BBII or BBIII

Phil Nowack

Phil Nowack

Well-known member
According to the Devlin site, the BBII drafts over 3" deeper than the BBIII, is that due to a deeper V? Is there noticable seaworthiness between the two? I am looking at making one of these in the off season. The Honker is great, but it is way too much boat for 1 guy, or a small marsh.
 
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Phil,

The main difference between the BB2 and 3 is that the BB2 has a displacement hull while the hull of the BB3 was flattened aft of center to make it into a planeing hull. As far as seaworthiness, I would think that the BB2 has the nod though I have been out on Green Bay with my BB3 in 40mph winds and 3+ footers and never questioned the boats capability to handle it. The 68" width vs the 14.5ft. length makes this a very stable platform to gun out of - even loaded with 600 lbs of guys, dog, and decoys.

Pete
 
I made a BB2 JUST before he designed the BB3. I would have built a BB3 because the majority of my hunting is small lakes and marsh. I have pulled my BB2 into less than 4" of water and had no problems and I have been out in 4' short troff(?) wind driven whitecaps where the only concern was the water depth between the waves. The wife and I took it on vacation the summer I finished it on a large river in Michigan where the ciggarrette boats that were heading out to lake Michigan would slow down to look at us..causing wakes that were HUGE..we bobbed over them like a cork. I think if you want to do a lot of rowing, the BB2 would be the better choice also. It boils down to what kind of water you do MOST of your hunting in..they are both a great choice.
 
Phil

Would you mind switching to your real name as opposed to Chesapeake Boy? We'd appreciate it. You can change your name from Edit Profile -> User Profile. Thanks.

What kind of load do you expect to carry and how far? The BBII is slower when loaded, and drafts more, but it really handles rough conditions exceptionally well, even when loaded. It also turns on a dime and when driving it you feel like you have the utmost in control. The BBIII, as others mentioned, drafts a little less water and is a bit faster hp for hp.

When I made the choice aesthetics played into my decision a bit. To my eye the BBII's curves are more pleasing. But that is up to the individual and some want speed more than aesthetics.

Good luck in your choice. You'll love either one you choose.
 
My usage will be on the Mississippi River or marshes. I will cross some large bodies of water on the Mississippi to get to the skinny water. Speed is always desireable...low profile is as well. I anticipate that this will have a max of 4 doz decoys, myself, a dog.... and on rare occations, another hunter. The river will get 2-3' chop on windy days...not really rough water, but.... I would say 3 mile runs are the biggest that I would have...

I just wanted to make sure that I can get to 4" water when pushing into the vegetation....
 
Phil,

I hunt both pools 8 and 9 with my BB3. Personal opinion is that it is better suited to the area you hunt than the BB2 for two reasons.

1) You can get it up on plane easily - can't with a BB2.

2) The whole draft issue. That extra 3" or whatever it turns out to be can be very important in the pools as I am sure you already know.

I don't think the extra seaworthiness of the BB2 over the BB3 is a factor on pool 9. From my three years of experience with this boat I think that the extra seaworthiness would come into play when the waves are over about 3-4 feet. If it gets too snotty I back off the throttle a little bit and bring the nose up and everything is hunky dory again. I love the stability and the handling of the BB3 and I know I would have been disappointed if I had built a BB2 instead. By the way, I have ridden in a BB2 on pool 9 so I do have some basis for this discussion.

If you ever want to ride in or drive my BB3, let me know.

I'll be on the river this weekend but not sure yet which pool I'll be hunting on.

Pete
 
Phil

If you wound up with a 20 on a BBII I think you'd feel underpowered. 25 - 30 is really needed. Given that possibility and the desire for speed perhaps the BBIII is optimal. Overall your situation matches well with both but the BBIII might edge out the BBII.
 
Thanks for the info... I was really leaning toward the III. I believe it is confirmed now... I have a friend that may be willing to sell his never used BBII, so if the price is right.... that may win out.

Eric, I always believe in putting as much motor as you can afford and the boat will handle... We will see what the used market has when I get this done. If the weather is going to be bad, I can always pull out the stretch Honker....
 
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A BBII is great for you and the dog but if you ever want to take a buddy the BBIII would be better choice. You can also add to the design when you build and put 16 to 18 inch pods on the back witch will float the boat much better and make it pop on plane faster. my choice of motor on the lowprofile boats is a mercury 25 short shaft two stroke, and yes I am one of those guys that thinks a four storke is only good as a anchor :)


post pictures as you build for us to watch your progress and dream of are next build :)
 
Well, seeing you aren't on the Chesapeke Bay..I agree with Pete that the BB3 would be your best choice. When you get serious about building it, start looking for a 30 or 40 horse 2 cylinder 2 stroke shortshaft. I run a 25 Mariner on my BB2 and it get's 29mph but with two guys and a load it doesn't plane..I rebuilt a 35hp Johnson and haven't put the powerhead back in the body yet..lazy,lazy,lazy... but I'm looking forward to putting the motor on my BB2.
 
