boat build, yes or no

N

nathan luft

Active member
for as long as i can remember i have been using my dads boat for hunting, but i think it is time to get my own. so here is the deal i dont know if i want to build or buy. so here is what i am looking for, a boat that can handle very big and shallow marshes, any where from 1 to 3 dozen decoys and some goose floters. i also hunt buy my self alot (well me and my lab) so i need some ideas and pics would be great thanks.
 
Nathan,
What is your price range?
How shallow is 'shallow' (for me, that could mean 10 inches of water, for some that's 2 feet)
How big is big? (will you get lots of big waves out there, or is it mostly sheltered)
Do you want to be able to carry and hunt a second person from the boat?

A few boats that are discussed here quite a bit come to mind based on what you said

These are for sheltered waters that are extremely shallow
KARA Hummer
MoMarsh boats (the DP and Fatboy)
Four Rivers

BBSB...this is more expensive, but will handle much rougher water than the above options

several of the Devlin boats
Broadbill, Bluebill, Mallard, BBII, BBIII

The list goes on and on to be honest.


As you can see, there are a LOT of choices. Have fun with the decision!

Scott
 
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i dont know if i want to build or buy.
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Not to be blunt, but only you can decide this.


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[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]so here is what i am looking for, a boat that can handle very big and shallow marshes, any where from 1 to 3 dozen decoys and some goose floters.[/font]
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Any number of factory boats as well as proven designs for building your own are out there that will do this job quite nicely. This link can get you started on you research mission. Boat specs There will be a whole list of styles to check out in the list on the left of the page in the link.
 
As in Wilmar MN? I'll be driving through this upcoming weekend.

Do you plan to fish out of the boat as well as hunt? Are you good at shooting ducks sitting down or do you prefer to stand? Will you be building a blind or pushing into weeds the whole time? How tall are the weeds?

Lots of questions you see. You can always build a duck specific boat and then buy a more all purpose boat.

Mark W
 
Don't build a boat to save money; you won't. A homemade boat will cost more than a good used boat or often even a good new boat. Build a boat if you like to build things, want something unique you can't buy factory built, or have a special mission a factory built boat can't fulfill. Home built boats also require an annual touch up on the hull and good bit more care in general than your typical aluminum duck boat hull. Don't expect to be able to build a boat you'll hunt out of this year. Next year is the earliest reasonable goal.

Don't let me talk you out of building a boat; there's nothing like hunting and fishing out of a boat you've built yourself.

Ed.
 
Building the Scaup took me four and one half years off and on and was one of the most rewarding experiences I've had.

I think you build because you want a boat that reflects you and your style of hunting.

If you are interested only in "the hunt" then buy one. If you are interested in "the duck hunting experience" build one and then learn to carve your own decoys. That's my next step, along with two Kara style pole boats.
 
well i think i am going to build a boat, i have rebuilt sevral boats and i think it is time to build my own. in replay to some of your questions, the water i hunt is about 2 to 4 feet deep, and yes we see some big waves some days. i was thinking about the bbsb, and it will only be a duck boat, i dont fish.
 
I think a BBSB would be just the ticket for shallow water with big waves. Good luck. Remember this too- after you start your build you will not get good answers unless you post pictures.


Bob
 
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