Peter Bates
The boat started out as a 10ft Aquapod. This boat is very stable but the opening was too narrow to be able to lay down in and in rough water the waves would come over the sides. I wanted to be able to use the boat both as a layout and as a swamp boat so I made a few changes. I used it as a layout last fall and it worked very well, it handled a two foot chop with no problem. The wider opening allows me to get my shoulders through the opening and the splash shield keeps water out. The seat has two positions, one for hunting and the other for paddeling. he grassing rail makes it easier to hide in the marsh, also gives me something to get hold of when I take it in and out of my tender boat. This boat weighs 70lbs so it is not to hard to handle. The entire boat has an added layer of 10oz fiberglass for added strength. The decoy on the boat is one of the cork whistlers I am working on, the bluebills are next. I had a great time building the boat. Twenty yards of cloth and 2 gallons of West System epoxy and it was ready to use. I have been duck hunting for over 35 years and it's nice to see that there are other hunters out there that get as much pleasure as I do in making boats and decoys. Shooting is just an added benefit.
