Bankes Dominator

C

CJ Tort

Active member
My hunting partner is thinking about purchasing a Bankes Dominator (the 14' 10'' boat). Before we make the trip to Ontario to look at the boat, I was wondering if anyone in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area owns one. We would like to be able to take a peek at it and ask questions from someone with experience with the boat. He has a 14' TDB Classic now and it is a little small for what we want. We are also looking for a boat that handles a little better in "bigger" water. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

CJ
 
Ive owned both......The Dominator is much better in rough water but doesnt hide as good in the marsh....if your gonna hunt divers or sea ducks with 2 guys and lots of decoys... bite the bullet and get the 17ft Freedom....both boat are have small cockpits for the gear that open water gunning req. JMO



Best
Bob
 
CJ,
I agree with bob.I still own a 17' tdb classic it hides well in marsh or along river banks.It is mostly flat bottom and will take a lot of rough water but you must slow down or take a beating. The dominator draws less water is more deep vee shaped and can run fast in a chop at higher speed. If i hunted a lot of divers in deep water and ran long distances over open water i would opt for the 17 bankes. For the way i hunt the 17 tdb classic is still my best choice.
By the way i have visited the bankes factory and rode in the first dominator built, i was very much impressed,they build a good product.
Bill.
 
CJ,
I own a dominator, but haven't used in much yet..Purchased last year and used a few times this past season..I live in Delaware and you're more than welcome to come take a look...
Bruce
 
Ive owned both......The Dominator is much better in rough water but doesnt hide as good in the marsh....if your gonna hunt divers or sea ducks with 2 guys and lots of decoys... bite the bullet and get the 17ft Freedom....both boat are have small cockpits for the gear that open water gunning req. JMO



Best
Bob
Click to expand...

Bob, Is there a boat you haven't owned? :-)
 
Bob, Is there a reason the TDB hides better than the Bankes? I am not sure he wants to spend the extra money for the 17', there is quite a difference in price and the 15' is pretty expensive as well. I think he is looking for a good all around boat that can comfortably hunt 2 guys and gear in the marsh, however can be used in some larger water situations. I guess what I am saying, is it too much of a hassle to hide the boat in the marsh?

B.E., where are you located in Delaware?
 
its more box shape than the TDB 14 and I think its higher...we have very short marsh grass on the South shore of LI NY...the Bankes is a great boat..I hunted divers in it for 1 year and scoters for 2....it can be done but with 3 or 4 doz decoys, gear, 2 guys and a dog it cramped.....just make sure its the right boat for how you want to hunt.......very exspensive as you know.....
 
CJ is your friend looking to take a look at just the quality of the bankes boats or is it more the actual size etc. More than welcome to come see the quality of the 21' Goliath I have we are in central NJ
My hunting partner is thinking about purchasing a Bankes Dominator (the 14' 10'' boat). Before we make the trip to Ontario to look at the boat, I was wondering if anyone in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area owns one. We would like to be able to take a peek at it and ask questions from someone with experience with the boat. He has a 14' TDB Classic now and it is a little small for what we want. We are also looking for a boat that handles a little better in "bigger" water. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

CJ
Click to expand...
 
Two guys, a dog, and all your gear I would say shoot for the Freedom 17 you won't be sorry. I have hunted out of a tdb 14 and 17 but never the dominator. I own the 17 freedom and never had trouble hiding it anywhere or getting home in it, but if you go for the 17 start with a 70 hp rather the trying to skimp on the motor. I started with a 50 and it just wasn't enough motor, the 70 can handle anything you can fit in the boat. You won't be sorry with a Freedom 17 and the Bankes folks are a great bunch to deal with. GL
 
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I think the 17 would be a good choice for what we are looking for, the only concerns I have would be the "hidability" of the 17 in some of the marshes we hunt.
 
Bill (Clark) you said that you own a TDB 17 Classic? what is this? When did they make this? For the last 10 years the only thing that I have seen is a TDB 17 Sea Class.....
 
Here is a head on shot of my 19 foot Bankes with a 17 foot TBD.

PC190053.jpg

 
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