Light boat...big water question

Joe Spoo

Joe Spoo

Member
I've found a couple of diver spots this year that don't have great boat access. They are relatively shallow for wading to put out decoys, but obviously get deeper beyond that range. My current retriever is a field-bred cocker and so as we get into this time of year using her in these situations is beyond my comfort level for her cold tolerance. I'm wondering if anyone has suggestions for a light boat that one guy could drag to the water and have confidence in setting decoys and making some retrieves. I will give the disclaimer that I would be sensible with this and I'm not looking to cross big water just to make some retrieves beyond wader range, but not sure some of the marsh boats fit the bill. One of these spots we used a momarsh, which is fine with two guys, but there would have been no way for one guy to get the boat back up the bank by himself. Any thoughts on a small portable boat for this application would be appreciated....if it exists.

Thanks,
Joe
 
Sounds like a small, flat bottom pirogue might be the ticket. You could build one yourself in just about any size, probably in a weekend or two. I've heard of guys building them, then stashing them in places like you're talking about.
 
Depending on surf conditions, a canoe or kayak would work. I do a lot of my late season hunting from a canoe, but I pick my spots.
 
Good morning, Joe~

Just like Jeff, my first thought was a canoe IF you will not be dealing with any significant winds. I use canoes all the time for situations such as you describe - small, sheltered waters where wading is difficult or impossible. We have very little wind where I live.

On the other hand, I would never use a canoe for gunning down on Great South Bay, where strong winds are the norm.

I have a bunch of canoes - all with flat bottoms - and from 13- to 16-foot LOA. I prefer 'glass over aluminum because the 'glass is quieter, but aluminum is fine - and truly maintenance-free.

If you ever find a 13-foot Grumman, grab it and hold onto it like Grim Death. It is the perfect one-man canoe, in my opinion. I molded Sweet Gherkin's hull from a friend's 13-foot Grumman. The decking adds a margin of safety and also provides a good hide if I hunt from the vessel:

SweetGherkin-2010_zps044a61e4.jpg


To minimize leaning over to reach for decoys when picking up, a small pick-up stick (mine is 42-inches long) adds another margin of safety.

All the best,

SJS
 
Assuming you're hunting SoDak, the lakes/sloughs are a lot like what we have in SW and Central MN.

My experience: a light 12' aluminum 'V' can weigh in around 125 lbs. Not sure how much a MoMarsh weighs or how steep the bank is.

Keys for me in this type of hunting:
1) V-hull- Even unloaded a jon boat is apt to catch waves over bow, stern, sides. Additionally, leaning over to grab a duck from the water doesn't lift the bow out of the water.

2) Row vs Paddle- better maneuverability with oars and better speed if you need to haul. I know, canoes and kayaks can be fast, but if the fear of God is in you I'll take pulling evenly against oars over one man and a paddle any day, particularly into the wind.

3) get a life jacket that has the mesh shoulders so you can wear it while hunting. If you sail one and want to go after it I'm always amazed how long it takes to get a life jacket on while reloading for a wounded bird, keeping an eye on it, getting the boat in the water, etc.

I pulled this up from West Marine: http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--classic-dinghy--11985512?cm_mmc=PS-_-Google-_-Shopping_PLAs-_-11985512&adpos=1o2&creative=65739116644&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=CKfC5byEztACFQUtaQod8j0Bgg

When you're looking at late season, water over 3', and open prairie winds, I prefer to ride "high". Sneaks and pumpkinseeds, pirogues and kayaks, all have their place and I use various versions of all during a season. But having flipped a kayak (warm water fishing), submerged a Jon (ahh, youth...), sheared motor pins, had the wind come up while hunting the lee shore, etc., etc......

I'd prefer to hump an extra 50 lbs and have a bit more confidence in the tool.

If the slough/pond is such that the wind really isn't as big of an issue as just getting out past the point of waders, I use this: http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12669143&camp=CSE:GooglePLA:12669143:12372990-DSG:PADDLE-SPORTS_KAYAKING_KAYAKS&gclid=CMez5YaJztACFYQ2gQod2poHJA

But it sucks for setting more than a puddler spread, which I drag a floating decoy bag along behind.
 
Sounds like a small sit-in kayak, Aquapod or Creek Boats M80 would do the trick.
I do like the idea of a small semi-v also, if you can get it close enough.
Can you get your pickup or 4-wheeler close enough that you dont have to drag the boat a long distance?
 
Look for a Poke Boat (22 - 28 lbs depending upon Kevlar or fiberglass) or look for a Hurricane Santee 126 Sport (38 lbs or close to it). Both have the hull shape that is more stable than regular kayak and are easily paddled and easily painted. Rotomolded kayaks are cheaper but are not easily painted.


I hear you on the lightweight aspect. As you saw in my prior post I have a Hoefgen that I have been using but it weighs 65 lbs or so. It was getting too much for one person to drag around so I went for something lighter and found a used Kevlar Poke Boat. Poke is nowhere near as stable as the Hoefgen (but not too bad) but it is much harder to get in and out of. The Hurricane Santee is shaped just like the boat but is much easier to get in and out of.


Mark W
 
Steve

love that pickle boat

the sales ad site for this area has a long running ad looking to buy a 13' Grumman, someone agrees with you
 
Anything between a carstens and a hellbender would work depending on how many decoys and hunters need to go in the boat to get to the blind.

But the nice thing about an aluminum boat is that you can hook a tow strap to it and pull it up the bank or road ditch with a truck or atv and not have to patch it.

For South Dakota, I wouldn't worry too much about type of boat. Canoes are phenomenal duck boats for people who are comfortable in them. Otherwise a 12-14' vhull or a Grumman sportboat is pretty tough to beat, or a jonboat would be ok too.
 
I have a creek boat and love it. I think it's the 10' one that you can put a motor on. I use it to hunt swamps and protected waters and use a kayak paddle. I have only shot out of it one time and it was not a problem. It is light, and fits in the back of a pick-up. It's a great little boat.
Pete
 
Sportspal and Golden Hawk both make great canoes that are light to carry and are very stable to use. Aqua Pod also makes a good boat. My 10' Golden Hawk weights like 45# and will haul 450#.
 
Browning Aerocraft 13 ft canoe is just over 50 lbs and about 37" wide with sponsons built in to the stretched aluminum hull. Another 13 ft canoe that weighs in at 55 lbs is the Michi-Craft 13 ft canoe. 42" wide. Super stable. Keep your eye out on Craigslist for one of these. The Michi-Craft is still available new for around $1200 when you tack on shipping. Both are great boats
 
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