If you let the oar lock socket, I suggest you bore all the way through to ensure a drain.
BBSB Pond Box Build
- Thread starter SJ Fairbank
- Start date
Good idea to point that out. I always do it, and the oarlock holder is shaped the way it is to allow flow through of the deck wash and relieve the drain hole. The photo was taken before the hardware and all the holes were drilled.
Capt Rich Geminski
Well-known member
Really like the group discussions here and all the helping hands.
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Gents~
Yup.....allows deck wash, saves weight, drains sockets....
Such details aside - those portraits stopped this old heart for a beat - truly gorgeous!
All the best,
SJS
So, just curious. I think you said you prefer to row facing forward. I'm the opposite. The curiosity comes in regarding your photo, which way is forward on that scooter? Our boats had the spray shield forward.
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
SJ~
No, I always face the stern. It's my understanding, however, that traditional Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes were rowed facing forward. I will let Capt. Keeney illuminate.
We on Great South Bay (almost everybody) also shoot over the stern. The spray shield in my photo is on the foredeck.
All the best,
SJS
It must be a regional thing. All of our boats were rowed and gunned facing over the stern. I've tried to row a sneakbox facing forward and it just feels wrong, but to each his own.
As a point of interest, when we were young kids (8 on up) exploring alone in a boat, we weren't normally allowed outboards. My father and grandfather had a saying "If you can row, you can go". It was clear that we were never to go so far that we needed assistance to get back, or that was it for solo boating. I rowed six miles each way to fishing spots many, many times. Some boats such as sneakboxes are a joy to row. Others, such as locally made plywood skiffs, not so much. You learn a bit about playing the tides, too.
FWIW, blowboating was never an approved method so I can't sail worth a darn. One jib ho and I get whacked in the head.
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Good morning, SJ~It must be a regional thing. All of our boats were rowed and gunned facing over the stern. I've tried to row a sneakbox facing forward and it just feels wrong, but to each his own.
As a point of interest, when we were young kids (8 on up) exploring alone in a boat, we weren't normally allowed outboards. My father and grandfather had a saying "If you can row, you can go". It was clear that we were never to go so far that we needed assistance to get back, or that was it for solo boating. I rowed six miles each way to fishing spots many, many times. Some boats such as sneakboxes are a joy to row. Others, such as locally made plywood skiffs, not so much. You learn a bit about playing the tides, too.
"If you can row, you can go".
I have never owned a gunning boat that could not be rowed (except for my canoes....). As it happens, I have an Armstrong Blackjack and a South Bay Duckboat in my restoration queue (for customers) right now - neither is set up for rowing. But - I also have a fully-restored (by me a couple of years ago) South Bay whose new owner wants me to install oarlock stanchions. The design is with the R&D Department at Pencil Brook Boatworks as we speak....
As you allude, the hull makes all the difference! My Great South Bay Scooter and my Barnegat are both displacement hulls and row beautifully. Those who have rowed only planing hulls have not known the efficient gliding motion of a sweet hull.
Sorry to hear about your bad experiences with sail. The solution is a larger boat! I do not enjoy scrambling around beneath the boom of smaller vessels - but the helm of my WILLET (22' LOA) was a very relaxing place to be. For me, the magic of sailing has been one of Life's great pleasures.
All the best,
SJS
Very true. It's hard to describe the feeling of one stroke and a long glide, together with the gentle hiss smooth water makes against the curved hull. Magical for the poet in the waterman.
I have not rowed a South Bay, is it a good hull for rowing? Actually I've never been aboard one in the water. They appear wide and squatty to my eye, not particularly well suited for oars.
I was being facetious about sailing. I am far from accomplished, but spend a day or two on friends sailboats most years. One more thing to improve upon when I retire.
The highlight of my sailing career came at the expense of my business partner's boat 35 years ago. It was a 38' custom racer, we were on a company day trip from Old Saybrook to Claudio's in Greenport with 14 people aboard. I know the route along Long Beach West of Orient Point, having motored through hundreds of times on the way in or out to the offshore grounds. I'm at the helm, my partner says tack now in a tight area, to which I say no bueno, it's shallow. Captain Sandbar insists so I oblige, which results in the cleaning of barnacles off the keel while we kedge back to deeper water for the next hour. I like to think it was a teaching moment. He paid for the beer.
Richard Lathrop
Well-known member
In a sneakbox you can lay out so the boom passes overhead no issues.It must be a regional thing. All of our boats were rowed and gunned facing over the stern. I've tried to row a sneakbox facing forward and it just feels wrong, but to each his own.
As a point of interest, when we were young kids (8 on up) exploring alone in a boat, we weren't normally allowed outboards. My father and grandfather had a saying "If you can row, you can go". It was clear that we were never to go so far that we needed assistance to get back, or that was it for solo boating. I rowed six miles each way to fishing spots many, many times. Some boats such as sneakboxes are a joy to row. Others, such as locally made plywood skiffs, not so much. You learn a bit about playing the tides, too.
