Do it all boat?

N

Nate H

New member
Hi all, I have been searching for the “perfect” boat for a long time. I am beginning to think a Grumman sport boat may be the answer, but I would like some other opinions from folks here to see if I am missing something. I hunt many lakes with carry in only accesses, so a lighter boat is important. I hunt lakes that don’t allow the use of motors, lakes with a 10hp restriction, and lakes with no motor restrictions. Frequently hunt by myself, or with one or two other people and a dog. Usually 3 doz decoys and all the other gear. Some of the lakes with no motor restrictions are rice lakes so push poling is a necessity for access.

Here are the boxes the boat needs to check:
- fit 2-3 people, gear and a dog
- can be paddled or push poled
- has a place to mount a 5-10hp long tail, or something can be installed for it
- ideally less than 100lbs so it can be carried in

I know I can get 3-4 boats that can do each of these things well, but space is limited and I would prefer to avoid such an investment. I use a Carsten mallard now, and it’s on the upper limit for carry in weight, probably need a cart.

Is a Grumman sport boat the best option here? Am I missing something?
 
I think you are looking at two boats to get all this done.
One for no-motor lakes and one for lakes you can use a motor.
Taking a look at the specs for a Sportboat, the max capacity is #450. So I'd say three guys, dog and gear is a out of the question.

Jeff Reardon

Thread 'Grumman Sport Boat--HP recommendation?'

I am seriously considering purchasing a Grumman Sportboat from a friend who is selling one at a fair price. Need to factor in an outboard purchase to go along with it--I know my 15 hp is too large. This is a late 60's edition, pre addition of side floatation, and I think they were originally sold with a 6 or 8 hp max rating. I see a lot of them being run with 9.9's, too. I'm looking for as light and cheap as possible, which means a 6 or 8. I found old threads here about using them with mud motors or long tails, but I'd probably stick with a standard OB. Experience on how they go...
 
I can't think of a single boat that will carry 2-3 people, dog and gear, accepts a motor and weighs less than 100lbs. The Grumman weighs over 100lbs and has a capacity of 450lbs. That would be 2-3 very light weight people, gear, motor, fuel, and dog.

By comparison, your Carsten is 22lbs lighter and has a capacity that is 50lbs more than the Grumman. On paper, less the engine requirement, the Carsten is a better fit.
 
Carl said:
I think you are looking at two boats to get all this done.
One for no-motor lakes and one for lakes you can use a motor.
Taking a look at the specs for a Sportboat, the max capacity is #450. So I'd say three guys, dog and gear is a out of the question.

Jeff Reardon

Thread 'Grumman Sport Boat--HP recommendation?'

I am seriously considering purchasing a Grumman Sportboat from a friend who is selling one at a fair price. Need to factor in an outboard purchase to go along with it--I know my 15 hp is too large. This is a late 60's edition, pre addition of side floatation, and I think they were originally sold with a 6 or 8 hp max rating. I see a lot of them being run with 9.9's, too. I'm looking for as light and cheap as possible, which means a 6 or 8. I found old threads here about using them with mud motors or long tails, but I'd probably stick with a standard OB. Experience on how they go...
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Posted while I was typing! Lol.
 
I have boats with no motors that I can carry and boats with motors that I need to launch at a ramp. Those are the 2 directions I went years ago. It is hard to find one boat that will do everything you are wanting to do.
 
ChadW said:
I can't think of a single boat that will carry 2-3 people, dog and gear, accepts a motor and weighs less than 100lbs. The Grumman weighs over 100lbs and has a capacity of 450lbs. That would be 2-3 very light weight people, gear, motor, fuel, and dog.

By comparison, your Carsten is 22lbs lighter and has a capacity that is 50lbs more than the Grumman. On paper, less the engine requirement, the Carsten is a better fit.
Click to expand...
For discussions sake, let’s remove the thought of 3 people. I will say though that the old style of sport boats had an 1100lb capacity. I’m not sure why the newer versions list such a light capacity to be honest.

RM Anderson said:
Nate,
Only one boat comes to mind. A Devlin Poleboat with a square stern. RM
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Interesting thought. I’ll look into that.

noweil Mike said:
I have boats with no motors that I can carry and boats with motors that I need to launch at a ramp. Those are the 2 directions I went years ago. It is hard to find one boat that will do everything you are wanting to do.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree. The one issue is many lakes here have carry in access yet will allow motors. Most carries are relatively short, although some have some decent hills. While a motor isn’t necessary, some of the paddles can push a mile.
 
I'm a big Sportboat fan, but comments above are spot on. It's good when I'm solo, OK with two and a light load, and would be overloaded with two and a dog and some decoys. Three people would be severely overloaded. Not saying people don't do it--just that it's not wise.
 
