CAnderson
Well-known member
I have been in and around boats practically all my life. Most of that time has been spent on rivers and inland lakes. And the time spent in those boats has been recreational fishing and pleasure. I love boats and I love being on the water. I suspect that most of us can share that sentiment. It was only about 7-8 years ago that I began hunting from boats. That has changed how I look at boats. Well, I still love them and enjoy being on the water, now I understand that you don't have to put them away when the weather gets cold!
I started hunting out of a couple of friends aluminum jon boats. Those would be a 16', 18' and 20' mod-v boats. Each was from a different manufactuprer. When I made the decision to spend money on a duck hunting boat, it only made sense at the time to spend the money on a mod-v aluminum boat. I went with the 16' variety and have enjoyed the boat. It had limitations with a low side (20") and minimal free board once loaded down. I typically hunt with my son, and adult friend and two dogs. This pushed my aluminum boat to the max and we were always aware of the weather and when it was time to head home.
The past few years I have been doing research on duck specific boats and looked at all the avenues and considered sizes ranging from 12' up to 20'. I took the opportunity to test ride several models, manufacturers and lengths. I had many conversations with owners of the boats, and manufacturers of the boats. Last year as I had narrowed my choices to two different boats, I took the opportunity to hunt out one several times. In the end, I was sold on the boat. After my third hunt out of the boat, I made the commitment to Rich Young and Tom Ayers to buy a brand new DuckBoss 15 with the Yacht Club trailer and an Evinrude ETec 30hp with power tilt and trim. I don't believe I could be happier with the decision. Tom and Rich are both stand-up guys and are men of their word. Tom is a craftsman and I believe truly enjoys building these boats. Both were exceedingly patient with me as we went through the process and my many questions about the boat and engine choices.
The boat is designed to hunt two or three guys and a dog or two. Three guys can hunt easily out of the boat, but if comfort and room is your thing, two guys are perfect. There is plenty of room for decoys along the bottom shelves and in the bow of the boat. I took delivery in April of this year and my son and I have been enjoying getting out to fish, scout and play in the new boat. We definitely have put the time in to get out and get used to the boat's design and what it can do. I am very confident in the design of the hull, the construction, and it's ability to bring you home.
If any of you are looking for a new boat or a specialty duck boat in the 14-16' range, then you really owe it to yourselves to check these guys out. This boat is a great design to hunt from. It can handle some bigger water, but drafts little and can get you back into the skinny marsh creeks. The smooth bottom will allow the boat to slide a little in the bends but that smooth bottom also let's you slip right onto or off of a mud bank. That can really help when the tide runs out on you and you want to get back to the ramp.
Here are some pics:
This is the boat buttoned up and ready for taking the ride down to the ramp. For you guys that tow these style duck boats, boy is it nice to have this hard cover and have all of your stuff inside, protected and no worries about anything blowing out down the road.
Two places for the dog(s). This works great for me because we often hunt with two dogs. My son can sit in the middle. My friend and I can each sit at the front and rear while working our dogs off the bow or stern.
My son and I spent some time this week getting some of the Original Fastgrass on the boat. Next is another trip out to add some local marsh grasses to add depth and additional camoflage.
One of the specific things that Rich and I spoke about when ordering the boat, was that I wanted the blind fabric to be solid tan. As it turns out, Rich and Tom were planning to give the solid tan fabric a try. So I was a willing participant and now am a very happy customer.
We are headed out Monday for another attempt at some resident Canadas while the early season is open. Really looking forward to another hunt out of this boat and the season to come. Hopefully we will have plenty more pics and stories to share with you guys as the season opens. If you guys have any questions please feel free to post here or shoot me a pm/email.
I also decided to pick up one of the DuckBoss layout boats to try something new this year. I can't wait to get that in the water this year and see how it hunts as well. Hopefully more on that later with some experience under our belts.
Chad A
I started hunting out of a couple of friends aluminum jon boats. Those would be a 16', 18' and 20' mod-v boats. Each was from a different manufactuprer. When I made the decision to spend money on a duck hunting boat, it only made sense at the time to spend the money on a mod-v aluminum boat. I went with the 16' variety and have enjoyed the boat. It had limitations with a low side (20") and minimal free board once loaded down. I typically hunt with my son, and adult friend and two dogs. This pushed my aluminum boat to the max and we were always aware of the weather and when it was time to head home.
The past few years I have been doing research on duck specific boats and looked at all the avenues and considered sizes ranging from 12' up to 20'. I took the opportunity to test ride several models, manufacturers and lengths. I had many conversations with owners of the boats, and manufacturers of the boats. Last year as I had narrowed my choices to two different boats, I took the opportunity to hunt out one several times. In the end, I was sold on the boat. After my third hunt out of the boat, I made the commitment to Rich Young and Tom Ayers to buy a brand new DuckBoss 15 with the Yacht Club trailer and an Evinrude ETec 30hp with power tilt and trim. I don't believe I could be happier with the decision. Tom and Rich are both stand-up guys and are men of their word. Tom is a craftsman and I believe truly enjoys building these boats. Both were exceedingly patient with me as we went through the process and my many questions about the boat and engine choices.
The boat is designed to hunt two or three guys and a dog or two. Three guys can hunt easily out of the boat, but if comfort and room is your thing, two guys are perfect. There is plenty of room for decoys along the bottom shelves and in the bow of the boat. I took delivery in April of this year and my son and I have been enjoying getting out to fish, scout and play in the new boat. We definitely have put the time in to get out and get used to the boat's design and what it can do. I am very confident in the design of the hull, the construction, and it's ability to bring you home.
If any of you are looking for a new boat or a specialty duck boat in the 14-16' range, then you really owe it to yourselves to check these guys out. This boat is a great design to hunt from. It can handle some bigger water, but drafts little and can get you back into the skinny marsh creeks. The smooth bottom will allow the boat to slide a little in the bends but that smooth bottom also let's you slip right onto or off of a mud bank. That can really help when the tide runs out on you and you want to get back to the ramp.
Here are some pics:
This is the boat buttoned up and ready for taking the ride down to the ramp. For you guys that tow these style duck boats, boy is it nice to have this hard cover and have all of your stuff inside, protected and no worries about anything blowing out down the road.
Two places for the dog(s). This works great for me because we often hunt with two dogs. My son can sit in the middle. My friend and I can each sit at the front and rear while working our dogs off the bow or stern.
My son and I spent some time this week getting some of the Original Fastgrass on the boat. Next is another trip out to add some local marsh grasses to add depth and additional camoflage.
One of the specific things that Rich and I spoke about when ordering the boat, was that I wanted the blind fabric to be solid tan. As it turns out, Rich and Tom were planning to give the solid tan fabric a try. So I was a willing participant and now am a very happy customer.
We are headed out Monday for another attempt at some resident Canadas while the early season is open. Really looking forward to another hunt out of this boat and the season to come. Hopefully we will have plenty more pics and stories to share with you guys as the season opens. If you guys have any questions please feel free to post here or shoot me a pm/email.
I also decided to pick up one of the DuckBoss layout boats to try something new this year. I can't wait to get that in the water this year and see how it hunts as well. Hopefully more on that later with some experience under our belts.
Chad A
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