Boat building decision, perhaps geared to guys that hunt in NJ Coastal region.

CAnderson

CAnderson

Well-known member
Hello to all. Thanks for a very informative site. I have been reading lots here and elsewhere about different duck boat designs. I do agree with many people that share the sentiment that a duck hunter needs more than one boat. Currently I hunt out of an Alumacraft 1650. Generally I hunt 2-3 people and 1-2 dogs. The boat is a little tight but it works.

I have been looking at building a boat with my son. If I did this, I would be looking to build something that would hunt 2 with 1-2 dogs. I have looked at the BBSBs, Gatorboats Duckhunter and Devlin's Designs Bluebill, Black Brant II and Black Brant III.

Currently, my 1650 doesn't really let me get back into a lot of shallower skinny water for puddlers. I have a canoe for really skinny water and some wood duck holes.

This would be for the marsh areas throughout the NJ Coastal Zone and even some through the South Zone. For those familiar with these areas would you be able to offer pros and cons on each of these boats and which might be the best fit. Perhaps this is a little too broad, but I am hoping those of you familiar with the boats and the hunting area will be able to help educate.

I am still fairly new to boats in the grand scheme of things (I don't have 30+ years of experience. . . I have maybe 10-15 years of boating experience and in that time have only owned 2 different boats, both aluminum.)

Thanks in advance.
 
Two people with a dog (or two) is going to rule out any traditionally styled sneakboxes as they are typically one man or one man and a dog boats.

I hunt out my sneakbox most of the time and almost exclusively on the coast, but when I need the extra room I have a modified 14ft Devlin Cackler that I really like. It floats really well and draws very little water for it's size and I think would be worth your consideration for your situation. Here are some pics to give you an idea.

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If you are looking at a stitch-n-glue boat... I would NOT recommend the BBII, or BBIII... To small... I would suggest the Devlin Scaup (16 or 18) or the Snowgoose or Honker
 
as Craig suggested I would look at something like that with a blind. There is not one boat that does it all especially when you are looking at a 2 man they all have pros and cons but what Craig suggested is a comprise
 
Hello to all. Thanks for a very informative site. I have been reading lots here and elsewhere about different duck boat designs. I do agree with many people that share the sentiment that a duck hunter needs more than one boat. Currently I hunt out of an Alumacraft 1650. Generally I hunt 2-3 people and 1-2 dogs. The boat is a little tight but it works.

I have been looking at building a boat with my son. If I did this, I would be looking to build something that would hunt 2 with 1-2 dogs. I have looked at the BBSBs, Gatorboats Duckhunter and Devlin's Designs Bluebill, Black Brant II and Black Brant III.

Currently, my 1650 doesn't really let me get back into a lot of shallower skinny water for puddlers. I have a canoe for really skinny water and some wood duck holes.

This would be for the marsh areas throughout the NJ Coastal Zone and even some through the South Zone. For those familiar with these areas would you be able to offer pros and cons on each of these boats and which might be the best fit. Perhaps this is a little too broad, but I am hoping those of you familiar with the boats and the hunting area will be able to help educate.

I am still fairly new to boats in the grand scheme of things (I don't have 30+ years of experience. . . I have maybe 10-15 years of boating experience and in that time have only owned 2 different boats, both aluminum.)

Thanks in advance.
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Try to get a look at the boat you are going to build before you do or at least a model one size up or down. I had never seen a snowgoose before I built, but I had seen a cackler and a black brant, so I had an idea of where it fit. People vary a lot as far as what they think is a 2 man boat. A lot of guys are happy with a black brant for 2 guys and a dog, I tend to agree with Phil that a black brant is on the smaller side for 2 guys plus dog - especially in big water. Some have said I have personal space issues, but it is more the clutter I don't like. I hunt out of a snowgoose and feel like it is a perfect size for 2 guys and a dog for coastal gunning, but is it much harder to hide than a black brant. I'll take 3 guys and a dog, but don't like to.

If you haven't seen a black brant they are very low boat, they hide well, but have low freeboard. Not that they are low freeboard unsafe, but they are different than a tin boat and hide much better.

One consideration that needs to be brought up is power. The boats need a lot of motor to get up and going. Consensus of those of us who run these boats is that max HP listed is the ideal minimum.