Phil,

I know this is not an easy decision and put a lot of thought into it before deciding on a BBII. Bottom line is, I do not think you will be disappointed in either boat.

As far as draft, as stated above, there is a 3" published difference. Of course, the real low point of the boat under power is the scag, so to even really notice the difference you would have to be hunting where you would put the engine up and row or drag the boat. I have a Broadbill, too, and have done the drag thing- it's hard work, especially when slogging through soft mud. Have not seen too many hunters go past the point of the prop drawing mud. You would need to consider hunting conditions where you hunt and how hard you are willing to work to get into places to see if draft is even a factor.

I'm running a newer Yamaha 2-stroke 25 on my BBII and have never had a problem getting on plane. It does 27-28mph with just me, and 23.5 to 24.5 with me, my son, and 6 dozen+ weighted keel decoys plus all the anchors and hunting gear to go with it. Once transported 2 other guys with me, and hit the same speed with no problems getting on plane (none of us are what would be considered "big boys"). Neither boat is going to win any speed races, especially agains 16-18 foot jon boats/War Eagles with 40 to 90hp engines. And I do run the BBII over 6 miles one way to one of our hunting spots, no problem.

The real reason I chose the II over III was the published difference in seaworthyness. I have never been in conditions where I felt unsafe the 10' 8" Broadbill, and would hope to never be in a sitution where the difference between a 14 foot BBII or III would make a difference, but since I hunt with my son out of it, went with the added seaworthyness.

Of couse, the real duck hunters know the BBII is a MUCH better looking boat : )

Probably not helping with your decision, but I truley believe you'll be pleased with either boat.

-Bill
 
Alright...since you are the second person to comment on the look of the boat... can someone please post same views of the two... I can't see the difference from Devlin site...


Not worried about speed... Anything over 20mph is fine... As far as draggin goes... if you don't drag the boat on the Mississippi or have a mud motor... you will be sitting 50-100 yards from the nearest cover by mid November... that is the point.. the motor gets you there, but then you push... If I wasn't going to do that... I might as well just sit 100 yard from shore in the honker and watch the birds go by.
 
Phil,

Here are some BBII pics. I tried to show some shots, that when coupled with some BBIII pics, will allow you to see the difference in the hull profile. Most important is the rocker shaped chine (BBIII is almost straight from mid ship to aft), and the "hump" in the middle.

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The "looks" comment are usually in reference to the nose of the boat. BBII is a lot smaller, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and, truth be know, when I started the project I thought it was an ugly boat, especially compared to the Broadbill. It took about 150 hours of work on the boat for me to gain an appreciation for the lines.

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One issue not raised is that some folks have report (to inlcude me) that they have had porpoise issues with the BBII (not sure about the III). Some simple wedges on the tail of the boat are an easy solution (I used the scarfing scrap from the hull) and have a solid ride now, even at WOT. Did you build your honker or buy it prebuilt? Even if your first build, installing wedges is no big deal.

Will do anther post on hunting


-Bill
 
Phil,

Here are some hunting pics. My BBII has a meranti hull, and is usually loaded with 5-6 dozend dekes, battery, oars, a paddle.... have space, will fill. Have not tried dragging it through muck yet, but suspect it would be a real chore. It is easy to pull when floating, even with my son in the boat.
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Not sure what your hunting conditions are, but for one man it is hard to beat the Broadbill. It takes some heavy weather and can be drug though the shallow water. Here are a couple of pics of it.

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I guarantee my wife did not let this situation last long : )

This is a fastgrass cover on the Broadbill- pretty effective in dead grass.
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This pic is from a recon that turned out to be a REAL good workout.
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Hopefully one of the many BBIII builders out there will throw in some of their pics- If your main consideration is dragging the boat through shallow water and mud, then perhaps the BBIII is the clear choice of the two. When I built my BBII, I was trying to complement the "mission profile" of the Broadbill. Fast vs slow, shallow vs deep draft, greater difference in seaworthness.... Since you have a Honker, if you buy into this arguement, then it may make more sense to build a Broadbill/Bluebill/BBIII. Just my .02

Good luck with you decision, and have a great season!

-Bill
 

This is the 3rd x I am trying to post.... I did build my Honker this summer.. I added a whale back...like a TDB or a Banks... The length is 19'3", with a beam of 91", and I added 2 3/4" to the freeboard. I have had 5 guys, and a layout in 7 foot seas on Lake Michigan. Other than a little spray, we stayed dry. The 60 Yamaha pushed it with no problem.

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