The "best" grass boat for two hunters and a dog? TDB vs DuckBoss?

David K

Member
I have been hunting my 1982 Aeromarine "two man" which never really was a two man in my opinion. It gets up and goes with a 20hp Suzuki on it, but there is just and I mean JUST enough room for my 70-pound lab plus my lanky 6'3" frame. I am brainstorming some ideas for the Aeromarine, but have been looking at the TDB 14 as well as the DuckBoss 13. Both seem to hunt well and safe while also holding their value. I would ultimately like something where I can bring another hunter and be "comfortable." Please sound off with your opinions.
 
I hunt a Bauer with two guys great… getting a dog next month so next season I’ll hunt the dog with just me in the boat and two guys I’ll put her in a blind on the stern, hope this helps.
 
I've hunted out of a TDB 14 and I think that would be a minimum for two and a dog. (preferably the SeaClass being bigger)
I had high hopes of hunting 2 comfy out of a 14' Broadbill and there just isn't the storage space
 
I have a Duck Invader 13, which I believe became the Duck Boss 13. I definitely hunt 2 man out of it, with just enough room. I'm thinking the 70lb dog might be too much.
My preference is to hunt solo, which leaves me plenty of room for me and my Mr. Heater, which is becoming a good friend as I'm not getting any younger.
I've hunted with @Nick Zito what do you think Nick?
 
I have been hunting my 1982 Aeromarine "two man" which never really was a two man in my opinion. It gets up and goes with a 20hp Suzuki on it, but there is just and I mean JUST enough room for my 70-pound lab plus my lanky 6'3" frame. I am brainstorming some ideas for the Aeromarine, but have been looking at the TDB 14 as well as the DuckBoss 13. Both seem to hunt well and safe while also holding their value. I would ultimately like something where I can bring another hunter and be "comfortable." Please sound off with your opinions.
I have been hunting my 1982 Aeromarine "two man" which never really was a two man in my opinion. It gets up and goes with a 20hp Suzuki on it, but there is just and I mean JUST enough room for my 70-pound lab plus my lanky 6'3" frame. I am brainstorming some ideas for the Aeromarine, but have been looking at the TDB 14 as well as the DuckBoss 13. Both seem to hunt well and safe while also holding their value. I would ultimately like something where I can bring another hunter and be "comfortable." Please sound off with your opinions.
Schellinger 14.......... but better chance of shooting a double banded king eider 😉
 
I have an original DB 13 (the pre-cursor to the Duck Invader, which has a wider bow, which has since been re-named back to Duck Boss. Not confusing at all!). I run a 15hp 2-stroke on it. To your question I look at it two ways:

1. Handling: just myself and my lab (65 lbs) it has plenty of get up and go. When I add another person it’s sluggish and just barely gets onto a plane. If I mostly hunted with 2 I would probably go for a 20/25 HP 2-stroke.

2. Comfort: If the second person is on the smaller side, it’s not too bad. If the person is 180+, the boat is pretty cramped, especially with the dog. I’m 6’5” so I’m not helping the situation.

Now, I mostly hunt the boat by myself. For that it’s perfect. I like being able to hunt a second when needed and with my blind setup it works and hides well. If I mostly hunted two rather than by myself, I’d likely be looking at a TDB, especially if you’re lucky enough to track down a sea class.
 
I hunt a Bauer with two guys great… getting a dog next month so next season I’ll hunt the dog with just me in the boat and two guys I’ll put her in a blind on the stern, hope this helps.
The Bauer boats are one of my favorite designs, but I have not seen too many for sale. Where are you getting the dog from?
 
I have a Duck Invader 13, which I believe became the Duck Boss 13. I definitely hunt 2 man out of it, with just enough room. I'm thinking the 70lb dog might be too much.
My preference is to hunt solo, which leaves me plenty of room for me and my Mr. Heater, which is becoming a good friend as I'm not getting any younger.
I've hunted with @Nick Zito what do you think Nick?
That's the other problem in the Aeromarine. There is room for the dog and myself, but not Mr Heater!
 
I have an original DB 13 (the pre-cursor to the Duck Invader, which has a wider bow, which has since been re-named back to Duck Boss. Not confusing at all!). I run a 15hp 2-stroke on it. To your question I look at it two ways:

1. Handling: just myself and my lab (65 lbs) it has plenty of get up and go. When I add another person it’s sluggish and just barely gets onto a plane. If I mostly hunted with 2 I would probably go for a 20/25 HP 2-stroke.

2. Comfort: If the second person is on the smaller side, it’s not too bad. If the person is 180+, the boat is pretty cramped, especially with the dog. I’m 6’5” so I’m not helping the situation.

Now, I mostly hunt the boat by myself. For that it’s perfect. I like being able to hunt a second when needed and with my blind setup it works and hides well. If I mostly hunted two rather than by myself, I’d likely be looking at a TDB, especially if you’re lucky enough to track down a sea class.
Good points. I like how low and wide the Duck Invader / Duck boss cockpit is
 
The Bauer boats are one of my favorite designs, but I have not seen too many for sale. Where are you getting the dog from?
Yes they are not too common the South Bay is more readily available. My dad has a tdb 14 classic we hunted two guys and a dog no problem sometimes three guys and a dog that’s when it got tight. I’m getting the puppy from Bob Owens at Lone duck outfitters in Syracuse.
 
