What Mud Buddy does

Mud Buddy Motors is a private US manufacturer of shallow water outboard motors (commonly called mud motors) founded in 1994 by Glenn D. Foreman and headquartered in West Jordan, Utah. The company designs, manufactures, and distributes specialized propulsion systems engineered to navigate extremely shallow water, thick mud, vegetation, and flooded timber where conventional outboards cannot operate. Its core product lines are the HDR (Hyper Drive Reverse) surface drive motors ranging from 25 HP to the flagship 5400 model, Sport V vertical outboard-style surface drives, Longtail and Super Longtail gear-reduction models (7-40 HP), and Mini Hyper Drive Sport compact motors. Supporting the motor portfolio is a proprietary aftermarket ecosystem of propellers (Warrior, Big Blade, Hammer, Raptor II, Tiger), performance parts (Q mufflers, blueprinted heads), and accessories sold through an online store and the Backwater Performance Systems partner.

The underlying technology platform combines third-party engine powerheads (primarily Briggs & Stratton Vanguard and Kohler, with an in-house ARKMOS Engineering engine for the 5400 model) with Mud Buddy's proprietary drive systems. These include two US patents on the drive seal and bearing system (developed nearly 30 years ago), patented belt drive configurations (first belt drive short tail and longtail), a patented propeller design, and integrations of Mercury cone clutch and hydraulic trim components. Over 90% of parts are sourced from Utah-based manufacturers, supporting a localized supply chain, and the 5400 engine is EPA certified for use in federally protected marshes and state hunting areas.

Mud Buddy operates a dealer-based go-to-market model exclusively, with what the company describes as the largest mud motor dealer network in the world, supported by a website dealer locator, active dealer recruitment with protected territories, and dedicated national sales representatives. The company does not sell direct to consumers for its motor lineup, with end prices ranging from $2,744 for the entry-level Longtail 7 Kohler to $12,322 for the top-tier HDR 5400 EFI Timber King. Customer segments are dominated by waterfowl hunters as the primary persona, followed by shallow water anglers and general outdoor enthusiasts. Sister companies include Excel Boat Company (shallow water boats, factories in Arkansas and Tennessee) and Arkmos Engineering (engine development in Utah), both sharing operational overlap with Mud Buddy's dealer network.

Name

Mud Buddy

Legal name

Mud Buddy Motors

Website

https://mudbuddy.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Mud Buddy is a US private manufacturer of shallow water outboard motors (mud motors) founded in 1994, serving waterfowl hunters, shallow water anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts through the world's largest dedicated mud motor dealer network, with product lines ranging from 7 HP longtails to a flagship 5400 model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Speed Changer, Industrial High-Speed Drive, and Gear Manufacturing (333612)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Skid Steer & Compact Track Loaders (IMAHAAAE)

Keywords

• Shallow water outboards
• Mud motors manufacturing
• Surface drive motors
• Longtail boat motors
• Waterfowl hunting motors

Headquarters

HQ city

West Jordan

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations

Revenue model

1. Mud Motor Sales: Primary revenue from manufacturing and selling mud motors. Products include Hyper Drive Reverse (HDR) surface drives, Sport V vertical surface drives, Super Longtail gear-driven motors, Longtail models, and Mini HD surface drives. Engines sourced from Briggs & Stratton Vanguard and Kohler.
2. Parts and Accessories: Aftermarket parts including propellers (Warrior, Big Blade, Hammer, Raptor II), drives, castings, stainless steel drives, and performance upgrades. Also includes boat and motor accessories through their online store.
3. Performance Upgrades: High-performance parts and upgrades sold through Backwater Performance Systems including carb kits, cylinder heads, and other performance components for upgrading motors.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mud Buddy manufactures shallow-water outboard motors (mud motors) used by waterfowl hunters and anglers to access marshes, timber, and backwater areas inaccessible to conventional outboards. The product line includes HDR (Hyper Drive Reverse) surface drives, Sport V vertical surface drives, Super Longtail and Longtail gear-driven motors, Mini surface drives, plus proprietary propellers, performance parts, and accessories — all sold through an exclusive authorized US dealer network. Engines are sourced from Briggs & Stratton Vanguard and Kohler, paired with Mud Buddy's patented drive seal and bearing systems, belt-drive systems, and Q muffler technology.

