Anybody on here built one?
Is 6 HP good enough for a 12' v Hull aluminum?
Scratch build or kit?
So many questions...

I run a 6.5 predator on my 14x36 with plenty of power so I'd imagine you would be fine

Havent built one but have a Backwater six n a half on a Carstens twelve foot bluebill. Its awesome, but will also be replaced w a ten horse when I have the money and this engine will get put on a square stern canoe I have. Bigger is more for river/big water running, and all my boats will get a gator glide or similar coating. If you run woody rivers hard, youre gonna have leak w rivets...

OK, so yesterday I picked up a 6HP engine (208 cc) from Princess Auto for $88 CAD
I see Swamp Runner conversion kits for the Harbor Freight Predator engines run about $400 USD for the size I would need.

A new Merc. 6.5 HP runs about $1,800 USD, so if I can find or build a conversion kit that works I figure I am still significantly ahead of the game, no?

Most everything here is nothing more than canals or oversized creeks (50-100' across max), sheltered between levees.
The reason I am looking at a mud motor is because lots of these creeks and ditches have sections of 18" depth (heavily silted) and sections up to 15' deep at bends. The silting makes walking the edges a pain in the butt but there are beaver, coon, muskrat and mink in some fairly inaccessible (from land side) areas.

For fishing I would either stick to bass/bluegill (minn kota) or carp/catfish (anchor)... if I want pickerel or perch I'll beg an invite with somebody else LOL

No longer interested in musky fishing as I've caught a few over 50" and feel like I can close that chapter without investing big bucks in equipment LOL

I also feel this will be a plus to have if I ever hunt waterfowl on public water again.