I may be wrong, but I don't think any of these boats will get you into places that your 1650 can't go.
 
Here are a couple pictures of Devlin Scaup, we used it as a layout boat for sea duck hunting on these trips, but it also does very well as a skinny water puddle duck boat too. Good luck with your build.

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Troy, great pictures to give a feel of the boats and great pics in general. Getting into one of the sneakbox type devlin boats is a surprise how low profile they are if you aren't used to it. Also gives a good idea on room for 2 guys and a dog in the cockpit of a Scaup, which is bigger than the Black Brants.
 
Thanks for the pics and thoughts so far. The Scaup was one of the first Devlin Designs I was looking at. That comes in 16-18' right? Then I started thinking I might want something a little smaller to hunt from since I already have the 1650. As mentioned, my current rig right aluminum and packed with all plastic dekes. I am a woodworker and perhaps like many others, I want to pass on my skills and knowledge to my son. He is now 10 y.o. and was old enough to gun with me. I want to teach him the value of working with your own hands, the joys of being successful with something that you created and hopefully show that you can be successful with well placed small spreads if you do your homework.

I have been wanting to do a boat build for a long time and now that the kids are getting big enough that they can help and be interested, it seems even a more natural time to start working on something. Truthfully, it is a boat if built right, that I would like to keep around for a long time. Someday the boy has to go to college or trade school, then married and kids. I figure eventually I will start losing him to life and will want the boat to be manageable for me to hunt alone with 1-2 pups.

I missed out on a 12' Bankes Intruder that was advertised on Craigslist last year. I keep looking at a fiberglass BBBSB that is listed right now. It is listed for $800, hull only, but does not state whether it is 12 or 14'. I think the smaller cockpit would be ok, as it would not be the everyday primary hunting rig. I would like it to be something that hides well. And I would also like to try some of the sneaking tactics with the boat. I think that is why I am primarily thinking something smaller.

Troy, that Scaup looks like a nice build. So without a motor on that hull, do you tow it out with the bigger boat behind it in the first pic. Do you guys just anchor up or do you row with it too? You have a couple of Eiders on the deck and the one picture with you against the rocks makes it look like its our front. Does that get a bit hairy in a boat that sits so low?

Thanks again for the suggestions and thoughts.
 
Thanks for the pics and thoughts so far. The Scaup was one of the first Devlin Designs I was looking at. That comes in 16-18' right? Then I started thinking I might want something a little smaller to hunt from since I already have the 1650. As mentioned, my current rig right aluminum and packed with all plastic dekes. I am a woodworker and perhaps like many others, I want to pass on my skills and knowledge to my son. He is now 10 y.o. and was old enough to gun with me. I want to teach him the value of working with your own hands, the joys of being successful with something that you created and hopefully show that you can be successful with well placed small spreads if you do your homework.

I have been wanting to do a boat build for a long time and now that the kids are getting big enough that they can help and be interested, it seems even a more natural time to start working on something. Truthfully, it is a boat if built right, that I would like to keep around for a long time. Someday the boy has to go to college or trade school, then married and kids. I figure eventually I will start losing him to life and will want the boat to be manageable for me to hunt alone with 1-2 pups.

I missed out on a 12' Bankes Intruder that was advertised on Craigslist last year. I keep looking at a fiberglass BBBSB that is listed right now. It is listed for $800, hull only, but does not state whether it is 12 or 14'. I think the smaller cockpit would be ok, as it would not be the everyday primary hunting rig. I would like it to be something that hides well. And I would also like to try some of the sneaking tactics with the boat. I think that is why I am primarily thinking something smaller.

Troy, that Scaup looks like a nice build. So without a motor on that hull, do you tow it out with the bigger boat behind it in the first pic. Do you guys just anchor up or do you row with it too? You have a couple of Eiders on the deck and the one picture with you against the rocks makes it look like its our front. Does that get a bit hairy in a boat that sits so low?

Thanks again for the suggestions and thoughts.
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These boats a very fun to build the designs are forgiving if you do your part on remembering the fundamentals of lofting the pieces carefully and keeping the boat nice and square until it is locked in with glass. Anyone who enjoys building things should be good to go, both in terms of enjoyment and skill.

