BBIII Tested Seaworthyness

C

charlie foulds

Well-known member
Well we finally had the BBIII out in some truly snotty stuff yesterday. Winds increasing throughout the day to w-nw 30, gusting to 40-45 mph. We headed for a very small little pocket of marsh that was out of the wind. Kicked out about 30-40 puddlers and geese going in and thought we would have a "blast" when they tried to get back in. Set up quick and tucked the BBIII in the reeds and marsh grass. Within a couple of minutes we had a mallard and goose in the boat and were waiting for more of the birds that we flushed out, and waited, and waited. They must have found another spot out of the gale force wind and stayed put. That was going to be it for the day.We picked up the spread and got ready to face the wind for the ride back to the ramp. What a ride it was...........2-3 footers in the bay head on and the BBIII handled them with "no problem". I felt safe and confident making the 2 mile crossing back to the ramp. I'm not so sure about my son, he had a worried look on his face and never let go of the ship to shore radio..preset to the coast guard station, of course. Here are some pics of the BBIII covered with ice from the trip back.Did I mention the temps were in the high teens with wind chills below zero. Look at the markings on the goose's head,I have never seen one with this type of markings.
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Charlie,

Good job. Now you know what the rest of us have been saying about that boat. I've been in the exact same situation and actually had to stop behind an island on the way back to get the ice off of my glasses. Came in with a half inch of ice on everything. I have yet to have my BB3 out in conditions where I felt threatened being in it and I've had it out in some pretty nasty stuff. Thanks for the pics.
 
You guys are making it pretty hard to even consider any other boat to replace my slightly used Broadbill. Like I always say "My next last boat". Thanks for sharing with those of us who have been shut down for quite a while.
 
Charlie,

Neat story, thanks for sharing. Most years my boat will be ice coated just like that after the last hunt of the season. Then it sits in my unheated garage and puts moisture in the air the rest of the winter. (melts just a little bit each day)

Nice to hear that you are pleased with how your boat performed. I'll assume you and your son were wearing your PFD's. One thing I'd suggest to everyone running a boat in these kind of conditions is to also use the safety lanyard for the motor cutoff switch. ( I am not saying you weren't, just thought I'd bring the topic up) In a worse case situation of losing your balance and going over board, it's nice to know the motor will not be running with you in the water.

I'll bet that goose has a few domestic genes mixed in at some point in time.
 
Charlie,
Glad you and your son are safe. And thanks for sharing the adventure.
It is frustrating waiting for that flight to return like you just know they will, only to never arrive. Another hunt at that spot in the future?
 
Charlie,good pics!!! I am glad to here she faired well through the nasty stuff,we are all iced in down here with hard water,Im glad you made it back safe and sound,hope your season goes well Brian Rippelmeyer
 
Thanks Dave, Its the law up here that after November 1, you MUST wear you PFD at all times in a any boat under 21' or is it 25', not exactly sure what the minimum size is.
 
Charlie,

It 21' and under from Nov 1 to May 31.
This was a pretty rough weekend on the water. We got hammered on Saturday and Sunday was even worse. I did not even try to get out Sunday morning.
Glad to see you guys are doing well with the new boat. I'll look for you at the ramp next week. I'll be up in that area.
 
The way I read it, the PFD is required while underway? I always wear mine underway at any time as I am not a strong swimmer and rarely swim even in the summer. I also wear mine while setting decoys if wading them out in the dark, and depending on the condition of the bottom will where it when picking up even in the daylight.

Dave
 
Nice ice covered adventure, and always good when Mr Murphy stays home.

I have had a few ice covered days in a canoe on the Snake river..no wind or big waves..just below zero and all water freezes to anything it touches..

21 ft? well guess you can't drown falling out of a 21.01 foot boat...... but a 20.99 ft boat is deadly....HAHAHA!! so much for rational thought on the part of the rule makers. Maybe I am splitting frog hairs..

On a lighter note...has anyone tried an inflatable PDf that uses the CO2 cartridge or manual blow up? I have used one doing field work on rivers but never had to activate one. Very comfortable and easy to get around in.

Matt
 
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