Question for Aquapod owners

C

Colin Fitzpatrick

Active member
I came across a good deal on a 10 ft explorer that I am going to pick up this weekend. I have been kicking around the idea of getting a layout boat for a while now, and decided that I didn't want to get a strictly layout style boat, rather something a little more vesatile. What I have in mind is using the boat for hunting puddlers in the marsh and also using it for divers out on the bay when the weather permits. Seems like a very cool little boat. Anyone have any experience with them?
 
I have had one for about 12 years or so, and use it exactly as you describe. Early season swamps where I can pull it over the beaver dams and late season as a layout for sea ducks.
The boat paddles ok, not as well as my kayak but is also very stable and has never felt tippy. It's a very versatile craft that is worth having in your hunting arsenal.
AP strapped into the tender for the ride out into Long Island Sound.
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Paddling away from the tender as a flock of sea ducks buzzes the decoys, The guys splashed two and I picked them up so they would not have to move.
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I had a couple for a while. Great sheltered water rig. Sold them to another member here. Pretty stable. The only reason I sold them is at the time I wanted a Momarsh boat I could hang a motor on.
 
I had a couple for a while. Great sheltered water rig. Sold them to another member here. Pretty stable. The only reason I sold them is at the time I wanted a Momarsh boat I could hang a motor on.
 
I have owned a number of marsh boats, canoes and kayaks thru the years. Many of them moved down the road, not the aqua pod. I went to small boats light enough to carry and move around easily by myself and don't need a boat launch (AP fits this). Or boats where I need a motor and use a trailer to haul them and need a boat launch to get in the water. Aqua pods are really versatile little boats.
 
I've had aqua pods since 1992 when you could buy them for $200. They are great versatile boats. Stable and easy to paddle. They do have short comings. They don't track well in strong winds perpendicular to your line of travel. They do not make good boats in fast flowing waters and will fill and capsize quickly (don't ask how I know). They do take small waves or chop ok, but bigger waves and whitecaps are unpleasant. Small water, protected marshes and sloughs are their home. I've thought about using one as a an open-water layout but have never done it.
 
I almost bought the molds in 1992 for $500. I used to live about 10 miles from the factory and they only made a few on custom order then. Very much a small side line to their fiberglass business at the time. They viewed it almost like a nuisance when duck hunters asked them to build a boat. Then the owner's son took over and realized there was a market. They have improved tremendously in quality and options in the last 22 years.
 
All went smoothly today and I came home with the pod! The boat had been used but only needed a few minor patches which I already took care of. Cant wait to get it on the water
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My boats are slowly taking the backyard over
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