I Am Content With My Fleet, But I Wish I Had Bought....

L

Larry Eckart

Well-known member
Guys and Dani,
I am 70. I have a Mad River Duck Hunter canoe and an Old Town 119. I have a 16' Lund Laker with a 30 hp Yammie two stroke on the back.

I am content with what I have. It fits what I need.

But I still look in FB Marketplace, just because it's fun to look.

I have had around 14 different boat combinations in my fleet over the years, including the MLB's version of a sneakbox, the Wigeon. I think my favorite boat was the Hoefgen Duck Boat. So sweet to paddle. So easy to hide. The cowl allowed waved to roll off. For some reason, you could sneak on mallards in a creek and redhead on big water with that boat.

If I had to do it over again, the one boat I would have bought early on is the Grumman Sport Boat with a two stroke engine on the back. For duck hunting, float fishing, camping, solo or two people and a dog and gear, it is hard to beat. I've never been in one, but I trust all those guys who rave about them and trick them out. I don't think any group of guys trick out the GSB more than the duck hunters at Shiawasse Game Area in Michigan. Those brothers are specialists.

But I have no need for a GSB now. I like what I have and use them all for fishing, hunting and exploring. I have rarely, if ever, said it before, but I am content with what I have.

But I still like to look...!!

:)

Just this past week I saw a GSB nearby with a trailer and 6 hp Johnson for $1,500. What a deal! I thought about it, but said, "Nahh!"

Larry
 
Like yourself I don't need another boat. But also i,ll cruise mkt. place and other sites looking for a deal contemplating the places I could use it. More than likely the one i,m looking at needs work to some extent so that's also rolling around up there. I guess I just can't stop looking for a project. Now if only someone would post up a TDB for about $1500 I might just find room for one more! Bad addiction.....
 
I don’t even have to look, people send me ads and pictures all the time. Occasionally thoughtful folks drop off well worn duckboats in my yard! I’ve gotten better about moving things along now though.
If I ever see a really good deal on a sport boat I’ll buy it….. what a phenomenal multi purpose machine! I see them for sale regularly but they are expensive!

Last fall I found myself using my ascend H12 kayak almost exclusively. It’s a duck killing machine!
 
roy brewington said:
Like yourself I don't need another boat. But also i,ll cruise mkt. place and other sites looking for a deal contemplating the places I could use it. More than likely the one i,m looking at needs work to some extent so that's also rolling around up there. I guess I just can't stop looking for a project. Now if only someone would post up a TDB for about $1500 I might just find room for one more! Bad addiction.....
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Deals are out there! I would say Facebook Marketplace is the main artery to that route though as it's the easiest platform around. Found many treasures! Even a $2,500 TDB 14 Classic! ;)
 
I have a 16 foot Tracker Waterfowl edition with a new 4 stroke 20hp and custom blind. I have a 12 foot Starcraft V with a custom blind and a Amazon 4hp 2 stroke and electric trolling motor. I have 12 & 14 Sportpal's camo-ed and a Yak-Gear blind for the 14 footer (it is a square stern with trolling motor). I have a UFO layout boat and a Pelican XP 100 fishing kayak. Oh and another 14 foot Sportpal doulbe ended canoe.

I look at facebook market place and every duck forum for sale EVERYDAY!!! I did sell a H-12 with Northern Flight blind to a buddy that really wanted it. I regret selling it now LOL. I have a slight problem with duck boats. I want a BBSB and a Water Feather. I also have always secretly wanted a TDB 14.

2 years ago I sold a Hyro Yacht 17 SWAT boat with a 50hp to a buddy that still has it. I want it back too. LOL.

Oh and a Duckwater Mini Me is also on the wish list.
 
I was content with my fleet for decades. The Devlin Black Brant and Broadbill sneakboxes I built were utilized to their fullest seeing myself and my son on many adventures and back home safe countless times. I cherish the memories created in them since 2000. But in the past several years my hunting has changed significantly. The local public areas I hunted with my Devlins have either stopped producing or now have access restrictions and regulations that I do not care for and will not be a part of. Our hunting has greatly transitioned away from these areas in favor of private land where we use the boats significantly less. Additionally, my son bought his own rig for running public waters in Arkansas. It has been several years since he took one of the Devlins hunting.

All this leaves me scratching my head as what my fleet should be moving forward. I struggle with the thought of selling my Devlins because of how much of myself I poured into them and all the memories of my son sitting next to me. But the reality is they only are taken out a time or two a year. I don't know what I'm going to do. I always planned to build a Cackler with Thomas but now think those plans will never come to fruition. We no longer hunt the water that is perfect for one.

I'm really struggling with this, and a whole lot of other things related to duck hunting.
 
