Questions....

R

Roy Ames

New member
Well, I have been watching this forum for sometime and have learned alot. But with that I have got a few questions.

I live in the Midwest, SE Wisconsin in particular, and I wondered if a BBSB is right for hunting this area. We have some decent size lakes and the big river, as well as the Great Lakes.

Second, I see alot of posts about the Estuary. What is the difference between that and the classic BBSB?

Thanks in advance for the answers.

Roy Ames
 
Roy

Welcome!

I would say that a BBSB is perhaps the most versitle hunting craft for one man (and a dog), very seaworthy, shallow draft, easy to conseal, easy to row or pole, etc, but like every boat it has limitations...speed, carrying capasity, etc. To say it would work in your area is one thing, but does it fit the way you hunt (or want to hunt). Do you hunt alone? If not, do your partner(s) plan to have similar craft that would conseal in the same fashion. (it makes no sense for you to have a low stealthy boat parked next to a big boat blind).

Also, look over thist thread relating to your states laws and make sure the areas and methods you are thinking you'd use are legal:

http://www.duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=128858#128858

The estuary is basically a bigger BBSB...greater carrying capasity but has a deeper draft as well. Many here have them and love them and are far more qualified to answer specific questions.

If you are thinking of hunting 2 or 3 out of a sneakboat I'd look at the larger Devlin designs. With a little more information on your intentions I'm sure the group here will be able to stear you in the right direction...but keep in mind, there is no one boat that is perfect for everything. More a matter of finding the boat that fits best for most of the situations you plan to hunt it in.

Best
Chuck
 
Chuck,

Thank you for the welcome. I should back up and introduce myself first. I am a lifelong hunter here in SE Wisconsin. A mechanical engineer by trade, and have loved the outdoors all my life. The waterfowling I do is mostly alone with my dog. I do hunt on occasion with a partner, but that is usually on really big water from a Lund Alaskan.

What I would use the boat for is hunting the back waters, but I also want the ability to hunt Lake Michigan. I think I would like the bigger boat (14') but how much more difficult would it be to row, pole & conceal? Does it draft significately more? What are the drafts? There are a number of places on Lake Michigan, where I would want to motor out, throw out about 3 dozen dekes, anchor up and use it as a layout. Is the BBSB capable of this.

I have always hunted out of boat blinds with lots of gear, and I find myself drawn to a more minimalist approach, where the method of hunting is as important as the outcome.
 
Roy you got problems one boat you say . Half the guy's here can't park in their own garage. Sadly i only have 5 and am starting #6. If you are in the lacrosse area let me know i'd be glad to show you my fleet.
 
Welcome aboard Roy.
As said before you really need to see what style boat will work best for your style of hunting. Check out boats in the local area.
I have had many different sneak boats and each had something about it that made it right for a certain hunt.
My favorite right now is my 2 man side by side sneakboat
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and the smaller 1 man for those really tight places
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Then when you have just enough, tie them all together and go head out in search of that spot that only they can get you to.
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You will know when you really get bit by the sneak box bug. The first sign is getting your first sneak box then shortly after telling your wife you need a bigger boat to tow the small boat on those really nasty days when only a sneak box will do. Then getting another sneak boat because that one you have just can't do what the next one can. You get the point.
Sneak boats are great but are very addictive. Take this as a warning. I have been afflicted with this illness for many years now and it's not getting better. Poke around here and you will find a wealth of information.
Good luck
 
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Hi Roy. I'm from Madison and I've used a Devlin Black Brant for 22 years. Mostly at Horicon but all over the midwest. Plenty of room for two, a dog, gear and about 60 decoys. It's been heavily modified so it rides a little lower that most. I wanted a 4 star boat blind to hunt out of. Now I've also got a 16ft Jon with a mud motor as well. It's wider at 54 on the bottom and 72 at the top. By way of comparison The cockpit is about the same size but you can't put as many decoys in it. But it runs through mud. I use it to get to some shore blinds. Lots of option with either one. Guess you'll just have to get two boats

View attachment Old duck boat 6 sm.jpg
View attachment Old duck boat 1 sm.jpg
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Gray,
that is a very cool build on that blind. I have never seen it before. Nice Job.
 
Roy, First off welcome to the site. Second, my answer to your question is best expressed by my favorite boat name- " My Next Last Boat". I am down to just two now plus a fishing boat. Starting to have withdrawel symptoms.
 
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