I have an opportunity to purchase a used Hoefgen duck boat for $800. It appears to be in good shape with all the misc. extra gear (i.e. kayak paddle, push pole, camo., flooring and racks). Was wondering what some of you think of this deal and this boat for doing some marsh and river hunting. It was purchased by the previous owner in the early 90's was there ever a change in the manufacturing process of these boats that would change the quality or sea worthiness of the fiberglass after 15 years? thanks in advance.
Hoefgen duck boat opinions
- Thread starter phillips
- Start date
Mark Rongers
Active member
Dear Phillips,
From the Hoefgen duck boats I have seen, they are without a doubt, some of the finest skiffs ever built. I have never owned on, but I know several people who do. Every one of them are extremely happy with their duck boat.
I am not aware of any manufacturing changes in the Hoefgen line. All that is ever shared is their high quality standards, and the excellent performance of the boats.
Lastly, for that price, if the boat is sound, buy it. By my estimation, you won't be sorry.
God Bless!
Mark Rongers
From the Hoefgen duck boats I have seen, they are without a doubt, some of the finest skiffs ever built. I have never owned on, but I know several people who do. Every one of them are extremely happy with their duck boat.
I am not aware of any manufacturing changes in the Hoefgen line. All that is ever shared is their high quality standards, and the excellent performance of the boats.
Lastly, for that price, if the boat is sound, buy it. By my estimation, you won't be sorry.
God Bless!
Mark Rongers
Mark W
Well-known member
I have a Hoefgen and have had it for many years. I love the boat and use it only to hunt very small streams and ponds where I can't get my bigger boat into. I have actually started a couple of years back to scout areas where the only boat that can be used is the Hoefgen. I tend to prefer to hunt where others don't and this boat allows me to do so.
The boat tracks and paddles very well. I tend to sit on the rear deck and use a very long kayak paddle to get the boat around. I found this is easier than using a push pole The boat is also very stable and I have only felt as though I would tip once when I got caught sideways in a fallen tree when going down river. This was more my fault than the boats however.
The boat will handle two people plus all the gear to hunt for a day. I would not hunt two people out of the boat as I think that would be unsafe to do so (swingin shotguns would be a challenge to control). I have had 2 people, hunting gear, and a couple of dozen dekes bungeed to the deck (you will want to add a couple of pad eyes to the cowling to hook bungee cords to) and not felt unsafe. It was not the most comfotable ride down the river to the hunting spot but it worked.
While the boat only weighs 65 pounds, the weight is awkward to get onto the top of a vehicle. With the cowling that this boat has, it is difficult to get the boat over you head as the weigh wits out from where you can grab onto the boat. It is not nearly as easy as hoisting a canoe as with a canoe you can grab the gunnels and get the weight to work with you, with the Hoefgen this is harder to do. This is the only thing that I do not like about the boat. The boat, at 15' does not fit too well in the back of a pick-up bed and if you plan to hunt amll streams like I do, a trailer isn't a practical option.
$800 bucks to me sounds steep. I bought mine in 97-98 (I think) and it only cost me about $900 with a kayak paddle, a car top carry kit and delivery to Green Bay Wi. I also know that they no longer make these boats and that the molds were not purchased by anyone else. These are a popular boat and they are geting harder to find on the used market.
Funny story when I bought mine. I live in the Twin Cities and actually had business near Green Bay. I had some co-workers with me and the Hoefgen folks met me at the hotel we were staying in. I had no place to put the boat and I sure didn't want to leave it outside. So what did I do, I brought it into the room with me. Somehow I scored a suite so I put the boat in the living room, got a 6 pack of beer, sat in the boat and watched tv that night. Right then and there I knew this was a boat I was going to like. Then, to follow this up, I was headed to Surgeon Bay to Palmer Johnson's Yachts as I had some work to do on the LaBaroness. On the way up I get pulled over by a cop for whatever reason I can't figure out. He walks up to the car and asks if I knew why he was pulling me over. For the life of me I couldn't and I told him so. Cop ooks at me and tells me he is an avid duck hunter and has been looking for a marsh boat like this forever. He wanted to know where I got it. Too funny. I finally get to Palmer Johnson's and pull up to the gate. Guard asks me my business and I tell him I'm here to deliver the tender for the $25MM yacht. Guy looks at me like I'm from Mars and lets me pass.
Funny weekend all in all.
I have lots of pictures on the Hoefgen in action and have some picture of the flip top blind I've built for the thing so if you are interested, let me know and I'll send them to you.
Mark W
The boat tracks and paddles very well. I tend to sit on the rear deck and use a very long kayak paddle to get the boat around. I found this is easier than using a push pole The boat is also very stable and I have only felt as though I would tip once when I got caught sideways in a fallen tree when going down river. This was more my fault than the boats however.
The boat will handle two people plus all the gear to hunt for a day. I would not hunt two people out of the boat as I think that would be unsafe to do so (swingin shotguns would be a challenge to control). I have had 2 people, hunting gear, and a couple of dozen dekes bungeed to the deck (you will want to add a couple of pad eyes to the cowling to hook bungee cords to) and not felt unsafe. It was not the most comfotable ride down the river to the hunting spot but it worked.
