Aluminum Boat Designs

Lance Evans

Lance Evans

New member
Hi all,

In my quest for my perfect duck boat, I’ve decided I’m going to build my own. I really enjoy working on projects like this, and I’ll be able to tailor it to exactly what I want.

I’ve decided I’m going to build it from aluminum. I’ve got lots of experience welding aluminum and it’ll put up with a little more abuse that way.

The biggest question is hull design. The boat is intended to be used on Saginaw Bay, both hunting and then fishing the rest of the year, so I’d like it to be able to handle 2-4” short period waves. The bay also gets really shallow so I’m hoping to keep the draft as low as possible, ideally 8” or less. I’ve looked at some of the Devlin designs (Scaup 18, Snow Goose, etc) and they all draft quite a bit while maybe being a little light on freeboard for that kind of weather.

I’ve looked a little at Duckwater boats and they list drafts of 6” for the 17-18’ models, but also handle bigger water. I’d be happy to build a hull like those and then outfit the inside how I want, but I’m not sure about their design.

Does anyone have any insight into a place I could find hull designs that would fit my goals? Or maybe some design characteristics that will get me there?

I’m guessing I’ll have to design my hull from scratch on my own, but would at least like a starting place for the amount of deadrise, freeboard, and how to design structure inside the boat to support the skin.

Thanks,
Lance
 
Devlin says the SG drafts 7.5"... a little wider beam and I'd suspect a decent amount less. If you deck it, the freeboard should be OK, but agree it might not be enough I'd you're leaving it open up top.
 
Yes I’ve looked at that one as well, really all the Devlin designs. Some of them look like they might be alright but none of them look quite ideal for the water I’ll be facing.

And what’s the point of building your own unless it’s perfect to your own specs?
 
Lance~

I have no experience on Saginaw Bay - but grew up on Great South Bay - gunning, sailing, clamming. Serious shoeals long the South side - and near all the saltmarsh. I grew up with garveys. For me, the ideal vessel would be a "chicken-breasted" garvey - some deadrise up forward but dead flat across the transom. I want about 4 inches of draft (with the motor up).

I believe Chincoteague Garveys are no longer made - but there could well be some makers in New Jersey that offer a nice hull.

I also like a reasonably light hull - so I (or at least a younger version thereof) could horse the boat into a floatable depth if the tide fools me. So, 16-foot looks more attractive then 17 for that reason.

Here is one built by Brud Skidmore (East Islip) in the 1960s - 'glass over plywood.

B22 Joey in the tender.jpg

Were I to build one (not likely up here at age 72 and in dairy country...), it may have a bit more deadrise up forward and a more traditional sheer.

All the best,

SJS
 
Didn,t someone on here build their version of the snow goose with a bit more side height a few years back. Thiers was glassed but those dimensions might work for you. Can,t remember builder's name but there were several posts on progress thru the build.
 
roy brewington said:
Didn,t someone on here build their version of the snow goose with a bit more side height a few years back. Thiers was glassed but those dimensions might work for you. Can,t remember builder's name but there were several posts on progress thru the build.
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Pretty sure I remember when reading through old posts someone build an oversized one in aluminum.
 
Google devlin black brandt III in aluminum.

There have been a few devlin designs built by folks out of aluminum.

Check Google and it should pull up some threads on duckhuntingchat, The refuge and maybe one or two other online forums about people building devlin designs out of aluminum.
 
Check this place out. Not duck boats but plenty of ideas for aluminum boats.
I have a duckwater and they are nothing more than a deep entry transitioning to nearly flat at the transom.

Aluminum Boat Design | Boat Kits | Response Marine | United States

Response Marine offers a wide range of welded aluminum boat designs and plans, cutting kits, and design services including 3d modelling, plate development and cut files. Existing or custom kits developed for specific applications and builders- professional, commercial and recreational.
www.responseboatdesign.com www.responseboatdesign.com
 
Lance, why not just copy an Alaskan or similar and then build the upper half like the ocean/open water boats? Haven’t hunted the bay, but hunt Erie /lower river . Assuming you’re talking divers from a boat. Feel like the cedar blinds do well. If you built something with high ish sides that can in a bit with grass rails you could attach cedar you’d be stylin’.

I didn’t a scissor blind for my aluminum last year but found it’s too much of a burden when you drop a bluebill(broad bill for Steve!) and then have to drop the blind and loose an anchor to chase a cripple. Think I’m gonna do a low conduit frame with sheet aluminum that comes in a foot and up a foot. Sitting on low chairs

Tony
 
Clinton John said:
Google devlin black brandt III in aluminum.

There have been a few devlin designs built by folks out of aluminum.

Check Google and it should pull up some threads on duckhuntingchat, The refuge and maybe one or two other online forums about people building devlin designs out of aluminum.
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I’ve seen a couple pictures of them. I’m just not familiar with the performance of that type of craft. I’m used to hunting small rivers and lakes out of a 14’ flat bottom so trying to pick something that will keep me and the pup safe on the bigger water.
Tony hall said:
Lance, why not just copy an Alaskan or similar and then build the upper half like the ocean/open water boats? Haven’t hunted the bay, but hunt Erie /lower river . Assuming you’re talking divers from a boat. Feel like the cedar blinds do well. If you built something with high ish sides that can in a bit with grass rails you could attach cedar you’d be stylin’.

I didn’t a scissor blind for my aluminum last year but found it’s too much of a burden when you drop a bluebill(broad bill for Steve!) and then have to drop the blind and loose an anchor to chase a cripple. Think I’m gonna do a low conduit frame with sheet aluminum that comes in a foot and up a foot. Sitting on low chairs

Tony
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I’ll probably spend the majority of the time hunting puddle ducks in the shallows, but would like something that can handle some decent chop in case I decide I’d like to chase some divers or fish the open bay.

I’ve looked at Alaskans before. They look like great boats. My only thought there is they might be hard to hide in the marsh and likely draft a little more than I’d want for that scenario.
 
Name that i,m remembering from an old post/build was Phil Novac. His was fiberglass over wood I believe but modified from plans to better suit him.
 
Lance,
Many of the designs mentioned will work for your needs. I built a BB3 and feel it is one of the best hulls that Sam Devlin designed. I've had it in 4 footers in Lake Michigan, Green Bay and Lake Manitoba plus stacked wind/current driven waves on the Mississippi River. I never felt unsafe. That all being said, the performance of the best hull design is dependent on appropriate seamanship. Take care when venturing out on big water.
 
Pete McMiller said:
Lance,
Many of the designs mentioned will work for your needs. I built a BB3 and feel it is one of the best hulls that Sam Devlin designed. I've had it in 4 footers in Lake Michigan, Green Bay and Lake Manitoba plus stacked wind/current driven waves on the Mississippi River. I never felt unsafe. That all being said, the performance of the best hull design is dependent on appropriate seamanship. Take care when venturing out on big water.
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I was actually very close to buying an aluminum BB3 a few weeks ago. I was a day late pulling the trigger. It was a great price so it went fast. Looking back, it may be ok. I think I’d like something a little larger. Right now I’m leaning towards building a 18’ Scaup out of aluminum. I think I may give it a bit more deadrise in the front as well as a bit more freeboard. Not 100% sure on those changes though. To those familiar with the design, do those seem like valuable changes for my purposes or just a pain? It’s hard to know having never seen one in person.
 
Eric Patterson said:
More deadrise and freeboard on a Scaup? Why not build a Snowgoose or Honker?
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That’s actually a great question. In looking at the pictures, it seems to me that the Scaup is more pointed in the front which would help it cut through waves easier.

Other than that, the honker and SG seem well suited to my desires.
 
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