Product overview

Mud Buddy is the world's largest mud motor company specializing in shallow water outboard motors for hunting and fishing applications. The product portfolio consists of four main motor lines: (1) HDR (Hyper Drive Reverse) surface drive motors ranging from 25-5400hp for short-tail applications, including the flagship HDR 5400 claimed as the world's most powerful production surface drive; (2) Sport V vertical outboard-style surface drive motors with Mercury Alpha inboard drive gearing for 4-wheel drive outboard experience; (3) Long Tails including standard and Super variants with gear reduction and neutral, ranging from 7-40hp; and (4) Mini Hyper Drive Sport compact motors for smaller boats. Supporting products include proprietary propellers (Warrior, Big Blade, Hammer, Raptor II, Tiger), performance parts (heads, mufflers, drives), and related brand Excel Boats for shallow water vessels. The company holds patents for drive seal and bearing systems and propeller designs, and sources over 90% of parts from Utah manufacturers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HDR 5400 EFI World's most powerful production surface drive mud motor, featuring EPA certified ARKMOS engine, high performance Q muffler, blueprinted heads with oversized valves, and Warrior propeller. Designed for large boats (16'-20') requiring maximum power for hunting loads and long distances.
• HDR 4000R EFI High-performance variant of HDR 40 featuring Briggs 40hp Vanguard motor with custom upgrades including Q high performance muffler, modified air cleaner, custom gearing, and Warrior 9 pitch propeller. Marketed as most powerful and fastest Vanguard 40 motor.
• HDR 40 EFI Premium surface drive mud motor with 40hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard EFI engine, featuring new outboard-style handle with 7-position adjustment, twin trim switches, travel lock, and Mercury 5000 pound actuator. Includes Warrior propeller options.
• HDR 40 EFI Timber King Timber-specific variant of HDR 40 EFI with 27 inch shorter drive for enhanced maneuverability around trees and stumps. Features stainless timber hand guard, oil cooler brush cover, Q stainless performance muffler, and Warrior/Hammer propeller options.
• HDR 5400 EFI Timber King Top-of-line timber-specific variant featuring the 5400 high performance EPA certified engine with 27 inch shorter drive. Includes Q high performance quiet muffler approved for federal and state hunting areas.
• HDR 35 CDI Carbureted surface drive mud motor with 35hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard CDI engine. Features K&N air filter option, Raptor 3-blade propeller option, and compact handle controls with electric shift and trim.
• HDR 25 Kohler EFI Entry-level Hyper Drive Reverse motor with 25hp Kohler V-twin engine. Features electric shift reverse, Mercury built hydraulic trim, built-in vibration dampers, and Big Blade propeller. Designed for small to medium boats (15'-17').
• Sport V 44 Black Death Most powerful vertical surface drive motor featuring ARKMOS engine with Mikuni 42mm performance carburetor and custom heads. Uses Mercury Alpha inboard drive gearing, features Raptor II propeller, Q performance muffler. 44hp at 4300 RPM for 16'-19' boats.
• Sport V 40 EFI Vertical outboard-style mud motor with 40hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard 993cc 4-stroke engine. Features handle shift forward, neutral and reverse, with Mercury actuator trim and twin articulating balance swivel for exceptional handling.
• Sport V 35 CDI Balanced vertical outboard mud motor with 35hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard CDI engine. Features handle shift F-N-R, Mercury hydraulic trim with dual trim switches, cast aluminum outdrive and stainless drive/skeg.
• Super Longtail 40 EFI Only longtail with gear reduction and neutral. Features 40hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard EFI engine with electric clutch, forward/neutral gears, Uniframe one piece frame, and hardened steel drive tube. For 16'-18' boats.
• Super Longtail 35 CDI Gear reduction longtail with electric clutch neutral and forward gears. Features 993cc 4-Stroke Briggs engine, belt drive for maximum power, adjustable skeg, and 10x6 stainless hex shaft propeller.
• Longtail 40 EFI Classic longtail motor with 40hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard engine. Features Uniframe one piece frame, patented bearing drive, steel drive tube and skeg, built-in travel lock. Swivels into boat for trailering. For 16'-19' boats.
• Longtail 35 CDI Workhorse longtail with 35hp Briggs & Stratton Vanguard CDI engine. Features gear reduction for most powerful and fastest longtail performance, patented bearing drive, and Tiger propeller. For 16'-18' boats.
• Longtail 25 EFI Fuel-efficient longtail with 25hp Kohler EFI engine. Features Uniframe frame, adjustable transom height (15'-21'), patented bearing drive, and Tiger propeller. Ideal for long days on water with better fuel economy.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30% more power than any other production mud motor
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Briggs & StrattoncoreTechnology or IntegrationPrimary engine supplier for mud motors. Provides Vanguard engines ranging from 7 HP to 40+ HP. Partnership of over 25 years. Briggs & Stratton engines are now made in the USA and used across multiple Mud Buddy product lines including HDR, Sport V, Longtail, and Mini models.
• KohlercoreTechnology or IntegrationEngine supplier for select mud motor models. Provides Kohler V-twin engines. Company has used Kohler engines for over 25 years with established reputation for durability and dependability. Used in HDR 25 and Mini 25 models.
• Excel BoatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company producing shallow water boats. Excel Boats has factories in Arkansas and Tennessee. Products include F4 Shallow Water Series, River Warrior, Eclipse, and Switchblade models. Dealers often sell both Mud Buddy motors and Excel Boats together. National sales representative Dave Reynolds handles both Mud Buddy dealer and Excel Boats dealer inquiries.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Kohler Engines: Kohler supplies V-twin engines for select Mud Buddy models (HDR 25, Mini 25, Longtail 7, Longtail 25) and has been a partner for over 25 years. A key upstream supplier rather than competitor.
• Briggs & Stratton: Briggs & Stratton is the primary engine supplier (Vanguard) for Mud Buddy's motors. It is a strategic supplier relationship rather than a direct competitor, but its product decisions directly affect Mud Buddy's motor lineup.

