Good bad and ugly year

[anthony m coons sr]

First of all Bad and Ugly go together this year. We lost so many wonderful people to this nasty virus. So many people got ill from it. People lost their homes and jobs. But there was lots of good in this year also. People on the front lines stood their ground and battled the virus everyday. Good people ! looked out for people that were in need . Feed them and helped them the best they knew how. True heroes and God Bless all of them.

But other good things happen to each of us. Small thing to others but maybe big to us. Not trying to down play the real world or the loss of man. But I had some good things happen this year. And I had some not so good things. But my problems are nothing but a small thing in the big picture of life these days. So I am going to share some nice things. First of all I brought back to life a old time hunting boat. A clam boat I bought yeas ago and sunk it twice before. This year I got her patched up and floated HER out on the Hudson and left it out for many weeks. Took on a bunch of water but I think it was from all the rain and high winds we had this fall -winter. Second of all a great opening day of duck season with my son. I shared that with many of you. Ducks flying from day break until we left at almost dark. Never enjoyed myself more duck hunting. And if you read some of my post you know I had many great days out there. Shot a nice eight pointer with my son. Wanted him to shoot it but he couldn't get a good enough shot. He couldn't stop telling me what a great shot dad. And this was with a slug gun. He was so happy for me. I could of cared less with all the deer I have shot. Another great day was with my son watching his dog go into the water and a boat for the first time. And seeing how my son started training his yellow Lab. And how much love he had for him. He a man at twenty eight and he been hunting since he was a little boy. But I think now he really loves it like I do. Staying inside all these months have drove most of us nuts. But getting outside on the Water or in the wood for me was like being in heaven. Great holidays with my family and good times with my friends. Know that people care about you calling and checking up on you is a wonderful feeling. So some good came out of this year. I hope you all had some good days you can be proud to talk about. Losing love ones is very painful, Seeing people sick sinks. Seeing friends lose everything sucks. But if we can find some happiness through all this pain. Then I really think we will make it through this. Lets hope the Bad and the Ugly is almost gone . And the GOOD will be the new norm for the new year. God Bless

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[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Anthony~


Good for you and your family!


Question: Where'd the clam boat come from? It looks like a low-sided garvey. Dead-flat bottom?


All the best,


SJS

 

[anthony m coons sr]

Steve

The clam boat came from Long Island I think. My friend bought it years ago and turned it into a floating camp. Then about fifteen years ago I turned it into a hunting blind and camp. Then it sunk when two big ships threw giant wave over it turning the boat. Then after turning the ways came over the low back end of the boat. The next morning I went out hunting and drove right over the top of it. Never thinking it would of sunk. Then My friend and I rebuild the whole inside. Cutting out a giant window that flips down to hunt from inside. And built a blind on the back end to hunt outside. It is flat on the bottom and floats in some really low water. I use to have a 85 horse merc on it. But I sold it because it was worth having it on adding weight and also. I leave it out for most of the season when I do use it. Motor was a pain to start after sitting for a few weeks. But was a bear when it ran. The boat is so easy to tow with my outlaw pro 18. Its nice to stop and get a good hot meat off of it and be inside while your cooking it. I park it on land during deer season and kill many deer off it over the years. Use it for a turkey blind in the Spring when its on the trailer. Can't really use it without my son or one of my younger friends anymore. Putting the heavy anchors out is a problem for me with my health problems. This year was the first time in a few years I left it out. She took on some water from the heavy rain and the high winds we had in the late fall. But she pumped out without any trouble. So it was a great year for her. Thanks as always my friend. Hope you have a great 2021.

 

[MLBob Furia]

[size 4] Hey Anthony,

In looking at the pics in your post, I got to wondering if the fourth picture of the boat with the molded top is of one of the "Outlaw" boats produced by Jim Cripe and his then Outlaw boat & decoy company.
As I recall, they were the subject of some litigation regarding the boats themselves, and the manufacturer of the gas tank fill cap, back in the 90's when one of them flipped in Saginaw Bay and 4 hunters were lost.

Is the boat pictured still in service?

 

[anthony m coons sr]

MLBob

I have had my outlaw Pro 18 for over twenty years. Got it in 2000 been all over the place with it. Use it all year round, Been in some really ruff water and some pretty bad snow storms with it. From the day I put it in the water to today I love it and always have. There were problems with the boat and that is true. But If you looked into every boat company. I will bet you they had many problems along the way. And your also correct about those poor hunters that lost their lives. But truth be told! the weather was nasty and small crafts shouldn't of been out on the water. Many people are lost every year in boats of all shapes and sizes. Outlaw should of never said their boats were unsinkable. And people have to know some times its not safe to go out on the water. I can only speak for me and my outlaw. I love it as much as I loved it twenty plus years ago. Still have the same trailer. Different engine then the one it first came with. Lost one of the roof tops. My brother for got to pin it down and it knock me out going down river years ago. But I been to the TDB factory when it was like a old chicken coup(get boats but for a big man hard to get into). Before I got the outlaw. So I did my home work! way back then. People that I have chatted with over the years that have outlaws. They loved them also. Hope this helped my friend ,Happy New Year to you and yours.
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