might throw my name on a 1754 DGB that’s coming in a few weeks. I’d probably save a couple grand with the 17’ and get plenty out of a 40 hdi rather then a 50 and 18’. Decisions decisions 🤔
I think it would work just fine! However 17x54 is a very popular size for duck a boat! I have two friends that went with 17x54
Thanks for the input. I’m super stoked to get into one, headed down to look tomorrow at an 1860 that they have in stock with the TGB layout, but may put my name on a 17’ with the dual gun box or standard layout as the live well or extra storage would be nice. It looks like you have the standard layout.
@@ddion35 I bought the excel viper with a mud buddy 40 hdr. 1860. I went with the mud buddy blind and so far I like it! Getting 28 mph in a non broke in motor. That mud buddy blind is easy to set up and I like the ghillie appearance! Hope this helps!
What kind of fuel economy
It does not burn much fuel, I typically go on 4 to 5 hunts before I even think about adding fuel
What kind of seat is that
Excel makes the seat
Which prop are you running?
Big blade
I’ve got a 16 but 48in Hall poor craft 40 horse HDR mud buddy I’m getting 28 with all the duck God’s work in the right way