Boat Recommendations for Michigan

P

phillips

New member
Hey my first post. I've been reading posts on this site for the past few weeks and there is some great stuff. Wondering if someone could give me their thoughts on a boat to hunt is west michigan. My needs are the following:

1) size - up to two men and a dog with gear.
2) power - paddle, electric motor, or small gas power 2hp (any thoughts on electric versus gas).
3) location - some small lakes (as a layout boat) and drifting river systems (sneaking).
4) weight - something around 100lbs. (putting in my pickup truck and 1 man handling)

A couple that seem interesting to me is the Otter 2000 and the Carsten Mallard. Also was wondering on a canoe option as the Cranberry Creek Canoe Marshlander. Anybody have this set up or have other recommendations. Didn't realize there were so many ways to go.

thanks, Mike
 
Check out the MoMarsh boats. Canoes scare me zipping down the river in winter..I'd buy a 2 man kayak before a canoe.
 
2 men a dog and gear... would indicate to me at least something in the 14' range.

you might be better off with 2 1 man boats?

(or a fabulous DHII 2 man marshboat that is for sale in west michigan on the classifieds section... :):) lol )
 
The Momarsh Fat Boy DP is very similar to the Carsten Mallard (i.e. length, weight, cockpit opening, max load), I would think it would come down to quality of the company making the product any experience with Momarsh? The Fat Boy does have a square transom for a motor mount, which would be nice.
 
I did look at your boat. Looks nice, but a little heavy without a trailer and for one guy to muscle out of a pickup truck. thanks again
 
The DP is a great boat, but as Justin said you might want to think bigger since "two men and a dog with gear" would max out its 550-pound capacity unless you're planning to paddle and carry one hollowed-out balsa decoy and a retrieving Chihuahua.
 
I hunt out of a 12 foot Aqua pod made by Attabar from Washington state. . This boat has severed me very well in all the hunting types you have mentioned. It has severed very well as a layout. it tows very well loaded with decoys behind my 16' lund. you can pole it in the marshes. We have even caught a bunch of fish out it during the "off" season.
Good luck,
chuck
 
I'd have to agree with Chuck, The aquapod would be a great choice from what you say your looking for
 
his boats are excellent...I'd guess that there are close to 25 or so people on this site that own one, or the other, of his boats....and I don't know any of those that are unhappy with their boat(s).

I currently own a FatBoy and (2) FatBoy DP's....I choose the one I'll hunt out of based on the conditions and whether I want to use a motor that day or not. I've used the DP as an open water layout in the past and it works well in certain conditions for that purpose.....big water you'd want a tender but in the right conditions it works well....

I don't like either boat as a TWO MAN boat and wouldn't recommend them for that other than perhaps short distance trips in very shallow water.....go with something else if you are looking for a Two Man, Dog and gear craft....

The only other boat I'd consider is the Hoefgen Canoe.....I beleive they are special order boats now but won't swear to that......they "ooze" Duck Boat sexiness in my opinion and the only reason I don't own one is I've never found one close to me to buy....

you might post where you are and ask who in the same general area has one and then you might be able to "visit" one....bring cash cause I'm betting you're mind will be made up once you sit in one...

Steve
 
I'm in Holland and just getting into duck hunting. I picked up a Lab over the holiday. I've had a couple of German Shorthairs that I used for upland hunting and pheasant in South Dakota. Both my brother-in-laws have Labs and I've gone duck hunting with them, so I thought I would give a go. We have several river systems in the area that looked promising.

thanks, Mike
 
Use Lee Slikkers duckboats..he doesn't use them any more...He is in Holland and makes a few "little" boats.
 
Lee are you kidding with me? Tiera makes some great boats (I work right next to them at JCI), didn't think they had a duck marsh boat in their inventory. If you need an Optima battery for your trolling motors let me know I can get a deal.

thanks
 
I don't think they make midget boats....Lee is a semi regular here and was a duck hunting fanatic till he got into falconry. If you talk to him, ask how much to make a marshmonster pumpkinseed layout boat.
 
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