Nate H said:
Hi all, I have been searching for the “perfect” boat for a long time. I am beginning to think a Grumman sport boat may be the answer, but I would like some other opinions from folks here to see if I am missing something. I hunt many lakes with carry in only accesses, so a lighter boat is important. I hunt lakes that don’t allow the use of motors, lakes with a 10hp restriction, and lakes with no motor restrictions. Frequently hunt by myself, or with one or two other people and a dog. Usually 3 doz decoys and all the other gear. Some of the lakes with no motor restrictions are rice lakes so push poling is a necessity for access.

Here are the boxes the boat needs to check:
- fit 2-3 people, gear and a dog
- can be paddled or push poled
- has a place to mount a 5-10hp long tail, or something can be installed for it
- ideally less than 100lbs so it can be carried in

I know I can get 3-4 boats that can do each of these things well, but space is limited and I would prefer to avoid such an investment. I use a Carsten mallard now, and it’s on the upper limit for carry in weight, probably need a cart.

Is a Grumman sport boat the best option here? Am I missing something?
Click to expand...
I tried to find a singular boat to do all you require. I ended up with 4 boats. Just sold one and I am down to three. I now hunt solo most of the time and sold my boat that could have possibly hunted three and gear. I know have a 22 lb Poke Boat for pure carry in access. It is a solo kayak and can carry me, a chair, 2 dozen decoys, a hunting bag and my gun. I also have a 15' Hoefgen duck boat that can carry all the above and a second person. I built a mini mud motor from a weed whacker and can use the Hoefgen with or without a motor. It weighs 65 pounds. Third boat is a Lund Ducker. It can carry two people nad gear. It has a built in collapsible blind and is powered by a 7hp mud motor built from a kit.. this boat is used when I have a landing and have a ways to go to get to the hunting spot.

I know this doesn't help you but wanted you to know many of us have tried to do the same thing you are attempting and failed.

Mark
 
I've been watching this thread with interest. I'm not sure I can remember all the boats Ive gone through in the pursuit of ducks in the last 25 years. I do know at one time there were 7 boats in the yard. Today that number has dwindled down to my 16' Lund deep vee, 12' Grumman vee and a 17' Grumman canoe. In my area we have to be in a draw for a blind location managed by the DNR. With the Mississippi River so low I can't motor to the spot I was awarded. It's a nice looking spot through the binoculars with about 6" of water in a grassy area. I finally located a place I can motor to and with about 400ft of walk-in from the river but then I still have the issue of deploying decoys. With no bottom in the silt I'm either using my jetsled as a means to hold my weight or I'm again looking for another means. Anyone know the manufacturer of Amazon drones that drops packages?
 

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Ed L. said:
I've been watching this thread with interest. I'm not sure I can remember all the boats Ive gone through in the pursuit of ducks in the last 25 years. I do know at one time there were 7 boats in the yard. Today that number has dwindled down to my 16' Lund deep vee, 12' Grumman vee and a 17' Grumman canoe. In my area we have to be in a draw for a blind location managed by the DNR. With the Mississippi River so low I can't motor to the spot I was awarded. It's a nice looking spot through the binoculars with about 6" of water in a grassy area. I finally located a place I can motor to and with about 400ft of walk-in from the river but then I still have the issue of deploying decoys. With no bottom in the silt I'm either using my jetsled as a means to hold my weight or I'm again looking for another means. Anyone know the manufacturer of Amazon drones that drops packages?
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Zipline. Funny you asked that today, I couldn't have answered that 48 hours ago. But currently on the road back from Texas to NC and stayed Sunday night at the La Quinta in Waxahachie, TX. Turns out that is one of the 6 Walmart drone stations in the country right now, and it was maybe 100 yards from the hotel. I stood mesmerized for about 30 minutes watching them take off and return and dock.

Super cool, but could be a little out of price range for a duck blind support tool. Now, if there was a Walmart or Amazon distribution site with drones close enough to your blind (6 mile radius I think), you could buy decoys to be delivered there. Or in a blind emergency, have toilet paper delivered within 30 minutes. 🤣
 
While I generally fall on the side of those who suspect one boat to do it all in this case will be difficult to identify, perhaps one thought may be helpful for the carrying in part.

I’ve got a Duck Boss 13, while it can’t handle 3 it does afford a bit more space than the mallard. When the motor is removed it’s a pretty light boat - not light enough to carry - but still pretty light. As an emergency backup, I sized the oarlocks to fit into the mounts for my canvas blind. I’ve paddled it with the motor on, and so I know it can be paddled relatively well with it off (though no skeg so some I hope I don’t have to go too far). I’ve seen some sailors use a roll on trailer, where their dolly simply rolls up and onto the trailer. Not sure if this is too “creative” of a workaround of the carry in component, but something to consider. A comparably sized boat on a dolly is very manageable for one person, especially if the motor is removed.

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