Cape May County pond/ ditch box

[CaptBobKeeney]

Here is a pond/ditch box from my collection of South Jersey gunning boats. This is a 1950 Cape May County Ditch/ Pond box. It is 7ft 6” long & 35 inches wide. It is made out of 1/2 inch cedar sides and transom and 1/8 inch cedar bottom planks. What makes it a Cape may county box is the sides of the box instead of staying straight up instead the side angles in to hold grass rails. As well as oar locks towards the bow since jersey gunners in pond box’s and sneakbox’s row facing towards the bow. Hope you enjoy the pictures last picture is of Harry Shourds 3rd rowing his Cape May County pond box’s

 

[Eric Patterson]

Bob

Sweet boat. It seems a bit deeper than other pond boxes I've seen. Any particular reason why? Payload, concealment, etc.?

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Bob~

Thanks for sharing this rich bit of history.

I am wondering if these boxes were set in ditches - or hard on the bottom in small potholes - to provide sufficient stability whilst shooting. I never shot from my gunning coffins when they were afloat - and I know that a broadside shot from my 13-foot canoe Sweet Gherkin - with a beam of 36 inches - almost put a rail under - and surely won my attention!

All the best,

SJS

 

[CaptBobKeeney]

Good morning, Bob~

Thanks for sharing this rich bit of history.

I am wondering if these boxes were set in ditches - or hard on the bottom in small potholes - to provide sufficient stability whilst shooting. I never shot from my gunning coffins when they were afloat - and I know that a broadside shot from my 13-foot canoe Sweet Gherkin - with a beam of 36 inches - almost put a rail under - and surely won my attention!

All the best,

SJS

Hey Steve, you are correct mostly all the box’s were pulled, towed, or rowed to the gunning spot then set in a small ditch or marsh cut out to Gunn out of. The main purpose was to be able to row out and retrieve the birds and decoys down in cape may county they have vast amounts of marsh but the ditches are just to wide to just and too deep to walk them that’s why you can row this as well.

 

[CaptBobKeeney]

Bob

Sweet boat. It seems a bit deeper than other pond boxes I've seen. Any particular reason why? Payload, concealment, etc.?

Thanks Eric, it is deeper because pond and ditch box’s for the Jersey coast were built to row in the deeper tidal salt ponds. A lot of today’s style pond box’s are built to be a dry layout box in the marsh.

 

[jode hillman]

Here is a pond/ditch box from my collection of South Jersey gunning boats. This is a 1950 Cape May County Ditch/ Pond box. It is 7ft 6” long & 35 inches wide. It is made out of 1/2 inch cedar sides and transom and 1/8 inch cedar bottom planks. What makes it a Cape may county box is the sides of the box instead of staying straight up instead the side angles in to hold grass rails. As well as oar locks towards the bow since jersey gunners in pond box’s and sneakbox’s row facing towards the bow. Hope you enjoy the pictures last picture is of Harry Shourds 3rd rowing his Cape May County pond box’s

Very neat. It's like a mini Garvey

 

[Anthony Babich]

Very nice Bobby, here's a few "Long Island Style" pond boxes I use up here a bit further north. The first is by Dave Clark I tow behind the Garvey for access to hard to reach areas, it's comfy nestled in there with shelves that I shove in between the mosquito ditches or ontop of the marsh. The second is a Smith built box I picked up they used over at the Pattersquash Gun Club , it's a talking piece at the shows haven't used just yet but similar style I'd say.. third is a limited run made by Bankes Boat Works! was originally made as a decoy sled but a top was added for a few custom orders lightweight / all fiberglass. Haven't came across a rowing one yet

 

[Richard Lathrop]

I am getting a casket vibe on that one.

 

[Wyatt Russo]

This is another Long Island style meadow or pond box I use here on the south shore of Long Island. One of the best ways to get ducks to finish in tight when the pressure is on. I can’t recommend using them enough. Mine is glass over wood with a camo canvass with grass loops sewed in. Takes no time to thatch up and ready to hunt. Floats with all my gear and an 8 slot decoy bag and slides across the marsh easily. Wish you the best with yours I’m sure you’ll get them in close!

