Double/Single Man Duck Sculls

[MikeE]

Gentleman: My first go at the site and hope for some assistance as I slowly move through the forum.
First Thank You Aeromarine for reaching out.
I have a Humboldt Bay Scull Boat 2 man for sale. I hope I'm on the right Forum. A little background as I'm 77 yrs young hand have been sculling for well over 60 years in the State of Oregon and Northern CA where these boats originated in Humboldt Bay CA back in the early 1920's.
I was fortunate two have a couple of these original Nellist sculls One was Sold; I have one left. At my age these sculls are a little harder to handle and have decide on selling them and look for a single scull that I'm able to handle.
This unparticular boat was found by me in a Barn in Arcata CA at the age of 15. I have taken care of her and sculled and killed many Ducks, Geese, and Brant out of this Boat. It was a hard sad day finally deciding to sell these sculls but easy when I thought of a younger hunter using and have the thrills, I have received all these years as I'd much rather see some get the use than sit in a shop note being used.
These boats are deadly on the open water. They are low, safe and fast once an individual has learned the art of the scull. I have many more pictures if interested if you would like to see or chat about the Sculls and the fine are of sculling on Ducks and Geese. one picture shows how low these boats are and why they are so deadly on the open water. That picture was taken when I got out of the military in 1971.
Thank you all and great to see these sites availability to chat about Hunting and fishing.

 

[William Reinicke]

First... WELCOME!!! Keep the stories coming on this rig and post more pics.

Second.... Whats the price?

Third.... you have found the right forum sir. Hope you stick around, even after you sell this gorgeous piece.

 

[Eric Patterson]

Mike

Welcome again and thanks for coming onboard. Found in a barn 62 years ago and took good care of it the entire time. That's amazing and a testament to your dedication to the sport. Somehow I hope you find a new owner that will take care of her like you have. I think you are making the right decision to sell. By that I mean you have control of the terms and who it goes to. I collect and restore old working machinery and have seen many shops liquidated by families who knew not what their husband/father had. It would have been much better had they sold them giving them the satisfaction of seeing their beloved items go into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate them instead of somebody who saw the opportunity for a cheap score.

Best of luck and please stick around. We'd love to hear more about your hunting experiences and get your input on topics.

 

[MikeE]

Mr. Reinicke Thank You sir for you reply back.
I did not add a price that I will sell my double scull as I understood that this was not a craigs list and I did not want to have any waves posting boats for sale.
But! being you asked I assume it is ok to give the Price on this double scull and I will add more pictures. I'm asking $4000.00.
This boat is one of 5 that were built, I had two sold one and finally decided it's better in the hands of someone that will continue to get the enjoyment I have had all these many decades.
These sculls are so different than those built on the east coast. I have often wondered about the differences of the sculls as these boats are used in the same manner, but the east coast boats are much larger. My thought was they are sculling big water. we have some pretty big water hear also and you pick your scull days as these boats are extremely low on the water but very safe if it does come up and quarter the swells and you'll be fine.
These sculls are definitely one of a kind and modified after the market days and fiberglass became available.
They are definitely for the dedicated Duck/Goose hunter. There is a lot to learn as it's not just hope in these boats give the oak a couple whips and you're on the birds. Ducks and Geese will teach you a lot if you're paying attention. Bright days, Dark days, Wind, Back drops, water levels on tidal water, the type of birds you're sculling on, are just a few that a dedicated sculler should know to be successful. Sure, there are days that it doesn't matter what the hell you're doing as everything just falls in place but! those days are few and far between.
after 60+ yrs on the water I still learn something every time I go out and now if I don't come home with a limit of what I went after I still can't figure it out so there are also those damn days you wonder what went wrong all and all these boats kill the hell out of ducks and geese and for me it is so sad to see the art of sculling going to the way side of things.
The young generation is closing the doors on the things we cherished growing up. waiting for the weekend to get here because the tides are perfect, and my boat is sitting idle.
It was a new world when I got my first pickup truck a 53 Chevrolet 5 window cruiser LOL. school was out and so was I out in the bay or on the river chasing ducks and geese. Prior was the Sader days because it was up to my dad or granddad to haul me and my boat to the bays or river system so I could hunt. I'm sure many of you all hear remember those times but today I have offered a youngster to go for a boat ride and shoot a duck or two to see what they are missing. I guess those cell phones are a little too important.
But for all of us who see the world a little different there is nothing like killing a limit of big fat drake Mallards or 4 big Canadians, a few nice Sprig (pintails) or just going out for a boat ride to enjoy the day and look over all the Birds and possibly find that hybrid mallard/Spig cross.
Sometimes it's not about just killing Ducks and Geese there is just something special about just being part of it. It isn't just the Ducks and Geese It's those roosters behind a point of a shorthair, that Big Buck or Bull Elk all the things that take our breath away is what keeps us going.
I'm selling my 2-man scull but looking for a little single man Scull something easier to handle as even at the age of 77 I will not quit. This is and will be my life that I so fortunate at this age have enjoyed all my young and adult life.
It's a place like this that makes all those old dreams come back as a young man and now much older with absolute gratification.
Thank You all! MikeE

