AA Broadbill vs Blackjack question

Chip M.

Chip M.

Active member
From what I've learned the Blackjack made since the 80's has always been a solid glass boat but what about the Broadbill? Was this a solid glass commercial offering that people began making in wood & glass or was it ever offered in solid glass? I saw a mid 80's broadbill at the ramp but the owner said he didn't know if it was solid glass or glass over wood? Anyone know?
Thanks.
 
Broadbill was made in fiberglass same as Blackjack. Broadbill was also offered in a kit form to assemble yourself. I beleive this was wood to be glassed over. Also plans were sold at one point to build from wood.
 
Both Broadbill & Blackjack great boats. Very seaworthy for a smallboat and plane easily. The blackjack I,m gunnin from this season I originaly bought new in 1992, sold it in 95 to get bigger boat for carrying my sons when they were young. Just bought it back off craigs list this spring. Never dreamed I,d ever see that boat again and just so happened the guy I sold it to back then had garage kept it and its still in great shape.
 
Any ideas about the older ones made back in the 80's? Same thing? I've always hoped I'd come across one for sale one day so I wanted to learn what to look for. Someone said that the state they were made in makes a difference as well?
 
I,ve heard about the state they were made in thing about TDB,s but not any problems with the other boats Duck Boat Comp. originaly produced. I have noticed on older Blackjacks, and i,m assumeing Broadbills , they,ll leak at the joint between upper and lower halfs. This is easily fixed by removeing rub rail and replaceing the track , which sandwichs both pieces of hull together. Alittle 5200 along seam behind rub rail track and screw track back on instead of the original pop rivets and problem solved. Leaking at this point and around stern handles will soak flotation in corners and can lead to rot if not addressed. Those corners are backed with plywood so they need to be dryed out if leaking has occured.
 
All glass is misleading.

The floor in the boat is fiberglass over plywood on the top surface. My mid 80s AA wigeon has the original floor and it is solid.

The transom has a plywood core. Problem here is the construction. The waterproofing of the wood relyed upon the cockpit cover a sealing between the joint. Once the seal fails, water seeps in between and the wood becomes wet. Once wet the water has no place to go and rot stops.

Final note is the seam leaking between the two halfs. Apply a liberal amount of sealant if leaking is found. However, if you have an original wood core transom you may want to consider something other than 5200. Perhaps 4400 or just a marine sealant and not a sealant adhesive like 5200 or 4400. That way you will have an easier time separating the two halves when you decide to replace the transom. When I started trying to separate the cockpit from the hull I thought I had made a huge mistake as it was a half inch at a time with the whole boat lifting as I attempted to get a knife between.

Good luck and great little boats that are surprisingly stable.

Chris
 
Your right on the money. My blackjack also has wood core under floor. Pertinent to keep drain tube open from front to rear and boat raised in front when stored as they will sweat bad and weap water as any boat with wooden ceiling will do. Found the wood core when patching damaged area in floor from where he had carryed long tail mud motor resting on floor.
 
Check CL in other states. Often after the season you can locate one on the East Coast for a fair price including the day trip or weekend get-a-way. I saw a number over the late winter and early spring.

Good luck.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top