Alumacraft Ducker

"The regional DU director made a comment that kind of threw me. He said that this will only go over in certain DU Chapter Banquets. When I asked why, he stated that he has several chapters/banquets, where there really aren't any duck hunters that attend them."


Yep, I've been to 3 DU Banquets in my adult life and I was say that 80% of the attendees never duck hunted, it was a social event for them, someplace to be seen.
Most of the rest duck hunting consisted of going to a big fancy lodge in Arkansas once a year.
Maybe 5% were diehard duck hunters like we have here on the DHBP.
 
Greg,

I love the idea of making the better mouse trap so to speak. My suggestion is to reach out to Mark Rongers and ask him for his insights to the world of waterfowl boats. Mark brought several different kinds of boats to market and I would expect that he would have great insight as to what you could expect for annual sales etc. I don't have his contact info, but somebody here may be able to help you.
 
If your approaching 90 lbs. and still decide to mkt. it better make sure you have an attachment for mini mud motor or small outboard at least as an option. Thats getting to be a heavy boat to paddle or lug around sans trailering to launch site. This plastic you speak of building it from ,is it similar to what better grades of kayaks are built from or a weaker molding?
 

Back in the day all the guys on DU committees, and 75% of folks at the banquets were dedicated/passionate waterfowlers. The other 25% IMO were folks wanting good wildlife art, aka made in the USA.

My involvement with DU began in 1968, and continues but at a adjusted rate of support. I have seen the organization move in different directions over the years. Yet conservation, especially in Canada is still the keystone.

Say, think, and believe what ya want. Until you have seen, set foot on, and hunted any of the many DU projects in Canada you are really missing out on what DU did, and does the best.

From whom they get the $$$$$$$$ don't matter. What they DO matters, and now more than ever.


As for the Ducker idea. I have used a fiberglass Appleton Wis. style marshboat since the early 80's. Smaller cockpit and beam than the ducker, which I prefer, cuz in the marsh it IS a killing machine. These days there seems to be a cult of collectors, and some old school guys that prefer them. If ya got yerself a BIG dog, and like to use lotta decoys... I'd suggest another vessel.

In the USA there is much less marsh habitat than there was, and a helluva lot less marsh duck hunters, competing for what there is.

Check most of the boats that members of duckboats, build and use the most. Lotta marshboats?


As already stated, there are plenty of marsh boat options out there already, in a wide array of styles. Folks want a boat that they can use for more options than hunting a short period of time.

Check out some of Chet Reneson's paintings, of a marshhunter leaned over into the wind, tuggin' & pullin' a loaded marsh boat to get himself some ducks. If ya ain't into that hard work, and sweat that style of huntin' ain't for you.


What ever you decide I wish you well.


my 2 cents
VP
 
Duckers are cool boats for sure. As I don't know your manufacturing process I'm thinking a 50lb boat may be a bit difficult to achieve in that size. I will admit I've been out of the roto molding game for a while now and I'm not familiar with the material you mentioned. Here is a link to a roto molded boat that is coming in at 85lbs and is 10' x 42" just for reference. Marsh-N Hybrid Layout Boat | Area 51 Layout Boats (layouthunting.com). If it can be achieved I think you would have a good seller.
 
do some research for Outlaw ducker. about 15 years ago the Outlaw boat company did exactly what you are talking about. they came out with a fiberglass "ducker" knock off of the Alumacraft ducker. it weighed 120#. it didn't sell all that well. the Outlaw boat company went under due to a large lawsuit over their 18 ft blind boat failing in high winds on one of the great lakes (as I remember) and 3 or 4 duck hunters died.

in todays world, most of the guys that are running small skiffs/pumpkin seeds/ or layout boats or whatever you want to call them; are moving towards aluminum boats or heavier glass; that they can run the small mud motors on. at least that is what everyone in the midwest is doing. for motors take a look at the PPF wooduck as an example or the copperhead 7 hp. for boats look at the 4 rivers or Momarsh, those two are glass take a look at the CountyLine it is alum.

good luck with your potential business. you may want to reach out to your state's Small Business Development Center and see if they can assist you with some market analysis to determine the potential sales interest. if you were in Iowa; I could connect you to several resources to assist. you may also reach out to your states Manufacturing Extension Partnership program to what they can assist you with for connections. also for start up funding; you can contact the SBA.
 
