Cartsen Mallard Sneak Boat

Dtown

Dtown

New member
Hey everyone.
I was curious if anyone has ran the Cartsen mallard sneak boat? I am wanting to use it for gunning small potholes and shallow marshes. I plan on using a small rig of decoys, 60lb Labrador and myself. What has been your experience and do you have any photos of one in the marsh.

Thank

Dylan
 
You might try to use the "search" feature to see what's been posted about the Carsten's mallard. Seem to remember an old thread where the consensus was that it was tough to paddle, but I would think for shallow marshes & potholes you'd be OK if weight and accessibility weren't huge issues.
That being said, there were a few people who mentioned that the Carsten's was a boat they were happier with on the day they sold it (Larry?).
 
Dtown said:
Hey everyone.
I was curious if anyone has ran the Cartsen mallard sneak boat? I am wanting to use it for gunning small potholes and shallow marshes. I plan on using a small rig of decoys, 60lb Labrador and myself. What has been your experience and do you have any photos of one in the marsh.

Thank

Dylan
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I,ve had a Bobcat in past and currently a Hellbender. While these style hulls can be paddled with a properly sized kayak paddle I feel the easiest propulsion is standing using a push pole. Especially once loaded with dog & decoys. If you,ve got long distances to paddle i,d look into something with a more efficient hull design. Even a short canoe will be much easier to cover distance with. Of course best method to hunt them is layout style ,grassed over unless you can slide it into higher vegetation. You,ll need something like the Momarsh layout seat to stay reasonably comfortable. My Hellbender is sit up with a removable brace between cockpit combing for seat back to rest against giving me just enough room to get my size 13 boots under front deck. Dog sits behind me. I made flip doors for mine similar to a layout blind door that I install once set in position to hunt. Bimini fitting with quick connect pins make it easy and doors ride in floor till set up. Almost impossible to paddle efficiently with doors installed.
 
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Dtown said:
Hey everyone.
I was curious if anyone has ran the Cartsen mallard sneak boat? I am wanting to use it for gunning small potholes and shallow marshes. I plan on using a small rig of decoys, 60lb Labrador and myself. What has been your experience and do you have any photos of one in the marsh.

Thank

Dylan
Click to expand...
I have an older Carsen's duck boat that I believe is a mallard model. I have had myself and my 85 lb Chessie in it several times. It paddle's well and can haul a pretty good load. My only drawback with it is it is pretty heavy for one person to deal with alone. Other than that, I like it. I took it in on a trade several years ago and have yet to take it hunting.
 
I have a Carstens Pintail which isn't much different than a Mallard. Didn't hunt out of it last season but it's a great duck boat, just heavier than my Chapman pirogue, 100 lbs vs 50 lbs. It'll carry a ton of weight and is steady to shoot from.

If you're having to carry or drag the boat far over land it'll give you a workout.
 
I had a Mallard for a season. It's heavy and drafts a bit more than I thought it would. Not a boat for one guy to be dragging around.
 
Dylan,
I contemplated buying a Carstens Mallard as they are made in Minnesota, I believe, but ended up building a Devlin's poleboat instead. I would think it is possible to mount oarlocks for rowing if you have to travel long distances. Though I built a poleboat and carry a pole on board, I find poling really only useful on very shallow water and calm winds with my skill level. Good luck on your purchase. Richard
 
RM Anderson said:
Dylan,
I contemplated buying a Carstens Mallard as they are made in Minnesota, I believe, but ended up building a Devlin's poleboat instead. I would think it is possible to mount oarlocks for rowing if you have to travel long distances. Though I built a poleboat and carry a pole on board, I find poling really only useful on very shallow water and calm winds with my skill level. Good luck on your purchase. Richard
Click to expand...
Yes my carstens mallard is set up with ore locks on it .
 
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