Duck Invader 13 is going to give you the best option as far as availability, comfort/room, and hide. They grass up well and hunt great with flapper boards. Most of my friends have them after failing to locate Roy boats.
 
Duck Invader 13 is going to give you the best option as far as availability, comfort/room, and hide. They grass up well and hunt great with flapper boards. Most of my friends have them after failing to locate Roy boats.
Kind of what I figured. Availability is tough on the Roy boats. Does anyone have the mold? How do they push off the mud?
 
I hunt a Duck Invader 13. I think in this day and age, it's the only 2 person boat that's low profile and hides that you'll be able to find. Here is a quick summary:

Duck Invader 13: True 2 person boat. I have hunted one with 2 people and a very big lab. It was tight, but it works. It's a more modified hull than a deep-vee. It's a much lower profile boat than the Roy 12 high box. A 25hp will push it along just fine. It's plenty fast. Very low draw for water. Handles rougher seas decently. The main difference between the Roy and the DI is the profile. The DI13 you sit very low. We use turkey chairs and you are basically sitting with your legs stretched out, knees slightly bent. The *OLD* Duck Boss 13 is a very different rig. Rich when he started Duck Invader walked away from the old hull with the narrow bow. Hunting someone out of the bow was really tight. The Duck Invader 13 has a uniform cockpit opening the whole length. It's gone through another owner change and is now rebranded as the *NEW* Duck Boss 13. With 2 guys and a 25hp you can probably get it off the mud as long as the water isn't too far.

*OLD* Duck Boss 13 = A very different boat, narrow bow. Kind of tight.
Duck Invader 13 and *NEW* Duck Boss 13 = Basically the same boat.

Roy 12 High: Also a true 2 person boat. For being 12', they make incredible use of space. I've seen people hunt them with 2 guys and a dog. They are more of a deeper-vee than the DI13. Less on the modified side. I know guys will carry a small section of railroad tie to put under the hull when it's on the mud or sand because it tends to teeter with the more deep-vee design. Higher profile than the DI13 but still hide very well. Guys seem to sit on a cut off milk crate or a higher blind chair. They are very, very light and folks have sometimes gotten themselves into trouble with open water crossings. They scream across the water with a 25hp. Supposedly they can be hauled off the mud decently well too. Very hard to find and people usually want quite a bit for them. It's a legendary boat at this point. When one goes for sale, it's usually sold in an hour or two. A lot are already spoken for before they even are listed for sale. There are rumors that Roy's son is going to build them again, but no one has heard or seen much in that regard. I know Roy still takes tons of prides in his rigs and has almost like an unspoken lifetime warranty on his rigs.

There is also the Roy 14 which is one of the rarest duck boats in existence. If you stumble upon one of them, that's worth buying in the blink of an eye. They will probably want quite a bit of money for it. They are a big heavier and most guys will run a 40-50hp on them.

Both are great boats. Neither are perfect. If you took the profile of the Roy 12 High, combined it with the hull and layout of the DI13, you'd have the perfect boat.

My only gripe with the DI13 is as mentioned, it's almost a bit too low. Rich could have popped with gunnels up a bit, made the flaps longer and more vertical, and it would have been perfect.
 
I hunt a Duck Invader 13. I think in this day and age, it's the only 2 person boat that's low profile and hides that you'll be able to find. Here is a quick summary:

Duck Invader 13: True 2 person boat. I have hunted one with 2 people and a very big lab. It was tight, but it works. It's a more modified hull than a deep-vee. It's a much lower profile boat than the Roy 12 high box. A 25hp will push it along just fine. It's plenty fast. Very low draw for water. Handles rougher seas decently. The main difference between the Roy and the DI is the profile. The DI13 you sit very low. We use turkey chairs and you are basically sitting with your legs stretched out, knees slightly bent. The *OLD* Duck Boss 13 is a very different rig. Rich when he started Duck Invader walked away from the old hull with the narrow bow. Hunting someone out of the bow was really tight. The Duck Invader 13 has a uniform cockpit opening the whole length. It's gone through another owner change and is now rebranded as the *NEW* Duck Boss 13. With 2 guys and a 25hp you can probably get it off the mud as long as the water isn't too far.

*OLD* Duck Boss 13 = A very different boat, narrow bow. Kind of tight.
Duck Invader 13 and *NEW* Duck Boss 13 = Basically the same boat.

Roy 12 High: Also a true 2 person boat. For being 12', they make incredible use of space. I've seen people hunt them with 2 guys and a dog. They are more of a deeper-vee than the DI13. Less on the modified side. I know guys will carry a small section of railroad tie to put under the hull when it's on the mud or sand because it tends to teeter with the more deep-vee design. Higher profile than the DI13 but still hide very well. Guys seem to sit on a cut off milk crate or a higher blind chair. They are very, very light and folks have sometimes gotten themselves into trouble with open water crossings. They scream across the water with a 25hp. Supposedly they can be hauled off the mud decently well too. Very hard to find and people usually want quite a bit for them. It's a legendary boat at this point. When one goes for sale, it's usually sold in an hour or two. A lot are already spoken for before they even are listed for sale. There are rumors that Roy's son is going to build them again, but no one has heard or seen much in that regard. I know Roy still takes tons of prides in his rigs and has almost like an unspoken lifetime warranty on his rigs.