Find someone close by and look at one, they are all the same as far as construction, just different sizes and shapes. You have an invite if you are ever driving through CT on I95 or I84, I'll even have a cold beer handy for you.

To get an idea of price to build, Devlin used to have a sheet for all the duckboats that included price to build, but I think that sheet is no longer available. As of 5-10 years ago the materials price seemed to work out well for a basic build of the boat that did not include hardware or electronic (these two do add up), this is of course built using the top quality materials that Devlin says are required for his boats. Someone will correct me if the page I'm talking about exists, it was nice to guide the process, had things like final size, draft, profile, seaworthyness, etc...

T
 
I do tow it out with a bigger boat when we use it as a layout boat. I have a 15hp Evinrude that I use for puddle ducks and fishing on the local lakes. YES, the 15hp is much smaller than the 40hp rating but I usually am not in much of hurry on those days. As far as safety, the boat is incredibly stable, much more than it appears in any photo and they simply ride up and over the waves. The most dangerous part of layout hunting in big water is the transfer from boat to boat, IMO. The boat is not set up for oars yet, but that is on the to do list for this summer. I've only owned the boat for a year now, it was built by a good friend of mine in NH and he hunted it for 5 years or so. I've seen this boat in some pretty nasty water and was amazed at how it handled it, that's why I bought it. I also have a Z.T. Widgeon type boat that I built for little solo hunts, but truth be told, if I could only own one boat for duck hunting it would be the Devlin Scaup. It is small enough to handle by yourself, low enough to hide with the best of them and big enough for two adult hunters (200lbs+/-), 1-2 dogs, decoys and gear. I've actually considered putting a small dodger and decoy racks on it, kind of a BBSB on steroids. Have a great time with your build. A great father son project.
 
I plan to head down to Tuckerton this year. It will be my first trip. Are there many boats like these to look at and get an idea of how they look and such?

Tod- I looked at the list of sneak boat stats over on the other page here on the site. That is a great list of stats. I didn't realize how wide some of those boats were. A 16' Scaup is almost 22" wider than my current rig. That thing must be very stable. The Bluebill is as wide if not wider than my current rig and is only like 12' long.

Tod- Thanks for the offer on the cold beverage. Perhaps I need to book a trip with Troy for some Eider ducks and stop by on the way up to take a look at your rig and share a cold one.

I try to make an annual trip to ME for the Grouse opener as I have a friend and old hunting partner that lives up near the Belgrade Lakes. My wife also works for LL Bean, so a trip to Mecca is always in order. She is asking to spend more time in ME too. I like that line of thinking.
 
I plan to head down to Tuckerton this year. It will be my first trip. Are there many boats like these to look at and get an idea of how they look and such?

Tod- I looked at the list of sneak boat stats over on the other page here on the site. That is a great list of stats. I didn't realize how wide some of those boats were. A 16' Scaup is almost 22" wider than my current rig. That thing must be very stable. The Bluebill is as wide if not wider than my current rig and is only like 12' long.

Tod- Thanks for the offer on the cold beverage. Perhaps I need to book a trip with Troy for some Eider ducks and stop by on the way up to take a look at your rig and share a cold one.

I try to make an annual trip to ME for the Grouse opener as I have a friend and old hunting partner that lives up near the Belgrade Lakes. My wife also works for LL Bean, so a trip to Mecca is always in order. She is asking to spend more time in ME too. I like that line of thinking.
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The Devlin boats are not a Tuckerton staple, since Jersey has such a rich history of building duckboats.

They are wide and low. When you first start driving them they feel like driving a surf board.

I don't know who has what in Jersey as far as Devlin boats to put you on, especially a Black Brant. Obviously you have an invite to look at mine, but it isn't a Black Brant, but it woudl give you an idea of construction. If you want to find one to look at make a call in a new post, not everyone reads all posts.
 
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We have a Black Brant II in our fleet. I don't know if I'm any closer to you than Tod, but your welcome to come out to look at it and go for a ride. I'm about 45 minutes east of the GWB on the South shore of Long Island. That's with no traffic of course.
 
Thanks for the pics and thoughts so far. The Scaup was one of the first Devlin Designs I was looking at. That comes in 16-18' right? Then I started thinking I might want something a little smaller to hunt from since I already have the 1650. As mentioned, my current rig right aluminum and packed with all plastic dekes. I am a woodworker and perhaps like many others, I want to pass on my skills and knowledge to my son. He is now 10 y.o. and was old enough to gun with me. I want to teach him the value of working with your own hands, the joys of being successful with something that you created and hopefully show that you can be successful with well placed small spreads if you do your homework.

