BBSB for the Big Guy?

Jeff Reardon

Jeff Reardon

Well-known member
Supporter
Hi folks:


First, thank you to all who participate on this site. I've been lurking and posting occasionally for the past several weeks. This is an incredible resource, and there is a lot less BS than on most online sites. Kudos to the moderators and all the participants.

Second, a plea for help. I've been hunting out of either a canoe or kayak, or out of an 18 foot Lund, since I first took up duck hunting 4 years ago. I love both, and both have their place, but I am looking for something to "fill the gap" between them.

A Barnegat style sneakbox seems perfect, and, if I find the right deal on one that's used, might fit into my budget for next year. But from the looks of the "For sale" section of the forum, I am likely to have to travel to find what I'm looking for, and I'd like to start my search with as much information as possible. I don't want to spend a day driving, and waste a sellers time, just to find out their boat is too small for me.

However, I've never seen one in person, and am concerned that many--maybe even all--the boats on the market may be too small for me. I'm interested in feedback from other "dimensionally challenged" hunters.

I'm about 6'3", 290 pounds, with a 56 inch chest and size 15 feet. It was a real challenge finding a kayak big enough for me--especially one that allowed my feet to fit comfortably under the forward deck. One of my ankles is fused after a severe break, so I can't point my toes on that foot to fit them under the deck. I'm afraid I may find the same issues with sneak boxes, and that their capacity may be too small for someone of my weight.

I'd be grateful for any insights, and especially for recommendations of designs/commercially available BBSB's that might be a fit.

Also, if there are any owners of BBSB's here in Maine, NH, or northern Mass, I'd appreciate it if I could check out your boat to see how it might work for me.

Thanks,

Jeff

PS I can heartily recommend Old Town's Predator 13'9" kayak for fellow Sasquatches, but unfortunately they no longer make it. And Orvis makes a nice size 15 wading boot . . . . not many others do.
 
Jeff,

I am not as big as you.....my sleeve length is 38" and a 19.5 - 20 neck, 49" chest and no tummy....try buy a shirt.....HAHAHHAHAHA!!! Drives me nuts, mail order is about it and then it is limited.

Ok I am an official knuckle dragger..

I have an older fiberglass Phoenix kayak....11 footer....hard time fitting into it..

Matt
 
....try buy a shirt.....HAHAHHAHAHA!!! Drives me nuts, mail order is about it and then it is limited.


Matt
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I don't mind the mail order shirts so much . . . but try buying shoes through the mail. I hate buying shoes I haven't tried on, but know of only one store withing 3 hours of home that occasionally has a few size 15's.

Better yet, try to buy an off the rack suit. I can find size 56 suits, but the pants they sell with that size jacket would go around my (fairly ample) waist twice! Good thing I wear waders a lot more often than pinstripes.

Thanks for the replies. The Black Brant is definitely on my list, but I haven't seen one for sale. If I decide to build I may go that way. The Dave Clark Estuary looks like a great boat, but is likely beyond my budget.
 
Jeff: your posting sound familiar Bill Wasson,tomaston owns a BBSB,Carl Guay owns one I own one and we all live in maine. Bill
 
I would go with a custom built Bluebill or Black Brant and make it fit your feet and back span.

Lee Harker was a pretty lanky fella with large shoes and his daughter still has his boat for sale in MI. It might not allow for size 15 boots with a locked ankle though.
 
Thanks to those who posted here and those who PMed me with thoughts and advice.

A few responses to questions:

(1) Build or buy: I might someday decide to build, but that's not in the cards now. I need to acquire some basic carpentry skills first. I'm looking to buy. (Although I do dream about building a Black Brant . . .)
(2) Budget: Don't really know yet. I do know that I can't afford the prices I see for many of the new custom or small production boats I see here, so I am looking in the used market, and probably for a boat that needs some work, as opposed to one that is recently refinished by an expert. But, as I said in a PM to one of you, I'm still in the process of figuring out what I am shopping for. Really a choice between a BBSB or similar and a scull boat--with which I am a lot more familiar.
(3) Just so that no one gets upset, please understand that, although I might choose to buy something for sale now if the right boat comes along, I'm not looking for an immediate sale. So please don't get too frustrated when I turn out to be tire kicker rather than a serious buyer. For now, I'm in tire kicker mode while I learn more, and may be looking to buy something before next season.

Finally, many thanks to the gentleman from southern Maine who gave me a call last night at home. I was really enjoying our discussion, and I do want to see the boats you have and talk some more in person. I DID NOT mean to hang up on you while you were talking, but I was cooking dinner, and accidentally hung up the phone when I stuck it under my ear to take something out of the stove. I forgot your name and never got your number, so I can't call you back, but would like to continue our discussion. Next time I'll sit down so I can improve my phone etiquette. LOL. Shoot me an email or a pm.
 
Classic Barnegat has their stretch model at 14'. The Classic Barnegat is listed at $2800 which may be a good budget number to try to save up for. Of course you would still need a trailer and motor.

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Jeff - I have the MLB Chuck Huff - if you have any plans to be in CT come spring shoot me a pm and I'd be happy to let you try it out on a local lake.
 
PS I can heartily recommend Old Town's Predator 13'9" kayak for fellow Sasquatches, but unfortunately they no longer make it.
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I have two of the Old Town 14' predators good kayaks. They no longer make the camo predator, but they do still make the Twin Otter which is the hull they used for the predator. The colors they make the twin otter in are not much for hunting, but for recreation or fishing a bright color might be good so a guy doesn't get run over.
 
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