Can a Mud Skipper Motor Run Rapids like a Jet Boat ???

I have taken this combo of a Mud-Skipper 6.5 HP (Honda Powered) and 12' Jon Boat on many shallow Rocky rivers but this River has the fastest runs and biggest rapids I have run yet. The Sears Jon Boat and the Mud Skipper performed flawlessly. She really impressed me on the water today.
I will have a fishing video from this trip out soon.
#mudskipper
#jonboat
#jetboat
#stauntonriver
Staunton River Altavista, Virginia
Please post comments on what you think. Thanks , Mack

[@erik041982]

Obviously not dudes first rodeo through this section of the river !! I've ventured upstream on rivers enough to know that current is strong pretty impressive for a little Honda engine.

[@MackinNC1]

thanks for watching!

[@erik041982]

I know just how it is man. The shallower it gets the stronger the current. I'm going have to get a set up like you had in video 👍👍

[@CrazyBoutFishin2380]

Great video. I love the dog.

[@thegreenberetlife0191]

Pete kicks ass! Cute puppy!

[@brianreuber5768]

I'm impressed how well you and your boat performed in the shallow river. Nice job my friend.

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks for watching !

[@ddhh6552]

It makes me want one for my grumman sport boat. Good job navigating

[@MackinNC1]

thanks!

[@josephmartino9858]

Great video you now have me as a subscriber. Please do more videos. Going to build one this winter.

[@MackinNC1]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jakemccann3340]

Awesome Job Bro!!

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks for the visit

[@jesseworsham2799]

I’m also from Altavista VA, I’m watching this video because I have a 12ft jon boat I want to put a mud motor on haha

[@MackinNC1]

thanks for watching. i need to get back up there.

[@kennethhudson8013]

You are the boss! Southern brother!

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks!!!

[@psychedelicarmadillo9457]

Very rad!

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks!! Its a mean little machine!

[@darrellbeam9751]

Way to go Pete "No Fear"

[@MackinNC1]

He Loves to fish. Unfortunately he had a seizure coming back down fishing. first one he has had while out in the field though he has had a few at home. He bounced back and had a good time.

[@chrisdarnell9280]

Nice video my man I'm gonna put one together for the NEW .

[@MackinNC1]

Chris, thanks for watching!

[@unclejess8742]

Nice setup. Earned a subscription. I have a 1232 smoker craft and a 11hp Honda longtail. Hoping to have it ready to hit the upper and lower James.

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks for watching. 11hp should be a screamer.

[@unclejess8742]

Mack's Extreme River Fishing & Outdoors gets a little sketchy running wide open but the extra hp is great in thick lily pads and grass. Eventually gonna downsize the motor or upsize the boat. Haven’t decided yet.

[@MackinNC1]

@@unclejess8742 1 of my mechanics at work has a 11hp honda motor that he will sell me for 100 bucks, I may just have to get it and hold on to it and then look for a 14' er...

[@zachdowns1167]

I actually just bought a similar boat and was wandering if it would be able to handle such a task with only a 6 hp Sears outboard from 1961. This has help a lot thank you

[@MackinNC1]

awesome! tks for watching.

[@jonblazejc]

Great video! I know exactly where you at on the river. That is a hard section to navigate!!!

[@MackinNC1]

You got that right!

[@SouthernRiverFishing]

Great to know Mack. I have been wondering about that for some time. I figured with my luck I would break the prop off on a rock. I might have to try this out.

[@MackinNC1]

I have hit a few rocks and logs, the guard in front of it has protected it every time and it has just popped the longtail up and out of the water. I do have a spare prop on hand as one day it will get bent. they are cheap. thanks for watching.

[@Swampwild1]

I have a River just like that. Rocks and rapids every couple of miles. We kayak it but I want to be able to motor upstream. Mud skipper Jon boat is good budget solution. I bet I could drag it over the worst parts. Thanks!

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks for stopping by...that first big one on the right I may drag around it next time but good to know I can run it if needed..... Thanks mack

[@jacklowe3788]

I'm in central VA. Run the James w/ Longtail s - They do Good for little money- Thanks for Video.

[@MackinNC1]

Thanks for watching!

[@MackinNC1]

Oh, what is your setup???

[@jacklowe3788]

@@MackinNC1 Sorry missed this question last year- I'm running predator on small kit on 15' Grumman Sport Boat - Just picked up 1436 Jon to try out - What boat size you gave there What area James you fish? Thanks for video - I'm in Nelson area

[@MackinNC1]

@@jacklowe3788 Staunton not James

[@uncleben140]

Wow! Your boat caught my eye, as I just bought a 88' sears that look almost identical! Then I realized you were on a stretch of river I fished for about 10 years! Great video! How's the mud tail holding up?

