Arthur Armstrong

D

Dave Rogers

Member
An opportunity to pick up an AA sneakbox has presented itself to me. I already own a 15 duckboss, but have been wanting to add a low profile boat to the mix. I don?t know what I am looking at though. Are AA boats glass over cedar I don?t think it is solid glass and it seems a little heavy? Anything in particular I should watch out for? I have one pic. Should?ve taken more. Anything you can share is appreciated.




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Factory boats were all glass with glass over plywood floor and same with flotation bxs in rear corners. They were not really light boats to start with in the Blkjack & Broadbill line. Widgeon was a bit lighter at 12'. Stern was Glassed over wood. They have a habit of leaking when underway with an outboard at top/bottom seam covered by a piece of vinyl trim. Also at rear grab handles if they,ve loosened. Water gets inside hull and water logs them in areas that can,t be seen. Easy way to tell if this is going on is to jack up bow so any water will run to stern and drill a couple small holes at bottom of those rear flotation bxs. If water drains out its been leaking. Drill holes right size to install a couple live well drain plugs back in to seal areas. The Broadbill was sold as plans and put together kits also which did come as wood that required glassing over. Sweet little hulls once you get them sealed up right & very seaworthy but they aren,t light by any means.
 
North Carolina? I think it is a Broadbill. I was considering it last year..... found a Blackjack closer. I think that one is all glass if I remember my correspondences. Get it cheap and know it will take some work. You can find the specs on this site, or on the TDB site too I think. 14ft, rated for 25hp, I think. Hope someone gets it and posts it up!
 
I had a wigeon and now have a blackjack. The one you have there is a broadbill, never been in one, but the two I've had I've liked. I have to get into the transom this summer and will be checking the boxes like Roy described. They are both pretty seaworthy, I like the blackjack better as I've gotten older as it is roomier, but also heavier. Don't draw much water, I once poled my wigeon across a mudflat when the tide ran out-but I was in my 30's then. Very stable.
 
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Good morning, Greg~


I have nothing substantive to add to this thread - however, this caught my eye:


"...but I was in my 30's then. Very stable."


Now you've got me wondering.....


All the best,


SJS
 
Loved my Blackjack for getting into shallow areas. Even when I had a 25 2 stroke on it it would pole easily in about 4 " water if I recall correctly. And yes ,very stable. Last few years I owned it I hunted from it in an upright grassed cordura blind. Could stand to shoot without extreme boat movement. No more than say a 48" wide floored jon boat. Tuck that wedge bow up on marsh and became even stabler.
 
Steve Sanford said:
Good morning, Greg~


I have nothing substantive to add to this thread - however, this caught my eye:


"...but I was in my 30's then. Very stable."


Now you've got me wondering.....


All the best,


SJS
Click to expand...


Steve-the first part is true, I probably exaggerated on the second
 
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Thank for all the replies. I went and looked at the boat and decided to take a chance on it. It needs some tlc, but it could be hunted out of as is. I?ll post pics as I get to work.
 
Hang a short shaft 25 2 stroke on it and be amazed at how that little hull will fly. 15 2 stroke pushes them but with a hunting load (dog ,decoys, weight of blind/grassing) just not expediently!
 
Thanks Tom. The boat currently has a 9.9 4 stroke on it. Most likely I?ll sell the motor and power up. I paid 1k for the whole rig so even if the boat has big issues I?m not out much. It all seems solid and is a ton lighter than my duckboss. I?m excited to get started on it.
 
I have a Carolina Built AA Broadbill. Mine came with a Mercury 9.8 which was way underpowered. I upgraded to a 2 stoke Evinrude 25 for a while then decided on a 2 stroke Evinrude 15 to save weight. I see no important difference between to 15 and the 25 for what I do, 2 guys a dog and maybe a dozen corks or herters foamers.
It is seaworthy as hell. I added decoy racks to the back sides for storage.
Great boat, I have had it for at least 20 years now..
boat.jpg
 
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Thanks for posting the brochure Tom. The previous owner said this boat was a widgeon, but it is definitely a broadbill. I wasn?t positive but the capacity plate matches what you posted. I tried to start working on it today, but was derailed with a list of shit to do before Easter.
 
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