There is also the Roy 14 which is one of the rarest duck boats in existence. If you stumble upon one of them, that's worth buying in the blink of an eye. They will probably want quite a bit of money for it. They are a big heavier and most guys will run a 40-50hp on them.

Both are great boats. Neither are perfect. If you took the profile of the Roy 12 High, combined it with the hull and layout of the DI13, you'd have the perfect boat.

My only gripe with the DI13 is as mentioned, it's almost a bit too low. Rich could have popped with gunnels up a bit, made the flaps longer and more vertical, and it would have been perfect.
Great reply. Sounds like your sentiment is DB13 stands above the TDB 14
 
Great reply. Sounds like your sentiment is DB13 stands above the TDB 14

I've just noticed the TDB14 are a bit more high profile than the others. Really, any would work well. They all have their quirks. I know the TDB14's handle rough water pretty well. Probably even better than the DI13 and the Roy 12. Also, the motorboards have been known to be an issue on the TDB14's.

They are all great options, really. I think if you are hunting very low cover salt marshes, the DI13 and Roy 12 would be your better options.
 
I hunt a Duck Invader 13. I think in this day and age, it's the only 2 person boat that's low profile and hides that you'll be able to find. Here is a quick summary:

Duck Invader 13: True 2 person boat. I have hunted one with 2 people and a very big lab. It was tight, but it works. It's a more modified hull than a deep-vee. It's a much lower profile boat than the Roy 12 high box. A 25hp will push it along just fine. It's plenty fast. Very low draw for water. Handles rougher seas decently. The main difference between the Roy and the DI is the profile. The DI13 you sit very low. We use turkey chairs and you are basically sitting with your legs stretched out, knees slightly bent. The *OLD* Duck Boss 13 is a very different rig. Rich when he started Duck Invader walked away from the old hull with the narrow bow. Hunting someone out of the bow was really tight. The Duck Invader 13 has a uniform cockpit opening the whole length. It's gone through another owner change and is now rebranded as the *NEW* Duck Boss 13. With 2 guys and a 25hp you can probably get it off the mud as long as the water isn't too far.

*OLD* Duck Boss 13 = A very different boat, narrow bow. Kind of tight.
Duck Invader 13 and *NEW* Duck Boss 13 = Basically the same boat.

Roy 12 High: Also a true 2 person boat. For being 12', they make incredible use of space. I've seen people hunt them with 2 guys and a dog. They are more of a deeper-vee than the DI13. Less on the modified side. I know guys will carry a small section of railroad tie to put under the hull when it's on the mud or sand because it tends to teeter with the more deep-vee design. Higher profile than the DI13 but still hide very well. Guys seem to sit on a cut off milk crate or a higher blind chair. They are very, very light and folks have sometimes gotten themselves into trouble with open water crossings. They scream across the water with a 25hp. Supposedly they can be hauled off the mud decently well too. Very hard to find and people usually want quite a bit for them. It's a legendary boat at this point. When one goes for sale, it's usually sold in an hour or two. A lot are already spoken for before they even are listed for sale. There are rumors that Roy's son is going to build them again, but no one has heard or seen much in that regard. I know Roy still takes tons of prides in his rigs and has almost like an unspoken lifetime warranty on his rigs.

There is also the Roy 14 which is one of the rarest duck boats in existence. If you stumble upon one of them, that's worth buying in the blink of an eye. They will probably want quite a bit of money for it. They are a big heavier and most guys will run a 40-50hp on them.

Both are great boats. Neither are perfect. If you took the profile of the Roy 12 High, combined it with the hull and layout of the DI13, you'd have the perfect boat.

My only gripe with the DI13 is as mentioned, it's almost a bit too low. Rich could have popped with gunnels up a bit, made the flaps longer and more vertical, and it would have been perfect.
Great summary and explanation Jay! I love my DI, and would not let it go. I'm hoping to pass it on to my grandsons.
I like the fact that it sits low, really low. I think it hides second to none in the marsh. The ducks and geese landing in my decoys never know what hit them! Some do get to see who missed them, but that's a different story. My boat, which I also bought from Rich has a full blind, with folding top. I don't think that's an option anymore.
Like Jay said the cockpit is big for a 13' boat 36" x 84" on the top opening, with the length and with at the deck level larger. I sit about milk crate high, and my legs often extend in front of me under the gunnel. ( I hope I'm expressing my ideas in correct terms, please correct me)
For power I have a 20 hp Suzuki 4 stroke, with a hydraulic jack plate ( game changer).
Solo with light gear, I'm skipping along at 24mph. Loaded with a second hunter, closer to 15, is my guess, but still acceptable for me.
After more thought, I would say the Duck Boss 13 might work for you.
 
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