You can't beat a Bankes boat,now being built by Crusader.
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"We're gonna need a bigger boat"
- Thread starter Nick Zito
- Start date
Bankes is now being built by Barry Oneill Nova Scotia, Canada under Rock Solid Fabricators http://rocksolidfab.ca/ All boats are distributed from the NS factory and hit Freeway Sports in Michigan & Dock Sea Point Marina here in the U.S. The majority of inventory is located at Freeway Sports however Matt owner of Dock Sea here on Long Island, New York has the 14, 2-17's and a dozen layouts he is the sole distributor in the Northeast US.
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Love the 17 Classic! You can absolutely hunt 4 people with the right power setup and adjustments to the factory blind. I run 3 guys in mine with a 40hp and top out at 27mph. I will be adding a console and a 90hp this summer to that boat. It's the summer project! Can't say enough good things about the 17 classic, it was the industry standard and set the stage for many similar boats to follow after it was introduced
William Mills
Member
I’ll throw another recommendation for the TDB17.
Your DW 15 is that a Duck wrangler 15 or a Duck water 15? If it’s a wrangler I may have a buyer for it depending on location
Your DW 15 is that a Duck wrangler 15 or a Duck water 15? If it’s a wrangler I may have a buyer for it depending on location
Nick Zito
Active member
Anthony are those photos to scale? Looks like the sea class is smaller than the classic there. How does the TDB ride in wake? My Duck wrangler 15, which I thought was a similar hull design (modified flat bottomish) bangs pretty hard on wake. It doesn't stop me but it's enough to keep me out of anything too big.
Nick Zito
Active member
@William Mills yes it's the duck wrangler 15. The Steve Hoover fiberglass precursor to the duck water aluminum tank.
I believe the hull is an '02, with a '99 Suzuki DF40. I've added blind grass to the new blind (fabric remake copied off the original) I had made in 2021. Added a hydraulic jack plate last year. Has a console that I built. Small and mostly out of the way. Located in New Haven, CT
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Nick the SeaClass is based off the same exact hull with a different topside design. SeaClass has the open transom thus reducing cockpit size just a bit.. TDB rides phenomenal. I have been in many, many many duck boats lol and I never really had a reason to purchase a 17 TDB but after riding in some relatives, friends etc.. I had to have it. One of the best riding boats out there still today. It breaks chop with ease doesn't slam or pound like others (that I won't name) lol and the layout is just really nice. I made the choice to invest in the 17' Classic hull and will be sending her up to MA for refurbishment, a console, new power etc.. all because of this. Bill & Dean made one hell of a boat. Video below is pretty neat
If you ever want to check one out, ride in one, whatever let me know I see you're in CT not a far ride. We'll take her out to the ocean etc.. I have full confidence in the boat love it
1990 TDB 17 Promotional Hunt Eiders
Nick Zito
Active member
Agreed you are just across the pond. Would love to take you up on that offer. Will keep in touch as the weather warms it.. Seems I already have your cell in my contacts.
Took the girls (including wife) out for closing day. I've been making noise about needing to upgrade from the DW15 to something more spacious now that Rose is 12 (legal age) and Charlotte is 11. After a long, slow morning, I heard the famous words come out of Andrea's mouth "Nick, now that we're going to have four hunters, we're gonna need a bigger boat."
Open to suggestions. I'd like a boat blind, was eyeing something in the 19' range. Small enough to get in the marsh but big enough to shoot sea ducks. Or maybe we just need a second boat
There are people that build their own boats. You might want to consider that option.
Nick Zito
Active member
Time is money. I have neither of those lately seems
Anytime, let me know the fleet usually heads south come April for storage in Maryland. Check this video out:
Jay K
Active member
Nick, you're blessed to have that hunting crew. One thing I'll say, there's a fine line between big enough, and too big. I know with puddle ducks, here in NJ, 17' is pushing it for the skinny water.
One really nasty problem you may have is also getting in and out of areas to get into spots. For example, one spot I hunt you can't draw more than a foot at some tides to get into the tidal ponds. Otherwise, you're likely transiting the bay and/or actually hunting bay front. Now, with a bigger boat, open water transits are not as dangerous. So that is a good thing. You may not be able to pursue what you want being limited to bayfront, though.
Also, I run a DI13 and with a buddy and I can get it off the mud/sand to the water...if the water is not too far away. As you know, it can also be done with a 15' if you have enough people and once again, the water isn't too far. 17' it starts to get real iffy. 19' yeah that's not happening. I know of someone who hunts a 17' for puddle ducks and he just commits himself to sitting on the dry till the water comes back and has a good dog to retrieve birds. Which, also, is another consideration. Seems like in that spot you're hunting, you can walk out. However, if it gets to deep and/or the mud is enough to swallow you alive...you could lose the bird.
Either way, that's a great problem to have. Me, personally, I would find the smallest possible rig to safely and comfortable hold the crew. I think a 17' is the max I'd consider. I might be in the same boat as you (no pun intended). I have 2 little ones and if they take to it, I might find myself in a 15' in the future.
One really nasty problem you may have is also getting in and out of areas to get into spots. For example, one spot I hunt you can't draw more than a foot at some tides to get into the tidal ponds. Otherwise, you're likely transiting the bay and/or actually hunting bay front. Now, with a bigger boat, open water transits are not as dangerous. So that is a good thing. You may not be able to pursue what you want being limited to bayfront, though.
Also, I run a DI13 and with a buddy and I can get it off the mud/sand to the water...if the water is not too far away. As you know, it can also be done with a 15' if you have enough people and once again, the water isn't too far. 17' it starts to get real iffy. 19' yeah that's not happening. I know of someone who hunts a 17' for puddle ducks and he just commits himself to sitting on the dry till the water comes back and has a good dog to retrieve birds. Which, also, is another consideration. Seems like in that spot you're hunting, you can walk out. However, if it gets to deep and/or the mud is enough to swallow you alive...you could lose the bird.
Either way, that's a great problem to have. Me, personally, I would find the smallest possible rig to safely and comfortable hold the crew. I think a 17' is the max I'd consider. I might be in the same boat as you (no pun intended). I have 2 little ones and if they take to it, I might find myself in a 15' in the future.