If you had to come up with a list of categories to describe the various duckboats out there what would it be? For starters
Jon
Sneakboat
Marsh
Scull
Layout
What else should go in the list?
Good morning, Eric et al~
I spied this intriguing post a few days ago - but am currently immersed in a major house project - re-building the south wall of our home - which turns 200 next year. I'm waiting on my spray foamer for insulation - and am in the 12-hour-day every-day mode continually....
Nevertheless - as those familiar with my many character quirks know all too well - I am a "word guy" and a stickler for terminology in all things relating to boats and associated pastimes. So, I applaud your effort to organize a subject that is rife with long and local traditions - with no overarching governing body. Linnaeus had it easy in comparison.
A fundamental decision is whether you want to organize by construction-type or by primary intended use. Although I am a devotee of traditional vessels and lean toward an emphasis on how boats were/are designed and built, it may be more useful to categorize by "habitat" type. For example, boats to be used in smaller protected waters would include canoes, pirogues, the double-ended duck skiffs from the midwest, and modern molded vessels, et cetera. Even within such a confined definition, though, you may want to distinguish between powered and non-powered craft. Of course, a small jonboat may rely only on a pair of oars - but larger jonboats may be pushed along by plenty of horsepower bolted to their transoms.
I would also distinguish between traditional craft - planked hulls - and modern - post-WW II - primarily plywood and molded fiberglass.
On Long Island - even just within Great South Bay - traditional "grassboats" would be distinguished by hull construction type. Virtually all were 1-man vessels, decked over but with a man-length cockpit, and were hunted with the gunner lying on his back to hide. Salt Hay was secured to the decks with thatch rails. Propulsion was primarily by oars - but could include sails or poles (i.e., "shovin' oars).
As Jode will attest, there is "all the difference in the world" between a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox and a Great South Bay Scooter - the former having arc-shaped hull sections, the latter U-shaped. Either could be hunted in marshes or in the open bay. And I never saw a "sneakboat" except in
Hunters Encyclopedia and the like.
Similarly, whilst growing up, I never heard the term "layout boat". Anyone hunting - mostly Broadbill - in the open bay was was shooting from a "Scooter" - regardless of hull construction. I learned - from the TV show
American Sportsmen - that Great Lakes gunners enjoyed the same sort of open water diver hunting - but I do not recall what term was given to their vessels.
So...I guess my recommendation would be to base your categories first on "habitat-type" - to reflect the primary intended use. Within any such habitat I would sort them by traditional or modern, manual propulsion or motorized, then by solo or party.
In any event, your Introduction will need to recognize/apologize for the reality of local names - and invite information and clarifications from wherever ducks and geese are pursued. One of the great joys of duckboats arises from the fact that most are designed with particular local conditions in mind.
BTW: I'll never know whether our old house is a 5-over-4 Federalist - or just a "farmhouse eclectic"....
I will watch your progress with interest - and try to help if I can.
All the best,
SJS
