new carstens puddler

Mike Repp

Mike Repp

Well-known member
Yippeeeee Just got an email from Kristine at Carstens and my new puddler is shipping today! I have to say this has been one of the easiest, smoothest purchases I have made in a very long time. Of course i debated about it for three months. LOL.

Anyway it got me thinking how do others who have the puddler or any small layout for that matter have them rigged?

What do most of you who layout hunt use for anchors? I was thinking some small folding grapple type anchors. Light weight, compact just the right size for carrying in a small boat like the puddler.

I plan on using it for layout hunting and getting into a number of backwaters that i cant get my 16' Grizzley into.

Any ideas or suggestions are very welcome.
 
We had one for a raffle at one of our DU dinners. These are pretty cool little boats. Appear well made. I have tried to get more but they just want to keep killing us on the shipping. Like $170-190 from Minnesota to New Jersey. We ended up getting a Marsh Rat shipped from Seattle. 1200 additional freight miles and and a considerable amount less in the shipping charges. It's a shame because they do have nice boats but they are obviously padding the shipping costs a bit
 
Yes the shipping is a bit much $150 to ship to Illinois. I was going to use our corporate trucking firms which wanted $90 for shipping but the hassle with dealing with corporate just wasnt worth it. thought about driving up and getting it which would have been nice but the cost of gas would have been more than the $150.

The boat fits my exact needs for a small light weight boat. I am hopeing it will be here tomorrow or Friday, just in time to take her out this weekend and try her out. :)
 
These boats paddle very well as do the Marsh Rats made (used to be) by Mallard Marine. The holes for the mud poles work great. My Marsh Rat has 4 and with two mud poles in, this is very stable. I think that the puddler has two but that would be fine. Obviously if you are in deeper water the mud poles won't work. I wouldn't expect you to need any serious anchors since you are not trying to secure a lot of weight, just hold your position.

Get some nylon eye hooks an attached them with short screws or rivets. Run some bungee cord around the deck and fill with natural vegetation and you will disappear. This is a cool way to hunt.
 
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Mike B, Franzwa's Marine in Millville is a dealer. I believe the puddle is 700 with shipping. If that helps. Also the guy down the block from me MP Murphy is a Aqua Pod dealer just for future [font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]referance[/font].

Mike R, I also have the Grizzly 16' Great boats! I have the Carstens mallard. great boats also. I was going to get a puddler, but for a big guy such as my self they didn't have enough free board. Ended up getting one of the Hellbender boats instead. Enjoy.
 
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Hi Mike I didnt opt for the 2 pole holes I figure if I am that shallow i can drive poles at each end and tie off. Just wasnt real hip on having 2 holes going thru the boat. :) If I need more anchor when layout hunting I can always use the tender to carry and set the heavier anchors and just clip up with the puddler.

Sean from the factory the puddler is $620 so 700 with shipping is not too bad.

Now I have to purchase a kayak paddle, anyone have any idea how long a paddle I will need? Looks like 84" is a standard length. does anyone make Kayak paddles that are collapsable?
 
Now I have to purchase a kayak paddle, anyone have any idea how long a paddle I will need? Looks like 84" is a standard length. does anyone make Kayak paddles that are collapsable?
Click to expand...

Why a kayak paddle?

View attachment haese21.jpg

But to answer your questions more direct, you will want longer than "standard" with the width of your boat. You can get them with a coupling in the middle, but I just strap my non collapseable paddles to the roof rack with the boat most of the time.

Here is a post from last year with some discussion on length, and links and such including an extensioin:

http://www.duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=74358#74358

And here is a discussion on some methods of building your own paddle:

http://www.duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=89054#89054

Chuck
 
Mike,

You'll love the stability of the puddler for it's size. I now wish I'd kept mine but I thought I needed a kayak more. I'd give Attbar a call and order the 9' kayak paddle they offer. It's a good buy at the price point and well made.

http://aquapodboats.com/documents/orderfm.pdf

Take care,

Ed L.
 
Thanks for all the help guys! Thats what makes this a great site good advice and opinions.

Chuck the reasoning behind the kayak paddle is that most of the research I've done showed that it doesnt track well with a regular paddle. the general consenses was that a kayak paddle performed better. I guess I will find out once i get her wet and see how she paddles.
 
Sean,

I never seen the aquapod in person but I know several guys who have one and think that they are great. George Larson was selling one a while back as well. Might have to get down south and check out the aquapods.
 
Thanks for all the help guys! Thats what makes this a great site good advice and opinions.

Chuck the reasoning behind the kayak paddle is that most of the research I've done showed that it doesnt track well with a regular paddle. the general consenses was that a kayak paddle performed better. I guess I will find out once i get her wet and see how she paddles.
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Get her out in the warm weather and see how stable it is...and how brave you are. If you feel good standing in it, I'd look for or build a traditional push paddle. Otherwise if you want to sit, there are some good kayak paddle options in those links.

Chuck
 
The lighter the kayak paddle, the better! Even if it is a bit short. I bought the one from Attbar many years ago, and boy it is long, but very heavy! I felt the difference with a slightly shorter paddle, especially after a tough day of hunting, against the tide, current and wind!

If you want the best, cheapest, kayak paddles, in jersey, check out Campmor: http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/SubCategory___40000000226_200368478

I bought two pairs of kayak paddles there that just can't be beat for the price!

Anthony
 
Hey Mike,
I have a puddler and love it. But I'm not standing up in it in January! I feel mine tracks well with a standard 2 piece kayak paddle. I usually paddle on my knees and can move along pretty good. I don't use it as an open water layout, just not stable enough to sit up and shoot for me. I'll throw it in the big boat and then pull it out and get me exactly where I want to be in the shallow water. It can handle me, Rosie (65 lb Golden) and dozen deeks, but Rosie is very steady. I'd throw a big sponge in to get the water out that comes in from the normal in/out of hunting.
Have fun and be safe,
Brian
 
Yahoo it came! And of course i just had to get it wet in the retention pond behind work. Of course just my luck my boss drives past and saw me. LOL thank goodness hes a good ol boy and got a big kick out of it.
View attachment IMG_5845SM.JPG
What do you guys think of this paddle? Its a little short but it got me around! LOL
View attachment IMG_5837SM.JPG

Grabbed a board from a pallet to paddle with. It actually tracked fairly well. I did try to stand in it (close to shore) and it is a bit unstable for that so I dont think i will be poleing it too much.
So thats how I spent my morning at work playing with my new toy. thanks again for all the input and suggestions.

Mmmmm may have to throw it in the pond one more time before I head home today.
 
Thanks David it was a great way to spend time at work. sure beats sitting behind the computer screen designing parts. Its a great little boat that is light enough for me to pick up even with a missing tendon and a rotator cuff injury. (boy I'm falling apart). cant wait for the season to start! So now I have my 16' flat bottom at the high end of the spectrum and my puddler for the low end guess i have start thinking of something in between. Mmmmm maybe a boat project in the making starting next spring?
 
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