While the boat only weighs 65 pounds, the weight is awkward to get onto the top of a vehicle. With the cowling that this boat has, it is difficult to get the boat over you head as the weigh wits out from where you can grab onto the boat. It is not nearly as easy as hoisting a canoe as with a canoe you can grab the gunnels and get the weight to work with you, with the Hoefgen this is harder to do. This is the only thing that I do not like about the boat. The boat, at 15' does not fit too well in the back of a pick-up bed and if you plan to hunt amll streams like I do, a trailer isn't a practical option.
$800 bucks to me sounds steep. I bought mine in 97-98 (I think) and it only cost me about $900 with a kayak paddle, a car top carry kit and delivery to Green Bay Wi. I also know that they no longer make these boats and that the molds were not purchased by anyone else. These are a popular boat and they are geting harder to find on the used market.
Funny story when I bought mine. I live in the Twin Cities and actually had business near Green Bay. I had some co-workers with me and the Hoefgen folks met me at the hotel we were staying in. I had no place to put the boat and I sure didn't want to leave it outside. So what did I do, I brought it into the room with me. Somehow I scored a suite so I put the boat in the living room, got a 6 pack of beer, sat in the boat and watched tv that night. Right then and there I knew this was a boat I was going to like. Then, to follow this up, I was headed to Surgeon Bay to Palmer Johnson's Yachts as I had some work to do on the LaBaroness. On the way up I get pulled over by a cop for whatever reason I can't figure out. He walks up to the car and asks if I knew why he was pulling me over. For the life of me I couldn't and I told him so. Cop ooks at me and tells me he is an avid duck hunter and has been looking for a marsh boat like this forever. He wanted to know where I got it. Too funny. I finally get to Palmer Johnson's and pull up to the gate. Guard asks me my business and I tell him I'm here to deliver the tender for the $25MM yacht. Guy looks at me like I'm from Mars and lets me pass.
Funny weekend all in all.
I have lots of pictures on the Hoefgen in action and have some picture of the flip top blind I've built for the thing so if you are interested, let me know and I'll send them to you.
Mark W
thank you for the great reply and story. Sounds like some good memories. I will have to think about the purchase.
Today I found a local guy selling his Momarsh fatboy DP that was only used a couple of times for the same price $800. this would come with a transom mount and blind. he is also selling a 6.5 hp Scavenger mud motor for $800 or both together for $1500. This seems like a good boat as well and both are new. Any thoughts or anybody have a setup like this just wondering about the stability?
Today I found a local guy selling his Momarsh fatboy DP that was only used a couple of times for the same price $800. this would come with a transom mount and blind. he is also selling a 6.5 hp Scavenger mud motor for $800 or both together for $1500. This seems like a good boat as well and both are new. Any thoughts or anybody have a setup like this just wondering about the stability?
Mark W
Well-known member
That's a tough decision and the combo of the Fatboy with a Scavenger mud motor is about the only other rig I would consider to replace the Hoefgen. As a matter of fact, this is what I contemplated this summer was to do just what you mention.
The bad part about any boat that is used for river hunting is that eventually you have to go against the current. While the streams I currently hunt I can paddle most of the way upriver, it is not fun nor easy. I have mounted a bracket on the back of the Hoefgen to mount a 55lb electric motor. While this works going upstream, it is cumbersome as when you hit the real shallow areas, this combo is not a great solution. A mud motor of any type will not work on the Hoefgen as the weight would be too much in my opinion. Maybe it would work but I don't see it happening.
If you decide to not go with the Fatboy and mud motor, let me know would you? I amy be interested in adding to the fleet.
Holler if you have any other q's regarding the Hoefgen.
Mark W
The bad part about any boat that is used for river hunting is that eventually you have to go against the current. While the streams I currently hunt I can paddle most of the way upriver, it is not fun nor easy. I have mounted a bracket on the back of the Hoefgen to mount a 55lb electric motor. While this works going upstream, it is cumbersome as when you hit the real shallow areas, this combo is not a great solution. A mud motor of any type will not work on the Hoefgen as the weight would be too much in my opinion. Maybe it would work but I don't see it happening.
If you decide to not go with the Fatboy and mud motor, let me know would you? I amy be interested in adding to the fleet.
Holler if you have any other q's regarding the Hoefgen.
Mark W
ira
Active member
See if you can get this video to play. If you can it should answer your questions by and large. Dont forget that you would also have to factor in shipping on either boat. I dont know where you live but shipping and crating is another expense that make a used one in your area all the more valuable. I dont have experience with the HDB but have always heard good things about them.
Bret Daves would call me crazy for encouraging possible new boat business to buy used from a second party but that is a very good deal!
Here is the link.
http://www.momarsh.com/gallery/viewer.php?albid=1&stage=1&imgid=88&PHPSESSID=66a838ccb05c1354c11e3705034379cc
Not everyone can get it to play. I hope it works for you.
Bret Daves would call me crazy for encouraging possible new boat business to buy used from a second party but that is a very good deal!
