Boat build questions?

Billy Price

Billy Price

New member
As a lurker for years, I have finally decided to log in. Unfortunately, I have little to give to you but much to ask of you. Currently I am trying to decide on the correct boat to add to my duck tools. Currently, several options interest me. Mainly a Zack Taylor Widgeon, BBSB's, and the Aurthur Armstrong Widgeon. My questions for you gentlemen are : How do these designs compare in seaworthiness? How difficult to build? And what sort of price difference would I be looking at between the different builds?

What sort of horse power do you guys run on each of these craft? If any of you could post pictures of carrying capacities of the various craft it would also be appreciated.

Thanks,
Billy
 
Welcome Bill
I have no experience with any of your choices. You will find help here and I am sure if you build one your pictures will help the next guy.
 
Billy, you may want to list where/when/how/weather/#people/dog?/#deeks?... then you'll get quality answers...

Years ago I started off with "I want a BBSB" and people would ask... why do you want one? and I answered "because they look cool"... and because I was new to duck hunting, their questions back to me forced me to understand the above checklist and I ended up with the perfect boat - for me.

Best, Andrew
 
Research a lot before you start to build, and really take to heart what Andrew suggested. When I was contemplating a build, I recall discussing BBSBs with Andrew and he was kind enough to point out the disadvantages he saw. As it turned out, those factors didn't matter to me at all because of the way I intended to use the my boat, and for other reasons as well.

I ended up building my own version of the Hybrid. It's not a BBSB, but has many similarities. Here's a picture of it. If you think you're interested in building one of these, I'll be happy to provide you additional info (including cost). I'll be happy to share some of the research I have saved if you wish.

I'm not sure you really asked for general advice, but I'm going to give some anyway: take your time and be thorough. If you build a boat, keep in mind that your life (and the lives of others too) depend on what you build, how you build it, and how and when you use it.

By the way, Andrew, I'd be happy to show you the boat if you'd like to see the finished project. If you're interested in seeing it just let me know. I'll be happy to take you on a hunt. It works well in that spot you showed me years ago (and it's a whole lot more stable than that canoe we used to get there was)

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BoatinWaterLongView.jpg

 
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Are you hunting the Big River or the smaller bays along the coast to the north? Are you hunting up river away from ship traffic at Portland?

Those three boats are similar, with a traditional BBSB being the hardest to build with the planking. If I remember correctly the AAW uses frames like the ZTW. With both boats being plywood construction they can be built with the stitch and glue wrapped in fiberglass and remove a lot of the frames leaving just bulkheads and knees to support the decking. Not something for the first time builder to consider.

I recommend skipping these boats and moving on to a "modern" design of Sam Devlins. They are garvey styled sneak boats with sheet plywood construction and are easy to build and well supported by this site and the designer. They are stable and seaworthy as well.
 
Zack Taylor Widgeon, BBSB's, and the Aurthur Armstrong Widgeon

Billy,

I do not build boats, I just buy them and use them to hunt and fish. I have had a few of the boats you mention.

I owned a Devlin Broadbill. Great little boat, lots of fun to hunt out of and to run up and down the river in. The cockpit opening was pretty small for use with a dog, but a very capable little boat with a 9.5 hp motor. With the planing hull I could travel miles up or down stream in a short time. Due to the size of the boat I would often haul a bag of goose decoys strapped on the front deck. I had mud smeared on the decks and a bit of grass and brush stuck in the grass rails. I used the boat on a small river where I lived. I would pull it up in a log jam or against the bank and hunt.

I got a fiberglass Arthur Armstrong Wigeon. It has a larger cockpit opening for me and the dog. The Wigeon is a planing hull and will cover plenty of water in a hurry with a 9.8 Mercury. It is a good hunting boat. I have some army camo net with grass fastened on it that cover the decks of the boat and it works fine. The bigger cockpit is nice with the dog and for hauling decoys.

