Advice on sneakbox - AA Broadbill or MLB Wigeon

Scott

That is the best AA Broadbill refurb I can remember. I look forward to a sea trial report. Thank you very much for sharing this project with us. For certain it will be referred to many times in the coming years by other Broadbill owners whose boats need repair work. You have set a high bar and that is a very good thing.
 
I'm sure I would not have finished it if you and other's had not been so helpful. The physical structure of the boat has changed from a built on frame to something more similar to the structure of a stitch-and-glue. My feeling is the hulls much stronger now and that is mostly thanks to your persistence advice.

Thanks to all.
Scott
 
Just a quick update. Managed to get the boat on the water last night. Not used to running in such a small boat -- very low on the water and felt more like I was riding a surf board than a boat. Handles really well with a 15 hp, must rip with a 25. But I forgot my phone so no pics. She's sweet - will post some pictures when I have a chance.
 
No updates for a while. Boat was in the water, I've only hunted from it here on the opener. Water levels in the St. Lawrence River are very low and we are really limited where we can hunt. Parked it at our wharf a coulpe of weeks ago and there it sits ... high and dry. I hope to get it out of the mud this weekend. It tows well!IMG_0607.jpeg

Had a couple of little incidents. When I got back from the field this summer I found out that Grey Squirrels love plastic. They've chewed my new plastic grassing rails and my black plastic cleats. Nothing serious, but takes the shine off.

I do have a questions. I am running a 2018 15 hp Suzuki 4-stroke on it. It's good with me and the dog, but I don't think it will perform well with another person. I have an option to upgrade that motor to a 20 hp. One thing I'm not liking is its performance in the weeds. I'm guessing the 4-strokes don't have a lot to give on the bottom end. I'm looking at a Yamaha 25 2-stroke. These are late 1990s motors. Any thoughts on repowering? Would you upgrade the Suzuki or go for the 2 stroke?

Thanks
Scott
 
Scott

In my experience older4 stokes were heavy and slow but that changed when they went fuel injected making performance similar to a two stroke. That boat will scoot fully loaded with the Yamaha 25 two stroke. If the 20 hp is a late model fuel injected I'd lean towards it. If not the Yamaha 25 is a fine motor. I run that same motor on my Devlin Broadbill.
 
If its right a fuel injected 4 stroke 20 is sweet. Won,t have the performance of the 25 though. I use to run a 2 stroke 25 Merc on my Blackjack and even with 2 people and a dog boat would fly. Check motor specs for weight and see if the 20 is built on a 15 block or 25 block. Many 25 4 strokes now are built on 30 blocks but i,m not sure on a 20. My gut tells me 15 &n 20 share same block.
 
Th Suzuki is fuel injected - This was the reason I selected it as it is supposed to sip fuel. The 9.9, 15 and 20 hp are all on the same block and I don't think there is any weight difference between the 2 and 4 stroke. The Suzuki is <=100 lbs. It be about 450 CAD to convert to 20 hp. I was really wondering about the performance on the low end. Maybe it is not the norm here, but with water levels so low I might get 50' before I have to clear the prop -- faster to pole.
 
Your the only one who knows how much of a load your planning to carry. Are you going to grass boat, add dodger, how many decoys do you plan to carry, have a dog and probably most important is boat going to be for transport of just you or transport of 2 people to a blind, etc. When you start adding body's that will be the biggest drain on performance. Fuel injection is a big plus in my book especially starting in cold weather and definitely fuel consumption. 2nd time around after buying my Black jack back I ran a 15 2 stroke on it, heavily grassed with a roll up sidewall blind and dog. It was all the 15 could do to breakout and get on plane. Never do it with 2 people.
 
I have it grassed up now with flapper boards and I'm carrying 16 decoys and my dog. It makes quite a difference to performance, but it is acceptable. If I had to go a long distance I'd just tow it. I'm really wondering if there is a difference in performance of the 2 vs 4 stroke in the weeds. Been a while since I ran a 2 stroke ... my memory is that the 2-strokes were ok in the weeds. But my memory is not as reliable as it used to be.

Thanks
Scott
 
I have the extract boat. I have a 1990 Merc 2-stroke 15hp and a 2023 Tohatsu 15hp 4 stroke EFI. I cannot tell the difference between the two and they both chop weeds equally. It does seem the 2-stroke clears the weed better when I put it into reverse, maybe higher rpm or smaller size lower unit?

I highly recommend a spray skirt. Wave height and frequency sometimes out sizes the ability to trim the bow up or it will cut a wave in half when towing. I went the two-piece Dodger route where I can remove the top and only have a skirt.

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Thanks John.. I have in my mind that the 2-stroke performs better in the weeds, but I'm guessing it's just in my mind. We just need more water! I see that you have a much higher transom mount than I have. Might make a difference getting into shallower water.

Pulled the boat out today as I'm heading off deer hunting for the week. Usually hard to leave this time of year, but a quick scout today and saw hardly a duck. I did make a dodger for it. It was a quick job and I have no idea how to sew so it is not perfect, but it functions. I really like yours and may ask for the pattern.

Thanks
Scott

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