Pond boxes

J

Jamu

New member
Every year I make mental notes as to what can be simplified and improved in the hunting routine. This year, the todo is to figure out a nice inexpensive solution for pond boxes. There are many places that I hunt where the tide covers the feeding grounds by 2+feet of water. They are hard to get to since a boat can only get so far and the rig one takes to get to the spots would not work when the flood happens, if it’s even possible to get there. The floods are such that a coffin box will not work unfortunately as I have one in stock and would not care to float in it again. I’ve had great luck with momarsh boats and the logistics of transport and dragging is getting to be a deterrent. So I’m looking for ideas on pond boxes that can be easily built for reasonable bucks with the plan of stashing them near the gunning grounds. These will be left out for the season so hatch covers are a must and expense (time and money) are at a minimum to keep down the pain when they disappear or break down. I’m assuming both will happen.

They would need to hide man and dog and be very low profile/layout style. I have some comfort bending and making doors so I’m thinking that will be part of the solution.

I have looked at the “duckling” plans and they have potential. I’ve also seen an old van sant design that I like as well. Both can be constructed although they might be more effort and expense than I want to take on for the quantity I’m looking for (6ish). Sunfish conversions might also be an option since those hulls can be had for free with a close eye on marketplace. 1/4” ply construction is an option provided I can get enough beam and length without undo waste from standard sheets to make it stable for floating and gunning. My current thoughts are that it would need to be 9’ in length and 40-44” beam to handle gunner and beast.

I doubt that I am the first to face this conundrum and wondering it others here have found a solution?

Thanks
Jamus
 
Jamu said:
Every year I make mental notes as to what can be simplified and improved in the hunting routine. This year, the todo is to figure out a nice inexpensive solution for pond boxes. There are many places that I hunt where the tide covers the feeding grounds by 2+feet of water. They are hard to get to since a boat can only get so far and the rig one takes to get to the spots would not work when the flood happens, if it’s even possible to get there. The floods are such that a coffin box will not work unfortunately as I have one in stock and would not care to float in it again. I’ve had great luck with momarsh boats and the logistics of transport and dragging is getting to be a deterrent. So I’m looking for ideas on pond boxes that can be easily built for reasonable bucks with the plan of stashing them near the gunning grounds. These will be left out for the season so hatch covers are a must and expense (time and money) are at a minimum to keep down the pain when they disappear or break down. I’m assuming both will happen.

They would need to hide man and dog and be very low profile/layout style. I have some comfort bending and making doors so I’m thinking that will be part of the solution.

I have looked at the “duckling” plans and they have potential. I’ve also seen an old van sant design that I like as well. Both can be constructed although they might be more effort and expense than I want to take on for the quantity I’m looking for (6ish). Sunfish conversions might also be an option since those hulls can be had for free with a close eye on marketplace. 1/4” ply construction is an option provided I can get enough beam and length without undo waste from standard sheets to make it stable for floating and gunning. My current thoughts are that it would need to be 9’ in length and 40-44” beam to handle gunner and beast.

I doubt that I am the first to face this conundrum and wondering it others here have found a solution?

Thanks
Jamus
Click to expand...
Jamus~
I heartily endorse the Sunfish conversion - or, better yet, a Minifish conversion. The latter are hard to find but are smaller.

This with some polypropylene webbing would make a sweet grassboat. Or, just like the original Barnegat Bay Sneakboxes, simply toss some wrack (or ice) on her decks once you have her where you want her for the hunt.

One other thought: I use hard cockpit covers only for off-season storage. Fitted canvas lashed down over a ridge-pole (shovin' oar or a designated ridge - 1x3 on edge) can be quite weather-tight.


McFeely Layout - cropped - sm.jpg

This may give you some helpful ideas:

https://stevenjaysanford.com/gilgo-gunboat-sunfish-conversion-to-layout-boat/

As I have mentioned previously here: IF I did it again (converting either Minifish or Sunfish) I would remove the decks. I would leave a 1.5 inch "shelf" around the gunwales to which I would fasten the new 1/4-inch AC plywood decks. I would add about 3 inches of crown to the new decks (via radiused bulkheads and knees) for better hide, more storage, and better drainage.

