Ducker project and more... REVISITED

[Jon Yenulonis]

Recently, my buddy Kevin Puls brought his Old Ducker over to my place for a little upgrading. (I think he was just a little jealous of my recent Zack Taylor Widgeon re-furbish). He decided to add a bit of a "dodger type Cordura, over head blind.


A couple things he was looking for included comfort, protection from the weather, a place for the dog to hide as well as hiding himself.

We started with a simple, two-bow aluminum frame. The bracket was fabricated from a piece of aluminum angle I had laying around. The bows were made from ridged, aluminum conduit, and a couple screws/washers/nuts.

After taking her home to "his shop" he continued with floor slats, a back rest and a doggie shelf. (these will all be eventually covered with some sort of foam padding.

He also added a simple oarlock of which was moved forward a bit for comfort.

Then off to the Mrs. for her sewing prowess.

Then for a complete change of pace, today, we brought out the paintbrush. (or more accurately, the HVLP sprayer).


First-the motor for the "big boat", or "War Wagon" as he refers to it.

Then, onto MY boat. A coat of Lou's FME on my Zack Taylor Widgeon Sneak Box.

I even managed to get a "feather" on her today- (although it was from a songbird of some type. I'm thinking a downy Woodpecker, maybe?)

I'll try to post up a few more as I/we finish. But for now-enjoy!


Jon

 

[Kevin Puls]

Thanks Jon for taki the time for the write-up, and thanks for all of your help.

The ducker is third generation Puls Family property.

It was purchased used by my grandfather and hunted hard on Lake Chatauqua in NY. It was used as a blind slide, a layout boat and float hunter.

I myself fished small-mouth extensively on that lake as a boy, fly rod and crawfish for bait.

After my grandparents passing, it came to Ohio. It was integral part in my best late teen memories of float hunting with the old man. Many a fine woodducks came home on the bow of the boat. In college we used it to haul too many people and too much gear accross lakes that were too big with waves that were too rough.

It is finding its next life this fall, reborn as a hybrid boat. More pics to come upon completion.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning Jon - and Kevin~

Great post! I have a couple of questions about both the Ducker and the Wigeon.

Ducker: Kevin's boat looks like what I have always thought of as a Ducker - a beamy. flat bottomed tin double-ender. (I foolishly passed up one from my Dad decades ago....) The 1959 Lund catalog published by Capt. Steiben ( http://www.lundboats.com/wp-content/uploads/catalogs/1959.pdf ) shows the Ducker as a transom-sterned boat. They do show a double-ender - the Retriever - but it has much taller coamings. Can you teach an Atlantic Tidewater guy more about these iconic Mississippi Flyway vessels?


Wigeon: Your boat is spectacular! So, I looked at Successful Waterfowling (certainly in my Pantheon of gunning books) again yesterday. With her upswept bottom (run) and vertical motor board, I am guessing she does not plane - but probably rows pretty well - and makes best use of a small (3 - 6 horse) OB? What has been your experience with her?

All the best,

SJS

 

[Brad Bortner]

Steve

Aren't they different manufacturers? Lund and Alumacraft? I don't have any experience with either craft.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Ahhh-hah.......bu of course!

More proof that I'm but a hopeless Atlantic Tidewater guy......

Thanks very much!

SJS

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

Steve,

You are absolutely correct. Rows like a dream, sluggish under power. Goes, but not very quickly or efficiently. Under power, the stern wants to sink, and her nose comes up. I have an older Evinrude 6 hp. that works just fine. It probably pushes her about 4-5 knots at WOT. Fast enough to get there, just takes extra time.

I am getting excited to get her out this fall. Unfortunately for where I live, the places where such a craft could be utilized are few and far between. I travel to the East Coast most every year, but she really isn't set up for salt and the corrosion that will go along with it.

I have her just about completed to my liking, and will be sure to post a few pics when I do.

Jon

 

[Kevin Puls]

Steve

Aren't they different manufacturers? Lund and Alumacraft? I don't have any experience with either craft.

You are correct. The ducker was made in the late 40's and into the 50's. I believe Lund's ducker of a different design was later.

 

[Mark W]

Alumacraft made the ducker as is pictured at the beginning of the thread and they made an open cockpit, square stern end version called the retriever. Lund made a boat called the Lund Ducker. Completely different boat from the Alumacraft Ducker. The Alumacraft retriever is a rare boat to find. Board member Ron Schuna owns own in great condition.


View attachment ducker1.jpg

Mark w

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

As of the moment, my buddy Kevin is having internet/computer issues, so he's asked me to update a bit.


First of the next steps. Here is some comfortable padding installed on the backboard. (I really like the headrest). Then on to adding a little fresh grass to the dodger.

But then what happens when one's five year old daughter says she wants to go too...
Ya make another, albeit, five year old size, backboard.

Can't beat a little anticipation smile!

Finally, on the water. Aww, a little Father/Daughter/Lucy selfie.

Trusty retriever "Lucy" looks a little bored. Must not be much action. Oh, and a little sweet snack doesn't hurt, either.

What a view. If only the birds would cooperate...

A little blood and feathers on the new rig. Not a duck, but in this instance a legal Moorhen will have to do. ( I have to admit, I can't ever recall seeing anyone actually harvest one of these birds).


Rumor has it, Kevin had to google the bird, then check the regulations before pulling the trigger...

All for now.


I'm sure Kevin will jump in and add any details I may have missed.


Jon

 

[Kevin Puls]

Thanks Jon. You were correct on all fronts. I have had some issues with pics and stuff and am down to my iPad at the moment.

You are correct, I had to do my due diligence before pulling the trigger. binoculars and a smart phone were necessary in this case. My daughter loved the bird, and played with it the whole way back. It is my first Moorhen and the experience was icing on the cake for my daughter.

Lucy looks really unimpressed with it in that picture....