Recent content by Troy Nicolls

Wow! I haven't checked in for a while. Thank you for all the posts, info and advise. I do like to build boats, but I only have use for so many. I'd love to build one from an old, proven design, but then modern construction practices get in the way (stitch and glue for one). I'm not sure what...

Great info. I'm stiull hoping to build one knowing full well it is not intended to be rowed or paddled. However.... I have a pond on my property;)

Regarding replacement of your leather. My friend Skip who is a life long sculler, has opted to fit a rubber drift boat oar stop in his oar hole as opposed to leather. Last's forever and reportedly makes less noise and offers a smoother ride. Just food for thought. I haven't done it yet myself.

Steve That helps very much. Looks like you have a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience wrapped up in your east coast historical hunting craft, but I think I already knew that! I only built a few small boats, kayaks, sculls etc, but generally speaking a very different kind of hunting...

All I can say is wow! All those picture of those historic boats and the work you guys do to them is fascinating. I don't see many boats like that here on the west coast, at least not here in Northern CA. I'd love to inherit a project like that.

Our season ended weeks ago here on the west coast. We hunt Blacktail almost exclusively... which are a pint sized variety of Mule deer. I got a nice buck on opening day, but my son got a nicer one with his muzzle loader late in the season. Video links to his blackpowder buck here: and mine here:

Anyone familiar with the Sanford Gunning Box? I know it was intended as a "gunning box", but has anyone who has built one used it on open water of any kind? I was thinking about building one for fun but am curious about it's versatility before I commit to buying materials. Looking for a cheap...

I really can't say for sure, but I cannot imagine it did not. Adding a vee to any hull is likely to improve it's tracking ability.

Just curious as it's been a while since I've done any foam carving. Is the workingdecoys.net forum still in existence? If not, are there archive links anywhere?

It could easily be done.

Ok, so here's a build review I did on my Alviso/ South Bay Sneak Boat. Hope this is helpful to anyone considering building one. There's some bonus footage at the end of me putting it to use "a few years back". I hunted with the Alviso a couple days ago, but haven't published a video on that hunt...

Today was my last day. Shoreline froze solid in the morning. Warm and sunny by noon. Sculled up a trio of GWT.

I'm currently editing a video review of my Alviso scull boat build. I'll try to add some information on the oar as well.