 

[Steve Sanford]

This is another Long Island style meadow or pond box I use here on the south shore of Long Island. One of the best ways to get ducks to finish in tight when the pressure is on. I can’t recommend using them enough. Mine is glass over wood with a camo canvass with grass loops sewed in. Takes no time to thatch up and ready to hunt. Floats with all my gear and an 8 slot decoy bag and slides across the marsh easily. Wish you the best with yours I’m sure you’ll get them in close!

Wyatt~

I do not want to hi-jack Bob's Pond Box tale - but you've got me wonderin'.....

This old brain seems to recall giving your Dad a set or two of sawn-out gunning coffins (the plywood parts - floor and sides) many (10?) years ago. Is your coffin one built by Russo & Family? I think (?) yours may have been the first "improved" design - with a bit more beam through the shoulders and at the forward transom. I still have not updated the measurements on my website.....

As I describe in the "back story" - dragging over saltmarsh was a key design consideration. And, getting in and out easily was why I used fabric (first burlap, then canvas) for decks. I always distinguished gunning coffins (aka meadow boxes) from true pond boxes - because the former are not intended to be propelled whilst afloat. They tow well but do not trim at all with the gunner hiding inside. They need to be sitting on meadow, mud or sand - with maybe an inch or two of water at most.

Back story:

https://stevenjaysanford.com/gunning-box/

The full building instructions are at:
https://stevenjaysanford.com/sanford-gunning-box/
All the best,

SJS

 

[Wyatt Russo]

Wyatt~

I do not want to hi-jack Bob's Pond Box tale - but you've got me wonderin'.....

This old brain seems to recall giving your Dad a set or two of sawn-out gunning coffins (the plywood parts - floor and sides) many (10?) years ago. Is your coffin one built by Russo & Family? I think (?) yours may have been the first "improved" design - with a bit more beam through the shoulders and at the forward transom. I still have not updated the measurements on my website.....

As I describe in the "back story" - dragging over saltmarsh was a key design consideration. And, getting in and out easily was why I used fabric (first burlap, then canvas) for decks. I always distinguished gunning coffins (aka meadow boxes) from true pond boxes - because the former are not intended to be propelled whilst afloat. They tow well but do not trim at all with the gunner hiding inside. They need to be sitting on meadow, mud or sand - with maybe an inch or two of water at most.

Back story:

https://stevenjaysanford.com/gunning-box/

The full building instructions are at:
https://stevenjaysanford.com/sanford-gunning-box/
All the best,

SJS

No that wasn’t my dad, but that is quite the coincidence! I bought mine a few years ago from a guy out on the east end. Older guy he was looking to offload a few things since he doesn’t get out as much and his kids had no interest. I forgot his name unfortunately.

 

[greg setter]

Nice boxes Bob! And great explanation of the hows and why's of their designs and uses. What's great about regional designs from all over the country is how they illustrate the varying conditions and geography of the area, at least as far as us duck hunters are concerned.

 

[bob welsh]

Anthony, On the first pic what type of support holds that oval shape? Is it heavy wire or bent conduit or pex ? I like the way it holds its shape.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Anthony, On the first pic what type of support holds that oval shape? Is it heavy wire or bent conduit or pex ? I like the way it holds its shape.

Bob~

Pretty sure it's bent conduit....



I believe Dave applied my Gunning Box features ( canvas deck over a head-piece) to a slightly longer hull - with a foredeck and washboards - so it would serve as a true Pond Box, i.e., it would trim properly with a gunner inside - which my "coffins" will not.

All the best,

SJS

 

[bob welsh]

Your design Steve using the conduit is proven and I built two exactly from the plans you drew up . I still have one that gets regular use. I thought maybe Dave Clark used a cable similar to to what was used on the South Bay boats.