 

[MikeE]

Mike

Welcome again and thanks for coming onboard. Found in a barn 62 years ago and took good care of it the entire time. That's amazing and a testament to your dedication to the sport. Somehow I hope you find a new owner that will take care of her like you have. I think you are making the right decision to sell. By that I mean you have control of the terms and who it goes to. I collect and restore old working machinery and have seen many shops liquidated by families who knew not what their husband/father had. It would have been much better had they sold them giving them the satisfaction of seeing their beloved items go into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate them instead of somebody who saw the opportunity for a cheap score.

Best of luck and please stick around. We'd love to hear more about your hunting experiences and get your input on topics.

I thank you sir and it is a big reason why I have the price that I have on this Scull. I had 2 of these Nellist originals and sold one as I indicated built right around the same time, but it was still so hard to sell.
It went to a good home and this young man has watched me and we have chatted for years about these sculls. Now he has one and as you indicated its where the boats go and who purchases them. But I thank you for the kind words. MikeE

 

[William Reinicke]

Mr. Reinicke Thank You sir for you reply back.
I did not add a price that I will sell my double scull as I understood that this was not a craigs list and I did not want to have any waves posting boats for sale.
But! being you asked I assume it is ok to give the Price on this double scull and I will add more pictures. I'm asking $4000.00.
This boat is one of 5 that were built, I had two sold one and finally decided it's better in the hands of someone that will continue to get the enjoyment I have had all these many decades.
These sculls are so different than those built on the east coast. I have often wondered about the differences of the sculls as these boats are used in the same manner, but the east coast boats are much larger. My thought was they are sculling big water. we have some pretty big water hear also and you pick your scull days as these boats are extremely low on the water but very safe if it does come up and quarter the swells and you'll be fine.
These sculls are definitely one of a kind and modified after the market days and fiberglass became available.
They are definitely for the dedicated Duck/Goose hunter. There is a lot to learn as it's not just hope in these boats give the oak a couple whips and you're on the birds. Ducks and Geese will teach you a lot if you're paying attention. Bright days, Dark days, Wind, Back drops, water levels on tidal water, the type of birds you're sculling on, are just a few that a dedicated sculler should know to be successful. Sure, there are days that it doesn't matter what the hell you're doing as everything just falls in place but! those days are few and far between.
after 60+ yrs on the water I still learn something every time I go out and now if I don't come home with a limit of what I went after I still can't figure it out so there are also those damn days you wonder what went wrong all and all these boats kill the hell out of ducks and geese and for me it is so sad to see the art of sculling going to the way side of things.
The young generation is closing the doors on the things we cherished growing up. waiting for the weekend to get here because the tides are perfect, and my boat is sitting idle.
It was a new world when I got my first pickup truck a 53 Chevrolet 5 window cruiser LOL. school was out and so was I out in the bay or on the river chasing ducks and geese. Prior was the Sader days because it was up to my dad or granddad to haul me and my boat to the bays or river system so I could hunt. I'm sure many of you all hear remember those times but today I have offered a youngster to go for a boat ride and shoot a duck or two to see what they are missing. I guess those cell phones are a little too important.
But for all of us who see the world a little different there is nothing like killing a limit of big fat drake Mallards or 4 big Canadians, a few nice Sprig (pintails) or just going out for a boat ride to enjoy the day and look over all the Birds and possibly find that hybrid mallard/Spig cross.
Sometimes it's not about just killing Ducks and Geese there is just something special about just being part of it. It isn't just the Ducks and Geese It's those roosters behind a point of a shorthair, that Big Buck or Bull Elk all the things that take our breath away is what keeps us going.
I'm selling my 2-man scull but looking for a little single man Scull something easier to handle as even at the age of 77 I will not quit. This is and will be my life that I so fortunate at this age have enjoyed all my young and adult life.
It's a place like this that makes all those old dreams come back as a young man and now much older with absolute gratification.
Thank You all! MikeE

What does this weigh? I just am trying to wrap my head on where I would use such a cool boat.

I read all of this type up and I smiled, quite a few times actually. I am 45 years behind you in age. But I attribute a lot of my success to just talking with old timers who have done it so much longer than I have. Some of the places I hunt, no one else does, and the only reason I went and looked was because of conversation and listening to some wild scary sketchy stories that some of your generation did. You old guys are a fearless group. Many times I will be hesitant about something or very cautious. Then I hear stories of the boats they used and the equipment they used to get to some of the same places I get to today. Mind you, no cell service there, but cell phones werent even a thought when your generation was my age doing the crazy things we do. Again... FEARLESS!

