Devlin Broadbill huntability questions

D

David M

New member
Hi again, A few questions for owners...After checking out some of the alternatives (DIY and Hybrid), I think the broadbill is what I need to safely layout hunt open water on central SK's lakes and reservoirs.

* Will I be able to layout with my feet vertical under the rear deck (I wear a size 9 wader)? I'd rather not raise the deck, want to keep the profile low.

* How many life-sized decoys (scaup, cans) could I reasonably transport above and below decks, in mild weather? what about on choppy water? I won't have a gas tank in board.

* Any comments on how divers respond to the boat on open water?

*Any one been out in their broadbill and felt really unsafe b/c of weather? What were the conditions like? Trying to get an idea of sea-worthy-ness
 
By raising the deck just a little you can dramatically increase the decoy storage and fit your wader feet under the deck however makes you comfortable. My broadbill easily holds 5 dozen life sized decoys under the decks with the cockpit uncluttered. Without raising the decks you will come close to getting two layers of decoys but not quite,thus cutting down on your decoy capacity. Your size 9 feet shouldn't be that cramped in the as-designed deck, but for me the minimal increase in deck heigth really made the boat more efficient w/o sacrificing stealthiness.
 
By raising the deck just a little you can dramatically increase the decoy storage and fit your wader feet under the deck however makes you comfortable. My broadbill easily holds 5 dozen life sized decoys under the decks with the cockpit uncluttered. Without raising the decks you will come close to getting two layers of decoys but not quite,thus cutting down on your decoy capacity. Your size 9 feet shouldn't be that cramped in the as-designed deck, but for me the minimal increase in deck heigth really made the boat more efficient w/o sacrificing stealthiness.
Click to expand...


Plus crowning the deck a touch more makes it look better in most cases.
 
David,

I built a broadbill a number of years back and sold it about 2yrs ago. Size 9 will be cramped for sure, even more so if you wear the cabela's 1600's like me. I didn't have a spray dodger and would highly recommend it. It was a wet ride in any chop and I would get nervous when it did get choppy. I typically would strap a couple decoy bags to the fore deck and that would help some. With the other gear in the boat I didn't have much room under deck. I sold it for a larger and safer single man boat. If you search my past posts you'll find some with my build pictures.

Hope that helps.

Ryan
 
David,
I built my Broadbill to spec (deck curved per the plans) and fit my size 8 waders under the rear deck to hunt low blind- plenty of room to spare. Used to carry 3 dozen GHG lifesize bluebill plus an electric cord reel full of 1/8" long lines under the front and rear decks, 8 G&H mallards under the sided decks (4/side) as well as a 3 gallon tank under the front deck. Boat does well in choppy water, but you have to remember it is only 10' and respect the seas. The Broadbill is MUCH more seaworthy than the old 14' jonboat I used to own. It really does amazing work for its size.

-Bill
 
Thanks for all the input. If I think I can do it without much trouble, I'll raise the deck a bit...and make a dodger.
A larger boat is always tempting, but I know if it won't fit in my truck it won't get as much use as it should... too hard to turn around with the trailer on and I end up doing a lot of that while glassing lakes and looking for access.

How difficult might it be to make the boat 1-2" narrower, and raise the deck a bit? Are those simple adjustments, or more difficult than it sounds?
 
Last edited:
My nephew has one, and for one guy a dog and 2 dozen dekes it's perfect. More that that and it starts to get crowded fast. It's not hard to make adjustment to overall plan, as Eric suggested. I like the broadbills alot. simple one man boats that handle well.
 
Last edited:
i have an aluminum one with a copper head on the back, since the motor is so big i shoot over the bow. i dont know if it was built to spec, but if it was it is probably because of the thin aluminum that i can put my size 12 boots (cabelas 1600 mag's) under the front deck. the most dekes ive had in mine was 12 mag mallards/black and a dozen teal. they fit nicely into the cockpit.

but i am definetly going to add some combing this year (i dont know if that was in the plan), it sits good in the water but the back is a little low, but with such a little boat a little is alot. then for a blind this year im going to make thatched flappers for three sides of the cockpit. cant wait to start the remodel i just have to ask a guy to weld up my ideas beause the guy i had fix the boat last year moved to ohio
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top