Greg Vowell said:
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I appreciate the input and opinions.[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I had never heard of Creek Boats. Spent some time this morning looking at their boats. [/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I did check out the Otter and it's 44 inches wide and weighs 115 lb., very stable boat from the videos and chat rooms. Thinking the catamaran style adds to the stability. The Beavertail Stealth 2000 weighs 130 lb.[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]There was an internal discussion to go less wide than 48" to lighten the weight, but I really like the stability of my ducker and don't think the weight savings is worth giving up the stability.[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]In the past, I've used a kayak paddle with the ducker as well as oars. Heck before I really knew what I had I mounted a 1.2 hp outboard on it (Had to drill some holes). While it wasn't as sleek or fast as a canoe, IMO I always thought it went through the water pretty good as far as oaring.[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I thought I read somewhere on here the ducker weighed in at 67 lbs.??? [/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Well from the first analysis/modeling we know we are going to need structure support. The shell of the model weighs 65 lbs. Knowing that we will have to add structural support which would bring it closer to 82 lbs. The structural support could also function as gun rack and oar storage.[/font]
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[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We will see if it's doable or not but please keep the input coming in.[/font]
Click to expand...

I'm really not the type of person to say an idea is good or bad. I have owned several small duck hunting boats in my lifetime and I was in the boat business for awhile. I don't know your age nor you duck hunting style. I'm 61 and do my best to get away from crowds while hunting. I currently have 4 different duck boats. Three of them are small lightweight boats used to make me mobile and allow me to hunt by myself. There are many hunters like me. The heaviest of my small boats is 60lbs and that boat is difficult to put on top of a car without an assist of some type. The boat is a Hoefgen Duckboat. It is an old style double ended skiff. It paddles easily, tracks straight and is very stable. I bought the ducker to replace that boat. It didn't come close to the performance of the Hoefgen. It paddled like crap compared to the Hoefgen and was uncomfortable to hunt out of. The Ducker was built in the 50's I believe and designs and improvements have been made since then. Many people purchae a duckeer for collecting purposes as well, not to hunt out of.

All I am saying is I think you should really check out the demographics of who you think will buy this boat. In a pool where there are many great options for small portable duckboats, I am pretty certain a 95 pound plastic ducker would not sell well. And I don't know how to describe this but it isn't just the weight, it is the way this weight is distributed on a boat like a ducker. It is not like a canoe where you can put a hand on each gunnel and lift over your head. The weight is inboard more since there is a deck all the way around the ducker. The center of gravity makes it a difficult boat to lift at 67 pounds much less 95 pounds.

Why not take a pole of people on this site. Provide the exact specs of what you want to produce and ask how many would purchase your boat today. Don't ask if they would be interested in your boat, ask if they would purchase it today.

As mentioned, it is not my nature to throw water on ones hopes and dreams, it really isn't. The number of duck hunters in the US is dwindling, they are getting older, and there are a lot of options in the space you are trying to enter.
 
Mark W said:
Greg Vowell said:
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I appreciate the input and opinions.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I had never heard of Creek Boats. Spent some time this morning looking at their boats. [/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I did check out the Otter and it's 44 inches wide and weighs 115 lb., very stable boat from the videos and chat rooms. Thinking the catamaran style adds to the stability. The Beavertail Stealth 2000 weighs 130 lb.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]There was an internal discussion to go less wide than 48" to lighten the weight, but I really like the stability of my ducker and don't think the weight savings is worth giving up the stability.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]In the past, I've used a kayak paddle with the ducker as well as oars. Heck before I really knew what I had I mounted a 1.2 hp outboard on it (Had to drill some holes). While it wasn't as sleek or fast as a canoe, IMO I always thought it went through the water pretty good as far as oaring.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]I thought I read somewhere on here the ducker weighed in at 67 lbs.??? [/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]Well from the first analysis/modeling we know we are going to need structure support. The shell of the model weighs 65 lbs. Knowing that we will have to add structural support which would bring it closer to 82 lbs. The structural support could also function as gun rack and oar storage.[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]
[/font]
[font=Verdana, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]We will see if it's doable or not but please keep the input coming in.[/font]
Click to expand...

