Sanford Gunning Box

Jay K said:
Paul,

That is super versatile to say the least. What would you say the weight ended up on that? Something like that seems like it would be great for my application.
Click to expand...

The weight comes in around 75 lbs. It would weigh less if I got rid of the frames as Steve is suggesting. I also increased the bottom thickness over the plan as I knew I was taking out the middle seat. Looking at it now I realize that wasn't necessary.
 
Anthony~


I cannot see the top photo - but the lower 2 are 2 different friends. The coffin on the left - in the water - is one of mine. The coffin on the bog is not - and provided us with an interesting story.


The "other" coffin was built like most coffins have been - like a shoebox, without the upswept, boat-like bottom of a Sanford Gunning Coffin. The traditional coffin was a gift from my partner's neighbor.



The day was an Opening Day - and we three had slept out the night before the photos were taken. We left the launch at around 8:00 PM and slowly towed both boxes with my old 2-man Sneakbox (which safely carried 3 gunners). It was flat calm and pitch dark - and we had to run down the State Boat Channel for the better part of a mile before crossing a big flat to our gunning and sleeping - destination. We were in no hurry but did discover that we needed to proceed v-e-r-y slowly. We towed the boxes one behind the other, with my box first. At just above walking speed (3 or 4 knots), we could not help but notice that Coffin # 2 would misbehave if towed a bit too quickly. I found Neutral as soon as I felt the drag - of a diving coffin. Each coffin had a bag or two of decoys in it - both to save room in the towboat and for ballast to improve their manners when under way. I will never forget the sight - illuminated by my handheld spotlight - of several heads from my (Dad's) Herter's Model Superior Canada Goose Field Decoys spiraling v-e-r-y slowly downward into the abyssal gloom. I believe the bay charts say that the Channel is about 6 fathoms deep in that location.


View attachment Model Superior Goose - shells.jpg



We retrieved the bodies and the bag and some of the heads. We were soon back under way - and my partner was immediately promoted to "The U-boat Commander" (as per Risky Business). We never retrieved the sinking heads - but have relived the moment many times since.



And, we had a fine shoot the next day!


All the best,


SJS

 
Anthony, I'm loving the beavertail as well. It is my go too when the dog is out with me as he can sit in my lap and I can gun over the side to stay clear of his ears.

The Sanford box in the pictures below was built by one of my old college roommates last year in anticipation of this season every year we get together and they make the trip down to the island for brant, broadies, and black ducks.
Despite the warm weather and poor hunting conditions we took our share of black ducks all of them inside 15yrds. These rigs hide great.

The third coffin sitting on the gunnels of the skiff is an all fiberglass one I use when I leave the dog at home. The only complaint is you are looking directly up when laying back in it and it is very tight.

Steve, as technology teachers, my buddy and I discussed the topic of building a 2 man Sanford box and increasing the beam to the width of a standard sheet of ply (4ft) then "stitch&glue" it together to cut back on weight. Do you know of any one building your plans double wide? would potentially tow well I imagine
View attachment beavertail blind.jpgView attachment pond box and beavertail.jpgView attachment pond boxes.jpg
 
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Luke, "here" there was quite a few 2 man boxes years ago, for some reason guys like to be tight together?, lol.
Most had a small head shelter like a box blind,
They were heavy, didn't tow worth a crap, and tight. Way better to have 2 light boxes for two guys.

Even the small boxes were a nuisance to tow, best way I found to transport them was across the gunnels on the access boat.
You can transport 2 boxes on a 16 foot boat.
 
Luke~


It's good to hear from you - and to know that your boxes are providing you with some satisfying shots.


A friend built one full-width many years ago - not to hunt 2 gunners but to accommodate his ever-growing proportions. I never asked him how it tows.


Otherwise, I think a 48-inch-wide space is too narrow for 2 gunners. Whether a sit-up blind or a gunning vessel, I try to give each gunner at least 30 inches.



I have always had good luck towing 2 boxes. The first was on a 40-foot line to keep the boxes behind the wake. The second box is 6 or 8 feet behind it, secured with its painter. I always put a bag of decoys - but no guns or cameras - in the stern of each box for ballast. I would tow at 15 knots or so - and they behaved very nicely. On the other hand, if I could nest them on a big skiff, that would be my first choice.



Regarding your 'glass box where you are looking upward when at rest: Can you add a back (neck) rest before next season? I usually fasten mine at about a 50-degree angle. I decide the angle by testing it before securing it.



View attachment 18. Ready for canvas..jpg



I want to 1) be comfortable when at rest and 2) have my eyes naturally looking right at the water/decoys. As I have gotten older, I cover the rest with a nice soft foam + canvas. And, I put a GI foam sleeping pad on the bottom when I am going to hide.



All the best,


SJS





 
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