devlin scaup suggested changes
- Thread starter Colin Wheeler
- Start date
Andrew Holley
Well-known member
I have a question I am going to add to this discussion, which I don't think will be stealling your thread.
Has anyone ever made a "topper" for the boat? Here is what I am thinking about. When I started building this boat, I was planning on hunt mostly small to mid size lakes. This past season, I hunted mostly open water, in sometimes larger waves than I really like. The boat never took on alot of water, but I could use higher sides. I am thinking of building sometype of bolt on sides to make the boat look similar to a TDB.
Anybody have any thoughts?
Has anyone ever made a "topper" for the boat? Here is what I am thinking about. When I started building this boat, I was planning on hunt mostly small to mid size lakes. This past season, I hunted mostly open water, in sometimes larger waves than I really like. The boat never took on alot of water, but I could use higher sides. I am thinking of building sometype of bolt on sides to make the boat look similar to a TDB.
Anybody have any thoughts?
Add a soft/rigid blind to the boat. Then you have the best of both worlds. It'll protect you from splashing, and, you'll be able to use it when you want to cancel like crazy.
Morton and I went under a bridge the other day and we took the blind down, we barely made it underneath, but we did -- motored up the river a half a mile and got into a place with no other hunters. The problem was - there were no ducks
I'll try to post what I'm talking about -- Dave built it in his shop in NY.
Morton and I went under a bridge the other day and we took the blind down, we barely made it underneath, but we did -- motored up the river a half a mile and got into a place with no other hunters. The problem was - there were no ducks
I'll try to post what I'm talking about -- Dave built it in his shop in NY.
John Robinson
Well-known member
I've been hemming and hawing between the Scaup and Snow Goose for my duck boat project this spring. My buddy and I built a Snow Gosse for him a couple years ago and it is perfect for our hunting. I spoke with Sam Devlin and he talked me into the Scaup with the aft transome for something different. The boats are about the same size with similar sized cockpits, the main difference is the Scaup is lower profile and a little more pointy shaped.
Adding a couple of inches to the gunnels might be a good compromise, more than four inches and you might as well build a Snow Goose. I have to think about this. BTW Devlin recommended placing the motor mount transome at the back of the boat for a little more room and boyancy, I mentioned this to Eric and he thought it might also be because some guys were having difficulty adjusting their motor mount so as to avoid getting motor spray in the boat.
Adding a couple of inches to the gunnels might be a good compromise, more than four inches and you might as well build a Snow Goose. I have to think about this. BTW Devlin recommended placing the motor mount transome at the back of the boat for a little more room and boyancy, I mentioned this to Eric and he thought it might also be because some guys were having difficulty adjusting their motor mount so as to avoid getting motor spray in the boat.
Morton and I went hunting - actually it was more like going to a coffee shop that welcomes labs as there were ZERO ducks flying. But there were ZERO humans around which is unusual in our state. We solved all of the world's problems so it wasn't a total loss.
This is a "why I love my boat" post so if you are sick of hearing it, leave now ; )
We sat sideways in the boat as the boat was snugged up against the bank... I intentionally didn't put shelves on the sides as I wanted plenty of foot room and the shelves are in the bow covered by the dodger anyway. I carry my cheap deeks in bags which fit under the dodger while underway. The boat is very stable sitting sideways and it's like sitting in a living room, albeit a very small living room.
The hulls and therefore performance are similar. The Snow Goose offers a more bulbous bow and slightly higher sides than the Scaup. Don't change the basic design as it's perfect. Once our season gets underway (i.e. cold enough so the riff raff stays home), I'll post pics.
This is a "why I love my boat" post so if you are sick of hearing it, leave now ; )
We sat sideways in the boat as the boat was snugged up against the bank... I intentionally didn't put shelves on the sides as I wanted plenty of foot room and the shelves are in the bow covered by the dodger anyway. I carry my cheap deeks in bags which fit under the dodger while underway. The boat is very stable sitting sideways and it's like sitting in a living room, albeit a very small living room.
The hulls and therefore performance are similar. The Snow Goose offers a more bulbous bow and slightly higher sides than the Scaup. Don't change the basic design as it's perfect. Once our season gets underway (i.e. cold enough so the riff raff stays home), I'll post pics.
Bradley Carleton
Member
OK I am going to "out" my hunting partner. Why are you just lurking and not helping these guys out? You've got one of the nicest scaups on this forum and you never even chime in! Andrew and Morton, you KNOW who I'm calling out!
John Robinson
Well-known member
Andrew,
Is it the Scaup or Snow Goose that you love so much? There were post earlier in this thread talking about adding 4" in height to the Scaup, I was thinking maybe 2", but are you recommending against any such changes? Do you sit on the floor of the boat or elevated on stools?
Thanks,
John
Is it the Scaup or Snow Goose that you love so much? There were post earlier in this thread talking about adding 4" in height to the Scaup, I was thinking maybe 2", but are you recommending against any such changes? Do you sit on the floor of the boat or elevated on stools?
