One-man boat weight

I am surprised that no one has mentioned a Carstens. I have a Pintail, which is pretty big, 13'4" long 38" wide I think and I drag that thing all over. Its empty weight is 90 lbs. and I just make two trips. There is one small rice lake I hunt, with a 250 yd portage. I carry the boat in, then all my gear. When I load it on the roof of my topper, I just pick it up over my head, and throw it on the rack. I really dont drag it too many places, since I don't feel like repairing fiberglass, but it carries real easy. It is also stable, and I often stand and push pole it. This is actually the first year I have used it but I am very pleased. They have a smaller one that weighs in at 70 lbs and has a 400 lb capacity.
 
I'm hoping to build a cedar canoe/kayak hybrid from Sandy Point Boatworks this winter. It's called the The Bay Hawk...Andrew, I think you built a scull from that guys plans before, didn't you? The Bay Hawk is more of an open cockpit kayak then a canoe, has sealed bulkheads for additional storage and safety, is 16 feet long (longer than I like), appears to be low and wide.

I have a closed cockpit kayak that I used to hunt from last year. The only thing I didn't like about it was the lack of storage space for large items like dekes. It was very safe I just wanted something more open to haul a few dekes with. I think the Bay Hawk will do the trick.

Shawn
Click to expand...

The scull that I am building is based on the one in John Gardners book. I hope to complete before the seaon ends. I could have used it yesterday. I got within 10-15 yards of coot with the marsh rat. But the widgeon weren't as easily fooled.
 
Take a look at www.stillwaterboats.com.
No personal experience but i've always thought that the sunrise double would make a nice little marsh/sneak boat. (The boat on the right in the photo)
The advertised finished weight is 45 lbs. Build it with more/heavier glass for the rigors of duckhunting and you could still be under 60 lbs or so.
The only concern is with the 31" beam - it may be a little on the tippy side.

swbphoto1.JPG

 
is the Mill Creek 13 from Chesapeake Light Craft. It weighs about 40 lbs.

http://www.clcboats.com/boats/millcreek.php

I built one about 6-7 years ago and hunt out of it occasionally in shallow protected waters. It's more stable than a traditional kayak, but you wouldn't want to stand up in it. I mounted brackets on each side so I could run a 1/2" pipe through the brackets into the mud. That anchors the boat and keeps it from tipping so you can take a full swing when shooting.

Rick
 
With any of the boats commented on, it is not as much the total weight as the wasy you carry it. I would rather portage my 80 pound canoe on it's portage yoke (puts weight on both shoulders) than carry my 45 pound sea kayak which the best I have found is to sling the cockpit over one shoulder. When I was a kid I would carry a 105 pound canoe a quarter of a mile through a swamp to put in. Having the load balanced on your shoulders will make your back last alot longer than manhandling a boat.

Chuck
 
My favorite lightweight boat is a 10’ Golden Hawk double end canoe. Very stable, only 45#, and will carry 450#. I use it the most because it is the easiest to carry, will haul the most gear, and is very stable even with the dog. I also use this boat in the summers to fish lakes. The price is very affordable.
http://www.goldenhawkcanoes.com/wst_page2.html

The 10’ aqua pod is a good boat, very stable and easy to carry. About 50# and is rated for 355#. It will not haul 2 guys or as much gear. It is a better boat to layout hunt from than the canoe. They are pricey.
http://www.attbar.com/aquapod/downloads/aquapod_brochure.pdf

Both are fiberglass boats and I do not use them in the rocks.

For use in the rocks or when traveling a long distance the 14’ Old Town Predator works well. It is heavier at 68 Lbs., but can be dragged thru plenty of stuff. It is rated for 450#. I feel that it is also a very stable boat. I have no problems getting in or out and use it with the dog just fine. This boat gets the most summer use floating streams fishing.
http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/kayaks/huntingFishing/predator_k140.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top