Pumpkin seed any info

J

John Van Houten

Active member
When I was a younger 15 yoa (55 now) there was a older man in his 80s that lived next to our property on the southshore of Long Island. His duck boat was about 12' long, a sneak boat, one man, canvas on the top, painted gray and grassed over. He would row the boat to where he hunted about 2-3 miles every morning he hunted. One day I asked what type of boat it was and was told it was a pumpkin seed. I've thought of this boat since I was a kid and I would like to build one but everything I see on-line for pumpkin seed is a layout boat not a sneak boat. If anyone has a idea or knows of a website I would appreciate the info. Thought it would be a good summer project. Thanks
 
John,

LI had the South bay Scoter. That was refered to as a pumkin seed design. If you google South shore waterfowers assoc. there might be a link.

Phil
 

You will not want to row a south bay.
The top may be punkin seed but the bottom is mostly flat.
That boat is better suited to push pole over Ice that a rowing boat.
 
Like these http://longislandgenealogy.com/...ess/DuckHunting.html

I have one sitting in the back yard, I rarely use it--- heavy as a bit-h.


I've never seen one with canvas on top, most were out of white cedar with oak rib. The west saville museum has a few on display. They row great, but I believe they were equiped with sails (mine isn't) I had an article that Eric posted a long time ago sitting in my office with the specs and design if one wanted to build one. If Eric doesn't beat me to it, and I find the article, I'll post it for you.

Check these links...

http://ice-scooter.org/pictures.php?group=Pictures%202004&pic=102_0208.jpg

http://ice-scooter.org/pdf/Other%20Published%20Articles/1909%20How%20to%20Build%20a%20Scooter.pdf
 
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Jack,

That is a great look into Long Island ice boats. Very enjoyable. Makes me want to built one for next year. Just have to think of a good line to tell my wife why I need an ice boat. Guess I could always go with "for those days when the bay is frozen....duh

A few year back we were ice diving in Lake Ronkonkoma and I saw a guy with an early 1900's ice boat that was all original. The boat was in great shape. It was pretty cool watching him zip across the lake.
 
Thanks for the effort guys, I just spoke to my dad and he says it was not a scooter. Even he is having a hard time recalling the boat and he new the guy. It did not have a transom and was so called rounded in the back. It did have a decoy rack. My father says it wasn't a barnaget bay either. It's really on my mind now.
 
Back a few years ago when I knew how to access Mystic Seaport small boat plans I believe they had a "pumpkin seed" design similar to what your describing. Now I can find those plans on line. Maybe someone else has the link to them?

Scott
 
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