Here is the link.
http://www.momarsh.com/gallery/viewer.php?albid=1&stage=1&imgid=88&PHPSESSID=66a838ccb05c1354c11e3705034379cc
Not everyone can get it to play. I hope it works for you.
Ryan Werden
Well-known member
That's a sweet setup Ira. If you ever need a NE Ohio pro staffer just give me a yell. I'll give you my address to ship that exact rig to and I'll begin REPRESENTIN straight away!! 
Ryan
Ryan
Steve Sutton
Well-known member
Had the same thing happen to me here in Washington while sitting on the side of the road scouting the Columbia....I'm facing into the incoming lane of traffic and half the truck is on the road, (lightly traveled road but still not what "should" be done), pair of FatBoys on the trailer.....
I look in the rearview and there's a police vehicle behind me....Great, now I get a ticket....Officer walks up and surprises me with the first question being....."who made that boat".....the Officer was Fred Slyfield who now poss on the site. Thats been (6) years ago now and Fred and I have become great friends.....we both got way more than a great boat out of that exchange....
I personally wouldn't consider using a mudmotor on a Hoefgen....its not what it was designed for and I'd suspect you'd be unhappy with the results......wait....heck...do it and afterwards, when you want to go to a boat betterr suited for that application, (can you say FATBOY), I'll take it off your hands for, ohhhhh say $400.00 or so.....
Steve
I look in the rearview and there's a police vehicle behind me....Great, now I get a ticket....Officer walks up and surprises me with the first question being....."who made that boat".....the Officer was Fred Slyfield who now poss on the site. Thats been (6) years ago now and Fred and I have become great friends.....we both got way more than a great boat out of that exchange....
I personally wouldn't consider using a mudmotor on a Hoefgen....its not what it was designed for and I'd suspect you'd be unhappy with the results......wait....heck...do it and afterwards, when you want to go to a boat betterr suited for that application, (can you say FATBOY), I'll take it off your hands for, ohhhhh say $400.00 or so.....
Steve
Mark W
Well-known member
Let's see, Steve has a PAIR of Fatboys and Mark has a Hoefgen he is considering parting with to purchase a boat he can put a mud motor on such as a Fatboy. Unless you are strapping a Fatboy onto each foot and using these as "walking on water" devices, I don't know why you would need two Fatboys.
I do love the boat I have. It would be the perfect boat if I could figure out a way to use something other than my ever decreasing strength to get back upriver after a days hunt. The electric motor works in some cases except where it gets really shallow and then that motor is a major pain in the arse to lift up and out of the way so that I can hand tow the boat until it is deep enough again. I'll have to look into removing the motor locking device so that it can kick up on it's own when it hits bottom. Maybe that will help.
Mark W
I do love the boat I have. It would be the perfect boat if I could figure out a way to use something other than my ever decreasing strength to get back upriver after a days hunt. The electric motor works in some cases except where it gets really shallow and then that motor is a major pain in the arse to lift up and out of the way so that I can hand tow the boat until it is deep enough again. I'll have to look into removing the motor locking device so that it can kick up on it's own when it hits bottom. Maybe that will help.
Mark W
Steve Sutton
Well-known member
one of them the original FatBoy with the square stern that I prefer when I'm using a small outboard and the other two DP's.....add that nifty 1890's wood double ender skiff that looks so much like a Hoefgen and I still often find myself short of boats....
When the nephews came last year and we wanted to marsh hunt I darn near ran out of boats and thats not something that I like to do.....
And besides you already know that I think the Hoefgen is the "sexiest" production duck boat made and that is enough, all by itself, to make me want one....
I do hear you on the "upstream" issue though....you just need to find a feeble minded, but well muscled, lackey who you can convince that the very nadir of waterfowling participation is to paddle his mentor upstream. Then you won't need a motor. Train him right and you can even convince him that he needs to walk downstream so that you don't have him in the boat during the actual hunting part of the day....Heck you go to China.....do an Angelina, adopt a likely candidate, (if for some reason you should decide that a girl baby is a the best candidate and she grows up to look like Lucy Lu you will forever be my hero), and bring the child home to America to a better life filled with boat lifting, boat paddling, and duck plucking.....
Or, if that won't work, when you get too feeble to paddle just ship me the Hoefgen and I'll give it a good home.
Steve
When the nephews came last year and we wanted to marsh hunt I darn near ran out of boats and thats not something that I like to do.....
And besides you already know that I think the Hoefgen is the "sexiest" production duck boat made and that is enough, all by itself, to make me want one....
I do hear you on the "upstream" issue though....you just need to find a feeble minded, but well muscled, lackey who you can convince that the very nadir of waterfowling participation is to paddle his mentor upstream. Then you won't need a motor. Train him right and you can even convince him that he needs to walk downstream so that you don't have him in the boat during the actual hunting part of the day....Heck you go to China.....do an Angelina, adopt a likely candidate, (if for some reason you should decide that a girl baby is a the best candidate and she grows up to look like Lucy Lu you will forever be my hero), and bring the child home to America to a better life filled with boat lifting, boat paddling, and duck plucking.....
Or, if that won't work, when you get too feeble to paddle just ship me the Hoefgen and I'll give it a good home.
Steve