And, I would probably use a smaller (stock South Bay Duckboat) 'glass spray shield instead of the folding canvas. Among other benefits, that would make it easier for a hard cockpit cover if you prefer.
Another option: Snark/Sunflower: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snark_sailboat

I picked up one of these hulls (free) just before I left Long Island. I had been planning to build just what you are describing - but bequeathed it to a friend when I moved away from the Atlantic Tidewater.

Hope this helps!
SJS
 
Jamu said:
Every year I make mental notes as to what can be simplified and improved in the hunting routine. This year, the todo is to figure out a nice inexpensive solution for pond boxes. There are many places that I hunt where the tide covers the feeding grounds by 2+feet of water. They are hard to get to since a boat can only get so far and the rig one takes to get to the spots would not work when the flood happens, if it’s even possible to get there. The floods are such that a coffin box will not work unfortunately as I have one in stock and would not care to float in it again. I’ve had great luck with momarsh boats and the logistics of transport and dragging is getting to be a deterrent. So I’m looking for ideas on pond boxes that can be easily built for reasonable bucks with the plan of stashing them near the gunning grounds. These will be left out for the season so hatch covers are a must and expense (time and money) are at a minimum to keep down the pain when they disappear or break down. I’m assuming both will happen.

They would need to hide man and dog and be very low profile/layout style. I have some comfort bending and making doors so I’m thinking that will be part of the solution.

I have looked at the “duckling” plans and they have potential. I’ve also seen an old van sant design that I like as well. Both can be constructed although they might be more effort and expense than I want to take on for the quantity I’m looking for (6ish). Sunfish conversions might also be an option since those hulls can be had for free with a close eye on marketplace. 1/4” ply construction is an option provided I can get enough beam and length without undo waste from standard sheets to make it stable for floating and gunning. My current thoughts are that it would need to be 9’ in length and 40-44” beam to handle gunner and beast.

I doubt that I am the first to face this conundrum and wondering it others here have found a solution?

Thanks
Jamus
Click to expand...
Do you live near NJ if so I have a sunfish hull you can have.
 
thank you all for the responses. I had forgotten the Taylor design and I have the book downstairs. I will look that up. Does anyone have expereince gunning from it while it's floating? Stability is quite important. Also, are there designs out there that flow the decks down to the waterline? The momarsh boats have been very effective for me, one reason being the lack of hard chines (IMO) and decks that sit but 2-4" from the water.

Thank you also for the offer of the sunfish and I appreciate that. I'm up in massachusetts so will not be able to take you up on that offer. Again, most appreciated.

Steve, with regard to the comment on the canvas, I would agree that I would go this route, were it not for the fact that I might wish to keep a rig in the box (and being able to lock it would be desirable). Thanks again everyone.
 
Jamu said:
thank you all for the responses. I had forgotten the Taylor design and I have the book downstairs. I will look that up. Does anyone have expereince gunning from it while it's floating? Stability is quite important. Also, are there designs out there that flow the decks down to the waterline? The momarsh boats have been very effective for me, one reason being the lack of hard chines (IMO) and decks that sit but 2-4" from the water.

Thank you also for the offer of the sunfish and I appreciate that. I'm up in massachusetts so will not be able to take you up on that offer. Again, most appreciated.

Steve, with regard to the comment on the canvas, I would agree that I would go this route, were it not for the fact that I might wish to keep a rig in the box (and being able to lock it would be desirable). Thanks again everyone.
Click to expand...
Stability in a layout style hull comes mainly from width so if your planning to hunt that way choose something with at least 36" bottom width. If your going to stand to shoot go 48" minimum. That's been my experience thru the years and many hulls, aluminum and fiberglass. That of course if hulls are floating. You can overcome the instability of a to narrow hull by getting it onto or into heavy vegetation or on bottom.
 
roy brewington said:
Stability in a layout style hull comes mainly from width so if your planning to hunt that way choose something with at least 36" bottom width. If your going to stand to shoot go 48" minimum. That's been my experience thru the years and many hulls, aluminum and fiberglass. That of course if hulls are floating. You can overcome the instability of a to narrow hull by getting it onto or into heavy vegetation or on bottom.
Click to expand...
re Beam Most of my canoes are 35 or 36 inches max width - with flat bottoms. If solo, I only shoot from them over the bow. A couple of broadsides have given this old heart a run for its money.

Long Island grassboats and scooters are typically between 42 and 44 inches beam. Had I built a pond box, I would have gone with 9 or 10 feet LOA with a 42-inch beam.

All the best,

SJS
 
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