South Bay Duck Boat Seating

Good morning, Matt~


I'm glad to hear you enjoyed a good season with your South Bay. When I gunned my Sneakbox with 2 guys (usually my Dad and me) we sat on spackle buckets with padded lids. I like them because they are fairly watertight and can keep lunches, gloves, cameras etc dry.

Are you sitting high enough off the floor to use them? If you sit lower, it is definitely more comfortable and easier to shoot if you get at least a few inches up off the floor. Could you build a pair of wooden boxes - say 6 or 8 inches deep - with padded lids?



View attachment SJS Sneakbox + Blind - gunning flap down - lower.jpg





I'm thinking more, though, about your flapboards hanging too low. Rather than cutting down their height, could you simply attach a couple of light lines - to their front corners - so they could only drop down about half way when you are under power?


If the lines had snap hooks, you could easily drop the flaps all the way when needed.


Hope this helps!


SJS



 
When hunting 2 in mine we sit on pads, life jackets or just the floor. Problem is legs crammed!
 
Steve,

Sat on turned over milk crates which worked great! Just want to lower everything (seats and doors). High tide we kind of stuck out being much higher than everything. Was thinking maybe I could just cut them in half ?
 
That was an idea. My plan is to take about 6 inches off the doors this off season. Thanks! I also have the square throwable floatation. Think maybe these could work too if life jackets worked for you
 
Matt~


Just one more thought: Both port and starboard flaps do not need to be the same height. I think it's important to have the "back" - the upwind side you are not shooting over - be tall enough to hide your silhouettes completely from on-coming birds. The "front" - the downwind shooting side - just needs to be tall enough to hide your faces when you're hunkered down getting ready to shoot.


Also, the back flap can be solid - mine was 1/4-inch plywood - to break the wind on our necks and backs. You could also just fastened canvas on the back flap's inside to get the same protection. Much warmer than an open screen!


All the best,


SJS

 
Matt,
Steve brought up the use of spackle buckets. Might I add you can buy Gama lids for them which are screw on/ off and are water tight. Typically used for food storage with food grade buckets.
They sell them at Lowes and Home Depot.

Here is a link:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Bucket-Companion-5-gal-and-3-5-gal-Screw-Top-Bucket-Lid-in-Black-LD5GRLBK006/303808738

Zane
 
Thanks! I was sitting on milk crates last season, but wanting to get a lot lower. High tide my profile was way taller than my surroundings and stuck out a little bit. Was either thinking cut a milk crate in half, or just sit on a cushion
 
I'm with Steve, put canvas over the boards to break the wind. Try a pool cleaning service for bucket. They usually have screw on lids, different sizes for different chemicals.
Shooting two is tough, keep your eyes open for another boat to refurbish. I like hunting with another boat [safety] or tow a marsh box.
You could make a bi fold flap to store while underway. You have a few days to experiment before next season. Go to a furniture store and get cardboard and duct tape to make throw away patterns.
 
If you are cutting down a milk bucket,. Rather that turn if upside down I would put a top on it. That would allow for a little storage.
In the past when I wanted to sit a little higher I used a tool box which doubled as a gunning bag.
 
While not quite as low as you want to go I really like this seat:
Amazon.com : Wise Outdoors Super Sport Hunting Seat with Insulated Cooler. (( Improved Version. )) : Sports & Outdoors

The backrest, and dry storage are really nice, but mostly I like the swivel. It allows me to see better without so much movement of my body. I thought about going lower, and think I could cut down the base, and glue the bottom inside as the box is slightly tapered. At the very least, I am sure I could remove a section and glue it back together to keep the bottom water resistant.
 
I use a cut down milk crate and the (old style) momarsh invislounge, though i don't have a southbay. Hunting two adults side by side is pretty tight. I used to sit on a throwable pfd seat cushion way back when I had a southbay.

vWejnBE.jpg


In my my boat my seats are set up so the flappers are at my nose and I just hunch down if I want to hide a bit better when birds are working. Proves pretty deadly.

rSiDCkZ.jpg

 
I think the important part of Steve's suggestion is that you get your butt up so your legs are under you instead of in front (cramped). Sticking up a little isn't the worst thing as long as they don't see you move. That's why I'm looking for something for the kid and I. And dog
 
Yes exactly. The way I did it the past season, the doors were a little tall and when in the down position sometimes dragged in the water if it got a little choppy
 
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