I love a few things about this write up. Let me just say, you mention taking a kiddo but phones being an issue. One phone goes on our hunts when little ones are involved... mine. Rest are back in the truck. If they dont like it after they paid attention, then they just arent a waterfowler.

Loved when you talked about getting your own vehicle and hunting around class. My pops took me duck hunting one time in 4th grade and I knew right then, the only thing I wanted to do in life was be a duck hunter. He never took me again and it wasnt until I was 15, got my own car, and started getting back into it. I didnt go to class though, I ditched it to go scout. One of the funny things was I was always told I would never shoot geese where I live. It didnt take long and I was a goose killing fool and I loved rubbing it in. Everyone that told me geese were impossible to hunt, knew about it. Looking back, that was a major mistake and brought a lot of unwanted attention. I havent had social media for almost 7 years now for that very reason. I was trying to impress all the wrong crowd.

Love when you mentioned the lost art of sculling. I found this forum quite awhile ago. I knew NOTHING about the culture of these boats here. I LOVE LOVE LOVE waterfowl though. So many a days I would sit back and just read threads on people refurbishing these boats. Coming up with ideas but maintaining the authenticity of them. They are kind of like old muscle cars but boats for waterfowlers. Make them new but maintain the coolness factor they have always carried. I wouldnt even log in, I would just come to the site and read on these builds. There some serious talent and knowledge on this forum. It wasnt until I started making decoys that I really became active in posting.

Keep up the posting, stick around and enjoy being here. I love hearing old stories and gaining new knowledge on a culture of this sport that I have never experienced.

 

[MikeE]

MR> William
This is getting to be a habit lol.
These boats were made to be used and used on every chance one gets to learn the way of Sculling. It is definitely not for everyone and an any man's sport to say the least. You have to be ready to learn, and the first thing is learning the scull from the oar which in those old days when I found this Boat in that barn there was still a scull oar and rowing oars inside the boat. That original oar was made from a very thin piece of wood kind of like veneer then a coating like Formica and glued to the wood. I took this oar to a friend after using it for a couple seasons and had him make me an oar to match. He indicated that that was not going to be a easy as one thinks as that oar is so thin but still brittle enough with just a very little flex that it was going to be a tuff build but he would try.
What Gorgon had to do first from his explanation was to get the right flex was to use weights which would put a bend in the blade but when glassing it he wanted it to stick at that bend not more or less but the exact same bend. By doing this he figured that blade would have the close to the same flex as the original. It worked and worked well. and # 9 lb. weight would have more flex then a #12 lb. and so on with a 12 lb. being the stiffest if one wished to have a stiffer oar. with #9 -12lb. being the thickness he made. Today I build my own is the same fashion which I will picture at the end of this conversation.
I have sold my oars to a few older scullers that continue this art of sculling. Still, most of the old scullers are very few and in between and as mentioned the younger generation don't seem to have the time to take up the art and continue not knowing what they are missing.
As you can tell there is more than just learning to get the boat to go in a straight line with out that boat moving from side to side and rocking then you're lying on your back with one hand/arm over your chest and making your figure 8 and a way you go. First step! Then its learning about everything from the watercolor which in Big open water a light Grey has always worked the best and on high river water that is muddied up then a light brownish color works well also, something else to play with, sculling out from a dark back ground works very well as what we see is the mountain and trees bouncing off the water is what the birds also see and distorts there vision as you scull ever so close to them. Then it's learning your Birds, and every scull is different.
As mentioned, if I now decide I want a limit of Drake mallards that is what I come home with and the same goes if I want to mix it up and a Bull sprig 5 mallard and possibly a European widgeon. These are the nice things about these boats, once you get it and all that goes with it the better you become. It's the time you spend on the water. I really believe this is just an example why it has become a lost art today.
It is not like buying a dozen decoys and throwing them in a pothole and sitting behind a blind and shooting your birds.
Don't get me wrong I love decoy hunting also on those windy south wind days and the birds are deeking well. And if not sit back with a good cup of coffee and reminisce about the good times or tell stories to one another it and they all have their time on the water rather it be big open water or River or lake or just a pond or river system the birds are using.
I'm now getting ready to leave Saturday and meet with my Younger Brother on a Pacific Brant hunt where we will be using Brant decoys and not sculling. These bird s to me are one of their own the way they decoy is fabulous to say the least. The one thing I have missed after leaving Humboldt Bay on my move to Souther Oregon in the Sheet Metal trade many decades ago.
I have tried every year to travel to Humboldt Bay to shoot a few of these fantastic Birds. Well, I'm taking up your time and my wife wonders what I'm doing down here LOL saying don't burn anyone's poor ears out lol. Thank You so much for your return message and nice to see someone who is involved with duck Hunting in one fashion or the other. MikeE