Josh Jenson said:
I don’t even have to look, people send me ads and pictures all the time. Occasionally thoughtful folks drop off well worn duckboats in my yard! I’ve gotten better about moving things along now though.
If I ever see a really good deal on a sport boat I’ll buy it….. what a phenomenal multi purpose machine! I see them for sale regularly but they are expensive!

Last fall I found myself using my ascend H12 kayak almost exclusively. It’s a duck killing machine!
Click to expand...

I though the same thing about the H-12 until a got the 14 foot sportpal square stern with Yak-Gear blind. 30 pounds lighter, 3x the room and twice as easy to paddle. The H-12 paddles like a coal barge compared to the sportpal. I sold my H-12 last year cause I figured I would never use it again (but I miss seeing it in the building, lol).
 
Eric Patterson said:
I was content with my fleet for decades. The Devlin Black Brant and Broadbill sneakboxes I built were utilized to their fullest seeing myself and my son on many adventures and back home safe countless times. I cherish the memories created in them since 2000. But in the past several years my hunting has changed significantly. The local public areas I hunted with my Devlins have either stopped producing or now have access restrictions and regulations that I do not care for and will not be a part of. Our hunting has greatly transitioned away from these areas in favor of private land where we use the boats significantly less. Additionally, my son bought his own rig for running public waters in Arkansas. It has been several years since he took one of the Devlins hunting.

All this leaves me scratching my head as what my fleet should be moving forward. I struggle with the thought of selling my Devlins because of how much of myself I poured into them and all the memories of my son sitting next to me. But the reality is they only are taken out a time or two a year. I don't know what I'm going to do. I always planned to build a Cackler with Thomas but now think those plans will never come to fruition. We no longer hunt the water that is perfect for one.

I'm really struggling with this, and a whole lot of other things related to duck hunting.
Click to expand...
Eric, I am curious about what access restrictions you are referring to. In Minnesota we have alot of public access but much of it is non-motorized. Richard
 
RM

Nearly all the WMAs eliminated mid-week hunting, meaning I have to hunt the crowded weekend times, in the dewatering areas (seasonally flooded ag fields). For decades I avoided crowds by hunting midweek afternoons and was quite successful at times. Of course, the crowds have thinned on some of these areas due to the complete lack of birds. But on the area that is still somewhat productive you have to enter a draw and if selected you are told where to stand. Between lack of birds and access restrictions I have stopped going. Last season I didn't purchase a WMA permit. First time I have ever not purchased one since they were made a requirement. Doubt I will buy one in the future. No need in paying a for an item you don't use.
 
I need a replacement for my 14' tin boat. Hoping to go up to 16' and from 15 to 20 or 30 hp. I look around a bit, but am not seeing much. That's nothing exciting, just a utility boat useful for duck and fish and picnic duty. I've also got my eyes on the peddle drive sit-on-top kayaks. What a great jump shooting platform! But the expense and the weight have always held me back. I was jonesing for a Sportboat, and picked one up last year. It's useful, and the ability to cartop a 2-person boat with capacity for 2 plus some gear is what I wanted. But I mostly find myself trailering it, for use around home, and it is not as seaworthy nor does it have the capacity of wider trailered aluminum boat.
 
I've always wanted a AA Blackjack.. something that hides like my MLB but is big enough for two hunters. The Devlin Scaup has always been a dream too.. I just don't have the room to build or store it.

When I really look at how much time I spend on the water, outside of duck hunting, or with another person, I really don't "need" any more boats.. but that doesn't stop me from scouting the marketplace daily.
 
Jeff Reardon said:
I need a replacement for my 14' tin boat. Hoping to go up to 16' and from 15 to 20 or 30 hp. I look around a bit, but am not seeing much. That's nothing exciting, just a utility boat useful for duck and fish and picnic duty. I've also got my eyes on the peddle drive sit-on-top kayaks. What a great jump shooting platform! But the expense and the weight have always held me back. I was jonesing for a Sportboat, and picked one up last year. It's useful, and the ability to cartop a 2-person boat with capacity for 2 plus some gear is what I wanted. But I mostly find myself trailering it, for use around home, and it is not as seaworthy nor does it have the capacity of wider trailered aluminum boat.
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They sure are wonderful for jump shooting, also traveling across small water with decoys to hunt. We have the Old Town PDL's, I think the model is Predator/Big Water 13. For a trip of a mile or less, I wouldn't bother with a boat and motor since the pedals push you along effortlessly. Super nice to fly fish out of too. Yeah, a bit pricey and heavy as you note.
 
all you guys that would like to own a Grumman Sport Boat; come to Iowa and I will sell you one. I would even throw in a 4 HP weedless OMC motor. I have one that was my Dad's. it's been in the family for 50 years but hasn't been on the water in 20 years. I own an 1860 blind boat, a 12 ft pumpkin seed with a 3 hp Duck twin on the back, an Alumacraft Ducker that hasn't gotten wet in a decade and a 1448 with a 23 hp Copperhead SD on the back with a Beavertail pop up blind. the 1860 gets used on the MO river at Santee and once or twice late season on a large impoundment lake here after the marshes freeze up. the 1448 is the "go to" rig for the last three years because we have been in a drought and most of the marshes are dry or only knee deep. the knee deep water conditions are perfect for for the surface drive.
one can never own too many duck boats; the limiting factor is storage. I have everything under roof and am out of room.
 