The MLB Zack Taylor Wigeon is a displacement hull. I planned to run a 5 hp on the back. It rowed very easily. It has a smaller cockpit like the Broadbill. I sold the MLB before putting it thru a season so I do not have a lot to say about the boat.

To me the BBSB boats are a great all around hunting boat. Little marsh boats are great if you need to carry the boats, drag them thru the mud, don’t have access to a boat ramp, and you don’t need to travel miles on the water to set-up. The BBSB’s will hide almost as good as the marsh boats, they are much more seaworthy than a little marsh boat, and you can cover plenty of water. I used my BBSB style boats more like a marsh boats on smaller waters. If I was hunting the big river or big water, I think the David Clark Estuary would be a good choice for a BBSB. I like the planing hulls on the river where I hunt. I look at those Roy boats with the 25 hp motors going 40 mph and think they would be great fun. Devlin has plans for both planing and displacement hull boats.

If you are going to buy a boat figure out where you are going to hunt and decide if you want/need a planning hull or a displacement hull. Don’t buy a displacement hull and then be disappointed it won’t go real fast. If you do not know the difference between the two hull styles go run some boats before spending your money.
 
Fellows, I appreciate the advice. To answer some of the pertinent questions: The boat will be used on smaller bays and rivers along the northwest coast. Very doubtful on taking it out in the big water of the Columbia River(that river scares me). It will primarily be my dog (65lb lab), a 3-4 dozen blocks, and myself on hunts. I like the idea of a low profile easy to hide craft that can comfortably hunt a 200# 6'4" guy and a dog.

I have considered some of Sam Devlin's designs. Curious to see what you guys recommend. Unfortunately, I see attributes I like in several of his designs(Bluebill, Mallard, Black Brant 2 &3). What major pros and cons can you point out?

Thanks for all of your replies!
Billy
 
I have a bbII. I carry about 4-5 doz blocks and a 95# Chessie. I personally would not want a smaller cockpit.
 
If just you, the dog, and the decoys the Bluebill would be a very good boat for those waters. A Broadbill might be a little small, but still workable. The Black Brant 2 or 3 would allow for more decoys and another hunter with lots of safety margin. If you are traveling any distance or into water that is shallower than 12 inches you should go with the BB3.

Bill Burruss has a Broadbill and lives north of you. See if you can get with him and meet up to see what his boat offers. Search on here for his posts. His latest photo shows his boat at low tide, beached.
 
Here is my Zach Taylor Sneakbox Widgeon. I put this together, in my basement, about twenty years ago. Unfortunatly for me, at the time all I had were hand tools, and I followed the instructions to a "T". Now I am planning on building another. This time, I have a fully equipped woodworking/cabinet shop to build her, and the adhesives available today put the old-fashioned rescorcinol (sp) glue to shame.

The Zach Taylor boat uses a "strongback" and is basically all "stick-built". As I understand, the Devlin boats are all "stitch and glue". Chevy/Ford as to which is better, faster, stronger, etc. Just two totally different building concepts.

I don't use it nearly as often as I should.

Any way you decide, this site is the place to hangout. There is more knowledge about the subject here, than anywhere else.

Any way you decide, GOOD LUCK! and most importantly, HAVE FUN!

I though maybe this may wet your appetite!

Sneakbox1.jpg


Sneakbox2.jpg


Sneakbox3.jpg

 
Good luck with your quest. One thing I would recommend is that you figure on carrying more than you think you might. Decoy bags, dogs, guns, ammo, lunch, life jackets, push poles, anchors, oars and stuff take up lots of room. You will have to move around in the boat sometimes too. I feel a "bit too big" is better and safer than a "bit too small."

I am not sure there is a "right boat" for anyone. It's more about what YOU want. I will tell you this: Once you start building the thing, it's more fun than you imagined. It takes on a life of it's own. Take pictures.

Speaking of pictures, you acn search old posts made by lots of us and see us build them. It could give you a bit in insight into the search for YOUR boat.

Regards,
Dave
 
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