Need recommendations for tender boat

[bob Petritsch]

My present tender is a 16 foot,1970 aluminum Chrystler. I have to tow the sneak box behind it. My idea is to get a larger, fiberglass boat. One I can hoist the sneak boat on top and take off, bigger boat, bigger engine can handle bigger water.
How high a bow is too high to get the gunning boat on top. My Higbee is 12 feet long, how long should the tender be to accommodate it? would also be nice to have to just tow one trailer.
Any recommendations would be appreciated. I hunt the Neuse River in NC near New Bern and it is like a large lake, not too much fetch and waves tend to be small. I would like to be able to gun the Pamlico Sound and it can throw up a nasty chop. I have to balance low freeboard so I can get the gunning boat aboard and high freeboard for safety.

 

[Paul W]

I would suggest overhauling an older 19ft crestliner, if you are interested in cheap. The transoms rarely rot, and they can cut some serious waves. The fancy chines. seem to make for a pretty dry ride.

I don't layout hunt (yet) but run an 18'6 older Lund I repurposed for ducks, and it is wonderful to have the 34" sides in rough weather.

 

[sean kane]

privateer roamer 20 without a doubt. best tender boat built, low gunnels in the back and a huge bow up front.

 

[Tom Rowe]

18 or 20ft Lund Alaskan. I have an 18 and love it.

 

[Chris Finch]

I still think a 25ft parker is the perfect big tender, get a jib crane for the 2 man layout and watch the action while you are in the toasty cabin drinkin some coffee.

Nikki's parents 45' hatteras wouldn't be to bad either, that would be hunting in style.

 

[bob Petritsch]

I live on a bulkheaded property. I have my sailboat on the dock but I still have room for another boat. My aluminum boat stays on the trailer as they don't like staying in salt water. I want the tender to be fiberglass so I can leave it at my dock so I can fish out of it.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Bob~

Your bulkheaded spot sounds great!

Cassiopeia is 25' - a 40+ year old T-Craft:

http://www.duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=252871;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

We tow White-Wing ( http://stevenjaysanford.com/white-wing-2-man-scooter/ ) and do not have to go slowly because she tows well (nose comes up and skeg keeps her on track) and she has a full canvas cockpit cover to keep any spray out. Could you tow your Higbee "fast" if she were covered - or does she nose or yaw? What if you had a tow ring on the hull, a foot or 2 aft of the bow?

I have seen gunning boats cradled both fore and aft - just make sure to keep your bow high when fully laden. Many mount a wide roller right at one rail and a chock on the opposite side.

All the best,

SJS

 

[Steve Sanford]

Bob~

By coincidence, this boat just showed up at my Mom's neighbor - it's a Seaway, I think an older 23-footer (not certain of LOA). House is way too big (which, as a sailor, you can appreciate) but she's low aft and high forward - with a lobster boat hull shape that makes me weep with joy......

Have fun boat-hunting!

SJS

 

[D Dominski]

Steve & Greg:
Great build, came out super.
Have a Great Holiday & Hunting Season.

 

[Scott Swain]

Bob... I know the "layout" folks travel with their rigs stacked routinely, and most can probably give you far better advice than me, but I think hauling a 12' sneak box would prove to be a significant challenge unless you are considering an extreme upgrade from your 16' aluminum. Restating the obvious, your tender would need to be long and wide enough to accommodate, secure and transport, as well as sturdy enough to properly mount a davit. A 12' sneak box can be a handful to safely drag/lift out of the water, so I would guess you are considering investing in a davit/winch assembly of some type. Additionally, you will need to check your state regulations on trailer width limits... it may be 90 inches. If traveling the roads with a 144 inch long Higbee... she would obviously need to be stowed parallel and on top of your tender. I have a 24' garvey and the same sneak box as you, but as Steve mentioned in his post, towing is the best option for me. Whatever you decide, please consider your safety first. There isn't a duck in the world worth getting hurt over, especially on some of the nasty days we love to hunt. Scott