'48 Ducker

Shannon Hansen

Shannon Hansen

Member
The good news is that I found a 1948 "Ducker" on Graig's list (No. 534). The bad news is that I think it was used every day since it was built. Good for her... not as good for me! Let the restoration begin!!

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Removed all of the hardware. Some corrosion under the trolling motor mount plates.

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Rivit replacement and tig welding several holes.

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Home from crushed glass blasting. Next off to primer and paint.

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Awesome boat. I have two of them and the first one I purchased even had the aluminum oars. I felt bad as first using them as they are such a piece of duck hunting history but thats what they were made for. My most memorable hunt out of one was a few years ago during the early goose season in NJ. My brother and I carried it to a nice water hole in the middle of the woods where we shot our guns hot. My poor friend who was on land did not even get a shot off.
 
Bryan, The ducker is very cool and I can't wait to get it in the water. She's pretty beat up to be a show boat so I'm busy pounding out most of the dents.
My son and I plan to use it until the bottom falls out :) Ohhh, as for the Garden State, we lived in Flanders for 7 years. Everybody thought we were country folk living in central Jersy... but it was great!
 
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We lived there in the 90's. We were just visitors as we are originally from western Nebraska.
We simply had a great time in NJ. Just close enough to the city and just far enough away :)
 
Shannon, I am sure you guys will enjoy the boat. I purchased two round wooden railings that I sharpened on one end to anchor the boat through the holes located on each end of the Ducker. For a blind I use wooden dowels placed through the loops on the inside of the boat that run all the way around the cockpit. Throw some camo nets over them and you are good to go. Quick to set up and take down. I am sure photos of your Ducker completed and in action would be greatly appreciated by members of this site.
 

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Removed the railing, straighten the best I could, weld repaired many holes and then back together.

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The Alumacraft plate may never be the same :-(

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Bent railing from its battle ship days.

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A friend of mine loaned me some aircraft spring loaded clamps. They work great to hold everything while you replace the rivits.

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Finished deck repair. I weld repaired many holes from past "great ideas" :)
 
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Several of the rail loops were missing. I fabricated new ones out of aluminum.
I'm still thinking about how to handle the blind. I know I just want something easy up and easy down.
I also ordered some round aluminum tubing for the two anchor holes. I see others have used wood poles but I think I'll try aluminum to start out with.

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Etching primer is on! I'm currently attempting to remove as many dents as possible.
I ordered paint yesterday so hopefully next week I can get the base coat on.

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I'm considering using this 1/2" thick camo matt on the floor/bottom. Not sure if this is a good idea or not.

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Also considering this seat.
The cup holder comes off.
I'm guessing I will leave it off and plan on drinking and telling stories after the big hunt :)
 
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I used 3M spray adhesive to "tack" my carpet in my Alum boat held up for years. and when I changed it out old glue peeled up easy didn't even peel the paint :)
 
Just wanted you to know that I am enjoying watching this remodeling take place as you continue to update us with new pictures. Good luck.
Al
 
That new seat is functional and I have a couple in my go devil boat but its too modern looking for tha ducker. My two cents worth. bob
 
I'm considering using this 1/2" thick camo matt on the floor/bottom. Not sure if this is a good idea or not.
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Is it some kind of closed cell foam that makes it 1/2" thick? Would do well to deaden the sound and make the aluninum "warmer" too.

Great project, keep the pictures coming!

Chuck
 
Shannon, would you give us some specs on the camo mat? Wouldn't mind knowing a little more about it and where to find it.

Thanks

Nice job on the ducker so far. It should be a lot of fun to hunt out of.
 
Check out the following link with pictures and info. I ordered it from Cabelas.

http://www.cabelas.com/...l=SEO%3Bcat104680980


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