Broad incumbents

• Yamaha Marine: Yamaha is a major conventional outboard motor manufacturer serving the broader boating market. While it does not specialize in shallow water mud motors, it competes at the higher end of electric-start outboards that overlap with Mud Buddy's Sport V vertical transmission models.
• Tohatsu: Tohatsu manufactures portable and small outboard motors broadly used in fishing and recreational boating. As a broad-line incumbent, it offers overlapping capabilities to Mud Buddy's customers but does not address the specialized shallow water mud motor niche.
• Mercury Marine: Mercury Marine is a major broad-line outboard motor manufacturer that supplies components (cone clutch, hydraulic trim actuators) to Mud Buddy. Mercury competes at the high end of conventional outboards but does not specialize in shallow water mud motors.

Direct peers

• Bison Mud Motors: Bison Mud Motors manufactures surface drive mud motors primarily for waterfowl hunters, competing most directly with Mud Buddy's HDR and Sport V product lines in similar shallow water applications.
• Gator Tail: Gator Tail makes surface drive and longtail mud motors for waterfowl hunters and shallow water anglers, offering comparable product configurations (though typically with lower-horsepower options) and overlapping dealer bases in the southern US.
• Go-Devil: Go-Devil manufactures longtail and surface drive mud motors for shallow water hunting and fishing, directly competing with Mud Buddy's Longtail and HDR lines in the same niche market and through similar dealer networks.
• Surface Drive Mud Motors: Surface Drive produces surface drive mud motors for shallow water hunting, offering a more focused product line compared to Mud Buddy's broader portfolio but competing in the same core surface drive category.

Regional players

• Excel Boats: Excel Boats is Mud Buddy's sister company, manufacturing shallow water boats (F4 Shallow Water Series, River Warrior, Eclipse, Switchblade) with factories in Arkansas and Tennessee. It is a related brand under shared ownership/management, not a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtiktok.com/@mudbuddy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLzaVW8MQ9paSy305eoxlN6zX0Q0fMzs4V
• Facebookfacebook.com/mudbuddy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/mud-buddy-motors

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mud Buddy