Boat building help?

G

GREG BASS

New member
Hello,



I am thinking of building a boat?

I have plan for a duck boat named the "Whistler" which got from D.N. Goodchild and it appears to be very similar to your boat? http://www.dngoodchild.com/divide_for_small_craft.htm
http://www.dngoodchild.com
Tons of boats plans available




I need to hunt with a dog positioned behind when hunting.

Where I hunt here in Michigan....I have to pull the boat over dikes to reach the different flooded corn fields or marshes..so I need a light weight and durable boat.

I like the Momarsh DP layout boat, but at ~ $1300 for just the boat not including ~ $350 shipping cost and accessories its too expensive for me. http://www.momarsh.com

I also have Zack Taylor's book "Successful Waterfowling" which has boat plans for the "Zack Taylor Widgeon" boat and the same plans for the "Whistler" boat, which he calls the "Gunning Johnboat" in his book. I really like the design of the Widgeon boat but I am concerned about the boat's weight and how I will be able to pull this boat over dikes?
I would guess the Widgeon weights ~ 120 lbs? I also concerned about durability...as far as dragging this boat across land on an incline(Dikes)?

Another concern is material cost? If the Widgeon boat or "Whistler" style of boat is close to the same cost as a Momarsh DP, then I may as well just buy a Momarsh,because the Momarsh would be more durable being fiberglass and NOT plywood.



Any advise would greatly be appreciated?

Thanks!
Greg
 
Greg
Those old plans used available building lumber. The plans should give you a list of materials needed. If you replace plywood with marine plywood, get pricing for the type of plywood and lumber you want to use. If you use the framing of the plan, are you going to use better lumber for it? Also, get the price for fiberglass cloth and epoxy you will need if you are going to use it. If you are going to pull it over rollers on the dikes access points, add a bottom keel and bilge keels so the hull does not make contact with them.
 
These old plans do not give you any materials list.

I am afraid to build either plan because I do not know what the finish boat will cost? ....And I would like to know the rough weights of the finish boats as well.

I what a boat ~ 100 lbs or less. I currently use an Old Town square stern canoe 15' ft. and this canoe weights ~ 115 lbs., and when hunt alone this about the max. weight I can pull over the dikes by myself. When I was young I used my grandfather's old 12' ft. row boat and that boat weight ~160 empty.....can't do that anymore though.

I just do't want to waste my time and money on building one of these boats if the cost is ~$1000 or more ...and they turn out too heavy for me to handle.

Thanks for reply to my posting!!
 
Don't build a boat to save money. If cost is your motivation, save your money until you can buy what you want. Saving $1500 takes less time than building a boat that costs $800.

Build a boat because it sounds like fun. I am building a boat now. It is a bigger build than what you are describing, but not by much. I've been working on it 2.5 years at this point due to deployments, moving and occasional losses of enthusiasm. It is a blast and I would do nothing different. However, despite the reasonable investment in materials, your time has value, even it you don't think so now. I have missed out on 3 duck seasons and a lot of redfish due to being in the garage building a boat. If I were to put a price on missed ducks, I couldn't afford this thing. As is, it kept me occupied when duck hunting wasn't feasible for me, so it was okay, but the road block in question is now gone, so I have to get this thing done.

If you still are interested and want a light duck skiff for paddle, oar or pole, look at the Honker on bateau.com. It is a cool little boat and should be very light. I want some type of poke boat or scull boat next and the Honker is on the list of options. Bateau plans are a dream to follow and very clear regarding materials. That being said, order extra epoxy.

Nate
 
I think your looking way over $1000 plus your time. If you are comfortable with a canoe you might look at a Raddison aluminum canoe. I have one that was my Dads. It's 14ft. 44lbs and very stable. Lined with closed cell foam held in with aluminum ribs on the inside along with foam sponsons on the sides. Mine is about 45 years old and still in good shape. I looked them up and for mine which is a square stern there about $1200.00 new.

Tom.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the advise! I check out the Honker boat also. Yes, looks fairly easy to make, but it is very similar to my current Old Town 15' foot Canoe "Predator SS150".

I want to build a sneak boat or just buy a MoMarsh DP boat?

Thanks for the advise.
 
If you want to build a sneak boat I would recommend building a Devlin Broadbill before a Zack Taylor Wigeon. The Broadbill is a planing hull and can cover water much faster than a displacement hull Wigeon. If you plan to only row the boat build the Wigeon.

http://duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=203363;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

There is a fiberglass MLB Zack Taylor Wigeon for sale in the classifieds.
 
Last edited:
WHere is the MLB Zack Taylor Wigeon posted for sale in the classifieds? All I found was a posting from 2010...nothing very current?

I will check out the Devlin Broadbill...Thanks...is this a plywood plan as well? Have you built one?

Greg
 
Page 5 of the classifieds

*MLB Wigeon - $800**
|
*
_________________________________________
Mighty Layout Boys Zach Taylor Wigeon (BBSB). All glass (with flotation). Painted with Lou's FME Open Water Gray. 

Includes dodger (painted to match boat), floor board to keep you out of the dog water, oars, backrest/seat, and a fiberglass cockpit cover. Does not include trailer or motor. 

Rated for 5hp (I ran a 9.9). 

Hull is coated in Gluvit marine epoxy. One fiberglass patch on bottom - prior owner had scraped a rock - for peace of mind I glassed it, painted it, and epoxied it. 

I replaced the oarlocks with sturdy oarlocks - now you can really row. 

Killed lots of ducks out of it - time for the next owner. $800 to a duckboats member. 

Below are pics of her in action: 
 
It isnt my boat. It says it is located in WI. Go to page 5 of the classifieds. I just copied the info from the posting.
 
If you are looking to not spend money, but want a boat to be dragged and beat up a little, and not be concerned about it, then look at the Hybrid.

http://www.hybridduckboat.com/files/index.php?id=1

You can easily modify the plans to extend the boat to 10 or 12 feet to make room for the dog behind you. You'll have $300 to $500 in materials into the boat depending on mostly the fiberglass and epoxy products you choose. The plywood will be the cheapest part of the boat. Some of these boats are over 10 years old now and are still out there getting ducks.

Over on the Refuge forums there is a huge sticky thread documenting dozens of boats and their builds.

http://refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=602498
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top