Duck-toon

Ed L.

Ed L.

Well-known member
As some here know I've managed to try many different boats over the years for marsh hunting. I've had canoes, Aquapods, MoMarsh, Carstens and Fiberdome products. Well, in my quest for that perfect marsh boat I have yet another to try this year. I've assembled the bliind from a Ameristep Wingershoot blind to a Venture Outdoors pontoon.







Still needs some tweaking but coming in at 67 lbs. it's light weight easy to get to those out of the way spots others can't get to. I have a motor mount/battery box for it for those longer treks. Teal season is in a few of weeks so we'll see how it goes in a warm weather situation. I'll be using this in shallow and sheltered locations so hopefully I'll have handling this craft down before the water turns cold and I make the wrong move.
 
That is really nice, Ed. I think you will do well with it. I knew a young man in eastern New Mexico who used one similar to that and he loved it. He was hunting the playas with it.
Al
 
That looks great Ed. Always wanted to try that very setup, will be interested to hear how it works for you. Aside from the electric motor, it appears yours is a kick-propelled model, or are there oarlock holders I missed?
 
That looks great Ed. Always wanted to try that very setup, will be interested to hear how it works for you. Aside from the electric motor, it appears yours is a kick-propelled model, or are there oarlock holders I missed?
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Yep, a little hard to see the oarlock sleeves in the first photo. The pontoon came with aluminum oars that I might add are very well constructed. They even thought ahead and added spring clips to the oar locks so the oar can't accidently come out of the oarlock sleeves. The frame is all very nicely welded aluminum and the roto molded pontoons have 6" waterproof access ports if you want to use the pontoon for a little storage.
 
Neat idea Ed, have you had it in the water yet? Getting in and out a problem? Looks like your dog is embarassed or maybe he realizes there is no dog box on it:)
 
Neat idea Ed, have you had it in the water yet? Getting in and out a problem? Looks like your dog is embarassed or maybe he realizes there is no dog box on it:)
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Yeah, I think Lucy gets it. I may have to rig up a decoy sled and pull her along like Dani does for her Black dog....LOL

So far getting in and out in the livingroom is pretty easy. Sit down, grab the blind and swing it over my head....LOL. It was pretty comfortable sitting in it watching the Bears game last night.

I plan to put it in the water this weekend. I've got some things to iron out to make sure my gun or gear bag doesn't end up on the bottom of the marsh and I want to shoot out it when I'm in 8" of water rather than 3' or more. The seat doesn't swivel so I'll have to mess with where to set the trolling motor so I can reach and operate. All and all I think this can be effective once I'm comfortable and get some things locked down. The tubes are the same size as used on an ATV so I'm looking at how I can either attach a ATV gun rack or maybe the Velcro type fishing rod straps or something as simple as a couple of bungy cords so I can lock my gun and my blind bag to the pontoon while underway. The fewer things I have to make quick reactions to will make the pontoon that much more safe. And of course never leave home without a PFD.
 
That's pretty slick and looks comfortable.

Total materials cost ?
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The blind is a factory blind that attached to a bag type chair. I removed it from the chair and attached it to the pontoon. $149 when I bought the chair a couple of years ago and $529 for the pontoon. Kind of pricey but aren't most hobbies pricey? I actually got the idea from Beavertail. I like the pontoon much better than the Stealth boats and much less expensive to boot.

http://www.explorebeavertail.com/instructions/StealthBoatBlind.pdf
 
Ed,

I have a pontoon which is a bit different than yours. Each year I think about using it for duck hunting but have never gotten around to acutally doing it. The photo is from back in '05 when Aspen and I floated the Embarrass in Alberta, back when we both were a bit lighter. She loves riding on it and until arthritis reared it's ugly head spent half her time walking around the tubes. She really enjoys white water. We made a deal that we would go through half of the rapids back wards so she could have the front seat 50% of the time.

View attachment aspen_toon.jpg

I look forward to hearing how it the toon works for you this year.

My best,

Don
 
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We made a deal that we would go through half of the rapids back wards so she could have the front seat 50% of the time.
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Don,

I can't decide if Aspen is just spoiled or if that is your story to cover for your lack of pontoon handling skills. ;>) ;>)
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Dave,

When going through whitewater backwards she is spoiled. When going through it sideways it is my lack of skill on the sticks. :)
 
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