Thanks,
John
Dave M
Well-known member
Don't know to much about the Scaup other than what Eric B has said , his boat is awesome , in fact it was the 1st Devlin designed boat i had ever been in . Andrew and i ventured into "the duckboat building world" pretty much at the same time , he went with a 1st class Snow Goose which hunts 2 guys with 2 dogs pretty comfortably i went with the smaller of the Garvey series the Cackler , I love all 3 boats Scaup, Snow Goose and the Cackler i always remember that some guys had problems on the scaups with the motor hitting the sponsons in the rear while turning hard , the other thing was water washing in the stern from the motor turbulation . On the Snow Goose & Cackler Andrew and i went with a conventional transom design . I hope some of this helps sorry to be long winded but i had to add the Andrew's post , it would be hell if i did not post to confirm what he says because he is also my favortie hunting partner . God luck enjoy the build !
Dave
Dave
John, sorry, it's the Snow Goose design that I built (and love so much ; )
Yes, I am recommending against adding height. I would strongly suggest a soft/pipe blind around the boat TDB style - it provides more security out there and can be taken down easily for those situations where you want to blend in with the stream bank.
I have a blind and I sit in comfy chairs that cost me all of $10/each from Walopoly. It's comfortable and ever since I figured out my camo program the birds don't know we're even there.
There are mods that I made to the boat - but I did not change the general hull at all. I have several pics on my other computer (200 miles away). Meanwhile, you can see some pics on Sam's site I think under "homebuilt designs" or something like that.
Very important to get a 40 hp as discussed in another string - anything else is just plain unsafe in tough conditions, the motor is an important safety tool in the snotty stuff.
Good luck.
Yes, I am recommending against adding height. I would strongly suggest a soft/pipe blind around the boat TDB style - it provides more security out there and can be taken down easily for those situations where you want to blend in with the stream bank.
I have a blind and I sit in comfy chairs that cost me all of $10/each from Walopoly. It's comfortable and ever since I figured out my camo program the birds don't know we're even there.
There are mods that I made to the boat - but I did not change the general hull at all. I have several pics on my other computer (200 miles away). Meanwhile, you can see some pics on Sam's site I think under "homebuilt designs" or something like that.
Very important to get a 40 hp as discussed in another string - anything else is just plain unsafe in tough conditions, the motor is an important safety tool in the snotty stuff.
Good luck.
Eric Baggesen
New member
I have a canvas dodger and sides on my Scaup. I added these to make the boat more seaworthy and provide protection. The dodger also works perfectly to hang onto when running the boat standing up, which is what I always do. The dodger would likely not help if you completely buried the bow but I think you'd really have to work hard to make that happen. The whole arrangement can be folded down by simply pulling two pins and unclipping two bungie cords. This brings the boat back to the easy to hide, low freeboard original configuration. Before I'd raise the sides and deck of a Scaup, I'd think about building one of the other designs. If I can find any pics I'll post them.
John Robinson
Well-known member
Andrew,
Thanks for the reply. As I've said on other threads, my hunting buddy and I built a Snow Goose which he owns but we both hunt out of, a few years ago. My problem is that I don't always hunt with him, sometimes he's out of town and the boat isn't available, or I might want to take another friend hunting. So this year the wife gave me the go-ahead to build myself a duck boat. She did this more because she loves our dogs, but whatever, I get to build a boat!
The only reason I'm leaning toward the Scaup is to build something a little different and give ourselves a little versatilty. I would be very happy with another Snow Goose though. I wish I had more time, money and space, I'd build a Bluebill, Broadbill III and Snow Goose.
Eric, please post pictures of your collapsible boat blind. I like the one we devised for our Snow Goose, but its rather bulky when its rolled up for travel, no way we could maneuver with it up. Also, did you ever talk to Judy Rassmussen about breeding Cassie to one of her dogs?
Thanks,
John
Thanks for the reply. As I've said on other threads, my hunting buddy and I built a Snow Goose which he owns but we both hunt out of, a few years ago. My problem is that I don't always hunt with him, sometimes he's out of town and the boat isn't available, or I might want to take another friend hunting. So this year the wife gave me the go-ahead to build myself a duck boat. She did this more because she loves our dogs, but whatever, I get to build a boat!
The only reason I'm leaning toward the Scaup is to build something a little different and give ourselves a little versatilty. I would be very happy with another Snow Goose though. I wish I had more time, money and space, I'd build a Bluebill, Broadbill III and Snow Goose.
Eric, please post pictures of your collapsible boat blind. I like the one we devised for our Snow Goose, but its rather bulky when its rolled up for travel, no way we could maneuver with it up. Also, did you ever talk to Judy Rassmussen about breeding Cassie to one of her dogs?
Thanks,
John
Eric Baggesen
New member
Hey Andrew ... its time you built a Scaup to add to your fleet. Here's a couple of photos I found. The beauty of the Scaup is when it comes time to hide to boat.
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