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Interesting you bring up the Sport Boat, I just found one and purchased this winter after a few years of looking. Unless someone can talk me out of it, I'm going to power it with a Swamp Runner kit and a 6.5 motor. I hunt mostly estuaries so the water gets skinny pretty quick, leaving me with a long paddle or pole if I use an outboard. I have a trailer for it already, now I'm just waiting for the rain to stop long enough of r me to get started with some camouflaged patterns!
 
Carl said:
I still regret not building a Broadbill or Bluebill back in 2002 like I planned.
:cry:
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I regret selling a well built Devlin Bluebill back in early 2000's because of needed money for divorce lawyer. I should have found another way to get the money, but it was the fastest way at the time.
 
Eric Patterson said:
I was content with my fleet for decades. The Devlin Black Brant and Broadbill sneakboxes I built were utilized to their fullest seeing myself and my son on many adventures and back home safe countless times. I cherish the memories created in them since 2000. But in the past several years my hunting has changed significantly. The local public areas I hunted with my Devlins have either stopped producing or now have access restrictions and regulations that I do not care for and will not be a part of. Our hunting has greatly transitioned away from these areas in favor of private land where we use the boats significantly less. Additionally, my son bought his own rig for running public waters in Arkansas. It has been several years since he took one of the Devlins hunting.

All this leaves me scratching my head as what my fleet should be moving forward. I struggle with the thought of selling my Devlins because of how much of myself I poured into them and all the memories of my son sitting next to me. But the reality is they only are taken out a time or two a year. I don't know what I'm going to do. I always planned to build a Cackler with Thomas but now think those plans will never come to fruition. We no longer hunt the water that is perfect for one.

I'm really struggling with this, and a whole lot of other things related to duck hunting.
Click to expand...
Dear Eric,
It is hard to read the founder of Duckboats say, "I'm really struggling with this, and a whole lot of other things related to duck hunting." But it is the truth. Unless you are in one of the primary migratory regions and especially the northern migratory regions, duck hunting is now more a miss than hit sport. As you know, this is the reason I have converted from waterfowl to deer hunting/trout fishing in my older age, now living in NC. If I still lived in Michigan, I would still hunt ducks. But time changes things and stage of life changes things. As those changes comes, we have to make our own individual choices, whether to be satisfied with a poorer experience in duck hunting, change to some other form of hunting or fishing as a primary outdoor pursuit, or take up golf or some other form of exercise. It is the reality of our outdoor pursuits at this time. Every time I see a marsh that is "ducky" but has no birds, I long for times past, but I accept the present.
Larry
 
Larry

Exactly and thank you. The season of life is changing and I'm uncertain if I will continue to be an active duck hunter for a number of reasons. I've hit the point where I question if my time is better off spent on other pursuits. Maybe 43 seasons is enough. I spend a massive amount of time in the off-season on duck hunting things and it just hasn't been worth the effort expended and aggravation these past three or so years. I'll figure it out. A guy could have a lot worse things to deal with in their life so I shouldn't complain. I might anyway :) Life is good. I just may redirect energies in the future. I don't know. I go back and forth. When my fleet goes up for sale you'll know I made a decision.
 
Even with fewer places.to hunt and fewer birds to hunt; I still have to hunt waterfowl. Life is too short not to. With our drought here in the midwest; the last few years have been dismal, but seeing the sunrise come up on a marsh, hearing all of the birds waking up, seeing the mink and muskrat swimming, and being with friends in a duck boat is all worth it. I have been hunting waterfowl for six decades and the goal is to go another 10 years or more
 
Linhardt said:
I regret selling a well built Devlin Bluebill back in early 2000's because of needed money for divorce lawyer. I should have found another way to get the money, but it was the fastest way at the time.
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Woah,woah, woah, you had a Bluebill? Please elaborate. I am considering it for my next build. I'm aware of only a half dozen or so in existence in scouring the web; not one of Devlin's more popular designs. I would like to power it with a mud motor or an outboard depending on how skinny the water is. Please tell what you liked and didn't like about the design. Richard
 
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