Rick Lathrop
Steve Sanford
Well-known member
SJ~
I have not rowed a South Bay either. I would expect one to be slow - but not cranky like most true planing hulls. The owner of the boat I'll be putting the oarlock stanchions on live on a small lake - and can get to and from his gunning spots quickly. He actually uses a trolling motor now. The average South Bay uses a 15-horse - and planes - and bounces - across the bays.
I would want the rowing capability simply to get back home if the outboard fails.
All the best,
SJS
So true. First thing men of our generation look for in a duck boat. The new generation of duck boats usually ignore that possibility and omit oarlock holders. Better to have a cell phone, I guess. Call your posse for rescue and film the breakdown for youtube while you wait.
A little more progress. I'm on a mission now, as the season starts again in two weeks. I've been stalled on the boat because mischievous individuals on this site convinced me to flock decoys. 
My OCD kicked in and flocking consumed pretty much all my spare time the last two weeks. I just got the mallard flock, that's up as soon as I finish this build.
The boat got a couple of coats of paint. I ordered Parker Marsh Grass, the supplier sent Hunter Green. I tried it but it's too dark for my taste. I had a can of dead grass kicking around, so I mixed the hunter green into the dead grass at about 1%. I like this color for a boat that will be grassed. Now I need to overpaint the interior.
I've forgotten what I described in earlier posts, so to recap:
The canvas hoop is laminated mahogany attached to oak bases. It's removable, you can see the pins (to be trimmed) inserted into the coaming. The support pole is adjustable to tension the canvas and easily replaceable. The pole is a fiberglass electric fence support from Tractor Supply, trimmed to length. The hook supporting the hoop is a small "L" of oak.
I decided to minimize the flooring to keep weight down. This vessel is only 9' long and my hope is that I can drag it across the marsh to hidden potholes, frequented by old Mr. Black Duck.
There's a little triangular piece atop the aft coaming. (Still green, soon to be brown.) That's a removable vertical riser to support a slightly higher canvas in the stern. The boat has very little interior depth, I want to be able to get the dog in there with me. He'll probably end up in my lap, but that's what best friends do.
I haven't gotten in the boat yet to check the backboard length. It may get a trim, but looks ok at this point.
I'm pretty sure the oarlock holders will be installed, based on eyeballing how the canvas should fit. I'll wait until the canvas is complete to be sure the oarlock holders don't interfere. The bow eye and deck cleat are also ready to be installed. Now I need to learn how to use a sewing machine, without hurting myself.
My OCD kicked in and flocking consumed pretty much all my spare time the last two weeks. I just got the mallard flock, that's up as soon as I finish this build.The boat got a couple of coats of paint. I ordered Parker Marsh Grass, the supplier sent Hunter Green. I tried it but it's too dark for my taste. I had a can of dead grass kicking around, so I mixed the hunter green into the dead grass at about 1%. I like this color for a boat that will be grassed. Now I need to overpaint the interior.
I've forgotten what I described in earlier posts, so to recap:
The canvas hoop is laminated mahogany attached to oak bases. It's removable, you can see the pins (to be trimmed) inserted into the coaming. The support pole is adjustable to tension the canvas and easily replaceable. The pole is a fiberglass electric fence support from Tractor Supply, trimmed to length. The hook supporting the hoop is a small "L" of oak.
I decided to minimize the flooring to keep weight down. This vessel is only 9' long and my hope is that I can drag it across the marsh to hidden potholes, frequented by old Mr. Black Duck.
There's a little triangular piece atop the aft coaming. (Still green, soon to be brown.) That's a removable vertical riser to support a slightly higher canvas in the stern. The boat has very little interior depth, I want to be able to get the dog in there with me. He'll probably end up in my lap, but that's what best friends do.
I haven't gotten in the boat yet to check the backboard length. It may get a trim, but looks ok at this point.
I'm pretty sure the oarlock holders will be installed, based on eyeballing how the canvas should fit. I'll wait until the canvas is complete to be sure the oarlock holders don't interfere. The bow eye and deck cleat are also ready to be installed. Now I need to learn how to use a sewing machine, without hurting myself.
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Looking great, quite jealous!
roy brewington
Well-known member
As far as dog in boat build your dodger so dog can lay on deck behind you. Safest for both him and you. Or if you,ve leg room position dog behind you in cockpit. Would require a rod from side to side of combing inside for your back rest to lay against. Would probably require dodger to have 2 hoops instead of prop for dog to lay on deck.
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I agree that is the best way with a dog. That is the way our full size BBSB's were/are set up. At only 9', it is not an option to put the dog on the foredeck or behind the hunter. Chances are I'll still need to bring the mutt hutt for him, but it's always fun to try something new. This pond box is an experiment. If I work out the bugs to my satisfaction I'll build two or three next summer incorporating whatever modifications I come up with. I enjoy hunting with a buddy or two.
roy brewington
Well-known member
You could always take along a sled similar to the Beavertail and put dog in that in a dog blind to one side The larger sleds will easily hold a dog plus dog blind and easily towable behind your pond bx if required. Or build the dog his own little boat!