I'm really not the type of person to say an idea is good or bad. I have owned several small duck hunting boats in my lifetime and I was in the boat business for awhile. I don't know your age nor you duck hunting style. I'm 61 and do my best to get away from crowds while hunting. I currently have 4 different duck boats. Three of them are small lightweight boats used to make me mobile and allow me to hunt by myself. There are many hunters like me. The heaviest of my small boats is 60lbs and that boat is difficult to put on top of a car without an assist of some type. The boat is a Hoefgen Duckboat. It is an old style double ended skiff. It paddles easily, tracks straight and is very stable. I bought the ducker to replace that boat. It didn't come close to the performance of the Hoefgen. It paddled like crap compared to the Hoefgen and was uncomfortable to hunt out of. The Ducker was built in the 50's I believe and designs and improvements have been made since then. Many people purchae a duckeer for collecting purposes as well, not to hunt out of.

All I am saying is I think you should really check out the demographics of who you think will buy this boat. In a pool where there are many great options for small portable duckboats, I am pretty certain a 95 pound plastic ducker would not sell well. And I don't know how to describe this but it isn't just the weight, it is the way this weight is distributed on a boat like a ducker. It is not like a canoe where you can put a hand on each gunnel and lift over your head. The weight is inboard more since there is a deck all the way around the ducker. The center of gravity makes it a difficult boat to lift at 67 pounds much less 95 pounds.

Why not take a pole of people on this site. Provide the exact specs of what you want to produce and ask how many would purchase your boat today. Don't ask if they would be interested in your boat, ask if they would purchase it today.

As mentioned, it is not my nature to throw water on ones hopes and dreams, it really isn't. The number of duck hunters in the US is dwindling, they are getting older, and there are a lot of options in the space you are trying to enter.
Click to expand...

Mark, what do you use for a seat (if anything) or a back rest when you hunt out of the Hoefgen? Those look like fantastic boats for a solo hunter--way better than most kayaks; hide better than a canoe.
 
Hi Greg,

I sent you a message in Facebook messenger. Wanted to make sure you knew it wasn't spam or a hack. I am interested in talking with you about your build.

Thanks,
Steve
 
I just got rid of my Ducker. Cumbersome weight distribution and I typically would be alone and didn't want to scratch it all up. If with two guys I'll be in a different boat. For hunting alone, I really enjoy my Maxi Poke Boat. Best of luck in your pursuit.
 
It's nice to see people's thoughts and input.


The project has lost a little bit of traction. In order to get the rigidity needed to support a 500 lb. load we would have to have mold in support structure which adds weight. I appreciate all the feedback and it's not 100% dead but I have a lot of irons in the fire at the moment.

It might be one of those ideas that sits in the back of your mind until you least expect it and a solution presents itself.
 
Jeff - I have changed the way I sit in that boat. I used to use a stadium type of seat in the bottom to keep me out of any water that may get into the boat. While it worked, it wasn't great. Built a wooden slat seat and it didn't work well either. In the end, the way the boat is designed, the cowling is at such an angle that it makes a great backrest on its own. I now just put a boat cushion on the bottom and sit on it. Works well.

I also take that same cushion and put it on the rear deck when I paddle the Hoefgen. The deck is strong enough to support me and I'm around 210 lbs..

I have also put a small motor mount on it so I can use my homemade mini mud motor. Much better than paddling back upstream.

It is a great boat. I've tried others and keep going back to the Hoefgen. I also have a kevlar Poke Boat for the times I really need lightweight and portable. Hoefgen is still a better boat.
 
At 90 lbs you are in the DP Momarsh area which I hunt out of. Even more so last year. I'm 64 so putting it on top of anything is not for me but it is easy to put in the back of my truck
 
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