Mud Motor or Outboard? You decide...
When the A&E's Duck Dynasty® and History Channel's Swamp People® TV shows were at their peak a few years back, the sport of duck hunting saw an unprecedented surge in new hunters entering the sport, ready to cut their teeth in the swamps, rivers, and bayous all over the country. These new hunters entered the sport with an obsession, outfitting themselves with the latest boats, motors, guns, gear, and equipment that money could buy, heading out to make new family traditions every generation could share in.
Simply put, the face of duck hunting and boating was changing, along with the market for specialized equipment. That change brought a common question our outfitters would answer seemingly hundreds of times over the next several years as we helped new hunters get ready for the water.
The BIG Question:
"DO I NEED A MUD MOTOR OR AN OUTBOARD?"
The simple answer is "it just depends." There are already countless posts on the pros and cons of mud motor vs. outboard and this is not meant to advocate or disparage one or the other. Both are great for what they were designed to do. Folks seem unusually passionate about this topic and diehards want to argue their points for both. Nothing new can really be said that had not already been extensively debated. Whether you agree or disagree, both do have their place.
If you (like most of us) have been watching hundreds of action packed videos on YouTube® showing guys jumping beaver dams, sliding over debris, going airborne over logs, and sliding through marshgrass with ease, you probably have thought "that looks cool! I want one of those!" Before you do, though, we suggest that you take a hard look at how you plan to do 90% of your boating and hunting. Maybe, just maybe, you won't be jumping, logs, dams, and small islands. Maybe you will just be using your rig to get to and from your hunting spot, most of the time in open water. Maybe the maintenance is a little more than you bargained for (mud motors usually require a little more more maintenance than outboards.) If that is the case, perhaps an outboard would be the better choice.
The choice, ultimately, depends on the user and the type of waters (or lack thereof) you plan on navigating. Ask yourself this: Are you doing a majority of your hunting or fishing in a situation with lots of mud, thick vegetation, or underwater debris? Thick grass and lilies? Extremely shallow or stump filled waters? If you answered yes to any of these, a surface drive mud motor might just be for you. If you are hunting or fishing in a situation where a mud motor would be the ONLY way to navigate where you need to go, then go ahead and spring for that new, go-anywhere, motor. They will take you to spots you never imagined with an outboard.
Mud motors are a tool - albeit a fun to use tool - but a tool, none-the-less. They were designed to do a specific job. Mud Motors excel at getting us places boats weren’t originally designed to take us. When paired with the proper hull, they can provide on-water durability, versatility, and utility on par with the capabilities that an ATV or 4X4 pickup can on land. They are often called the "off road vehicle of the boating world." They are definitely not the "go to church on Sunday" vehicle. Most of us would not fire up the four wheeler when it is time to take the kids to school or baseball practice. You can, but you probably don't. 
The bottom line is that mud motors do give you more options for places to go and spots to hunt - but with more frequent maintenance and upkeep. Outboards are quieter, easier to operate, and horsepower to horsepower, less expensive. Everyone has an opinion about both, but the best advice is to take a good look at what you think your needs realistically are and then make a decision that will be the right one for you. Purchase for the 90% and live with the remaining 10%. Yes, a mud motor can take you anywhere an outboard can, but the same cannot be said for an outboard. We have heard that. But the difference is really needs vs wants. Again, both are great, but which one is best for you?
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to our knowledgeable staff here at Muddy Bay® Marine. We stock and sell both outboards and mud motors and have been for quite some time. We are more than happy to help answer any questions you may have about either, and discuss the features, options, and choices. We love hunting and fishing and can also help with some first hand experience on both. We look forward to it. Now, Let's Take It Outside.®
Trim up and Hammer Down
Andrew W. Benton
Master Outfitter