[@MackinNC1]

She is still going strong....tks for watching.

[@ev_blue]

Hey Mack- did you plant that catalpa tree behind you for bait?

[@MackinNC1]

Good eye, yes I am only 1 of 2 homes that I have noticed in my town that Have one. It hasnt had worms in 6-7 years, I accuse my wife of spraying chemicals on and around it to deter them!........I meant to put some on it this summer but couldnt find any. The first few years I had this tree it was loaded with them, now none.

[@gregcarden9025]

What size motor do you have and boat, loved the video!

[@MackinNC1]

12' Jon and that is a 6.5 honda on it. tks Mack

[@jeffjoyce1607]

Boat did great. Where are the fish?

[@MackinNC1]

Was a rough day fishing, maybe 6 smallies and all were like their name. **small** 1 red breast and 1 chub that may of gave the world record a run. Thought I had a good smallie on. All on Crik hopper. only had 3 bites on Whopper Plopper and no hookups though they were good fish. No hits on spinner bait so I went Micro.

[@soupertrooper3864]

That one at about 2:38 looked like a pretty steep climb

[@MackinNC1]

it was!!

[@facelessaquatics1310]

I know where you are at. I fish that river around the park a lot for cats.

[@MackinNC1]

awesome place it is...tks for watching

[@tkirkbride01]

What size motor are you running here?

[@MackinNC1]

Pretty sure it is a 6.5 GX200 Honda , Tks for watching!

[@B-DINO]

So it's fine hitting some rocks with one of those motors?

[@MackinNC1]

yes........

[@joshreed7102]

That’s awesome but how’s it coming back down. Don’t you have to keep up speed?

[@MackinNC1]

I just floated down through the major ones with bow pointed upstream and me steering with paddle sitting in front. pretty easy. The small ones i just motored down through them,

[@richardbarry220]

If you can find one ? get a 9 horsepower Subaru overhead cam rated at 4000 RPMs.. I'm running on a Stumpjumper.. direct drive 14 ft Jon. with weight in the front for balance the boat can get 23 24 miles an hour..

[@MackinNC1]

thanks for watching. I want no part of a subaru engine. I manage the biggest outdoor power equipment store around and subaru part s are very hard to get.

[@godslittleman5451]

I’ve heard a lot of guys puttin holes in their jet boats on the first day out. Goin to fast

[@MackinNC1]

that is true, I dont run fast unless I KNOW the river. if you see me running fast I have been on that stretch many many times and know where the rocks are. tks for wacthing. Mack

[@mickfenton2221]

Engine size? Surface drive?

[@MackinNC1]

6.5 hp honda on a Longtail.

[@calebmorris5583]

Link to the motor and skipper kit???

[@MackinNC1]

You can see the Mud-Skipper site here mud-skipper.com/ The honda motor (new) is unavailable right now. Honda is way behind on production nd it is min 6mos to a year before some are available. I got mine off of a pressure washer that the pump went bad on but the motor was in good.

[@calebmorris5583]

10-4 good buddy. I have been checking them out. Looking for my 12.5ft v bottom. Wonder if 6.5hp enough or go up to a 9.9 or 12hp. I'm also in Va James and Jackson Cowpasture rivers near me. Lots of rapids and flowing water. Looking to charge up them. The clutch kit looks like a good option added to have a neutral instead of engine turning 24/7.

[@hooksetchris]

What size engine is that?

[@MackinNC1]

200 cc. 6.5 hp

[@hooksetchris]

@@MackinNC1 thank you sir

[@connorblake2291]

Whay size prop?

[@MackinNC1]

I think that was a 6.5

[@gamefadayz4121]

I'm just worried about coming back down🤷‍♂️

[@MackinNC1]

I floated down the rapidis with the bow upstream and me sitting on the front using paddle to steer. I chose this way as if boat hits a rock and stops you do not want the flat end up stream ans the current hitting the flat stern would be bad. Same as whyyou dont anchor in current with stern up stream. It worked out well that day.

[@RobertMiller-tu6zq]

I cannot believe you call those riffles "rapids"

[@MackinNC1]

Well what is it then?? It surely isnt slack or still water. T he American White water association calls it a rapid. Levels 1-6 and this was a 1 pushing a 2. it is surely not a "riffle"