I have been wanting to do a boat build for a long time and now that the kids are getting big enough that they can help and be interested, it seems even a more natural time to start working on something. Truthfully, it is a boat if built right, that I would like to keep around for a long time. Someday the boy has to go to college or trade school, then married and kids. I figure eventually I will start losing him to life and will want the boat to be manageable for me to hunt alone with 1-2 pups.

I missed out on a 12' Bankes Intruder that was advertised on Craigslist last year. I keep looking at a fiberglass BBBSB that is listed right now. It is listed for $800, hull only, but does not state whether it is 12 or 14'. I think the smaller cockpit would be ok, as it would not be the everyday primary hunting rig. I would like it to be something that hides well. And I would also like to try some of the sneaking tactics with the boat. I think that is why I am primarily thinking something smaller.

Troy, that Scaup looks like a nice build. So without a motor on that hull, do you tow it out with the bigger boat behind it in the first pic. Do you guys just anchor up or do you row with it too? You have a couple of Eiders on the deck and the one picture with you against the rocks makes it look like its our front. Does that get a bit hairy in a boat that sits so low?

Thanks again for the suggestions and thoughts.
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I'll even have a cold beer handy for you.

T
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I bet I could guess what kind? ;)
 
Thanks for the pics and thoughts so far. The Scaup was one of the first Devlin Designs I was looking at. That comes in 16-18' right? Then I started thinking I might want something a little smaller to hunt from since I already have the 1650. As mentioned, my current rig right aluminum and packed with all plastic dekes. I am a woodworker and perhaps like many others, I want to pass on my skills and knowledge to my son. He is now 10 y.o. and was old enough to gun with me. I want to teach him the value of working with your own hands, the joys of being successful with something that you created and hopefully show that you can be successful with well placed small spreads if you do your homework.

I have been wanting to do a boat build for a long time and now that the kids are getting big enough that they can help and be interested, it seems even a more natural time to start working on something. Truthfully, it is a boat if built right, that I would like to keep around for a long time. Someday the boy has to go to college or trade school, then married and kids. I figure eventually I will start losing him to life and will want the boat to be manageable for me to hunt alone with 1-2 pups.

I missed out on a 12' Bankes Intruder that was advertised on Craigslist last year. I keep looking at a fiberglass BBBSB that is listed right now. It is listed for $800, hull only, but does not state whether it is 12 or 14'. I think the smaller cockpit would be ok, as it would not be the everyday primary hunting rig. I would like it to be something that hides well. And I would also like to try some of the sneaking tactics with the boat. I think that is why I am primarily thinking something smaller.

Troy, that Scaup looks like a nice build. So without a motor on that hull, do you tow it out with the bigger boat behind it in the first pic. Do you guys just anchor up or do you row with it too? You have a couple of Eiders on the deck and the one picture with you against the rocks makes it look like its our front. Does that get a bit hairy in a boat that sits so low?

Thanks again for the suggestions and thoughts.
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I'll even have a cold beer handy for you.

T
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I bet I could guess what kind? ;)
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We are going through those pretty good. Beer battered onion rings are popular with the 4 and under crowd :).
 
If your coming to Maine look me up. I'm about 45 minutes off I-95 in southern Maine. You are more than welcome to try the boat. I live right on a lake so it's just a matter of dropping it in and off you go.

As for the beer...hope you drink Sam Adams.

Even if you put your build off for a year and come up to bird hunt in the fall just give a call and I'll make sure the boat is available.
Troy
 
There'sa few Devlin's around south Jersey. I had a modified Mallard ( similar to a Bluebill) I have a buddy that has a bluebill and mallard. Also a few of the devlin Garveys around also, I just have to remember who owns them currently.
 
There'sa few Devlin's around south Jersey. I had a modified Mallard ( similar to a Bluebill) I have a buddy that has a bluebill and mallard. Also a few of the devlin Garveys around also, I just have to remember who owns them currently.
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Dammit Jode, get the thinking cap on and make sure there is a decent brew involved.
 
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