Opinions on the South Bay duck boat?

J

JimG

Well-known member
I found one for sale in the area....I don't need it, I have nowhere to park it, it will po the landlady/girlfriend, but I might buy it anyway. Looks like a cool boat. I'm just wondering how it handles on the water.
 
I found one for sale in the area....I don't need it, I have nowhere to park it, it will po the landlady/girlfriend, but I might buy it anyway. Looks like a cool boat. I'm just wondering how it handles on the water.
Click to expand...
As a boat the SouthBay does not handle the water well.
You will take a beaten in a chop. I do however feel save in the chop.
Were the Southbay shines is in inches of water.
I can float my Southbay is less water that my barnaget.
It has more room that my barnaget.
It hides very well.
It is a nice stable shooting platform.
I am sure you will get people telling you their Southbay handles ruff water.I have had mine in some snotty conditions, and made it. Just look at the bottom of the boat. Flat bottom boats do not handle ruff water.
It's a great duck hunt rig just not a great ruff water boat.
Were I use mine it will handle any water conditions that I hunt.
If you buy the boat make sure you build a dodger.
 
I know I know.....PICTURES.....what do you guys think? What would you pay for this fine watercraft?

southbay1.jpg

southbay2.jpg

southbay3.jpg

southbay4.jpg

 
$601 LOL

I would love to get this boat as a project boat.
I would add grass rail
I would add a spray sheild
I would add flap boards
I would add up front decoy racks
I would add a dodger
I would paint it dull grass brown
 
Great little boat. But as mentioned, it has it's place. Ditto on the dodger. You will get wet in less than flat conditions but you will be able to get into some very shallow water where deeper draft boats can't go and blends in well.
Here are some photos of the one we run
12A.jpg

FH000021-2.jpg

FH000020-2.jpg

9A.jpg

 
We ran it with a 9.9 hp but it needs more. The 15 hp worked well but the 25 makes it fly when conditions are good. The added weight does not seem to effect the boat much. When loaded with 2 guys and gear it goes great.
 
When I ran mine with a 25 even with 2 people, tiller extention and gear the boat wanted to porpiose at wot.
To me a 25 is to much for that hull.
 
P2100080.jpg


Grew up hunting out of one.

25hp is good for these boats. Everyone I know that has one runs it with a 25. You can certainly get away with a 15 if you just hunt by yourself or with a dog. Two people, a dog, and gear you really need a 25. They hide unbelievably well and are the perfect boat for two people in my opinion.
 
I passed one -up a year ago the seller wanted $1,100 for south-bay with 15 hp motor type? and a rotten trailer with no lights.I offered $900.00 it was a no go.I told my friend steven howell about it and he talked the man itno selling it to him {boat only} for $800.00 He cleaned it up, new camo-paint, new trailer and an almost new 8- H.P.motor and gave it to his 11 yr. old son. It has not hit the water so far so I can't comment on its manuverability on the water.But the one your talking about for the price I think it's a good deal, try and get the price down if you can.
 
Sounds like a no-brainer for $600 Jim....

Great pics john, thanks for sharing.

Nice boat Craig.
 
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