South Bay Duck Boat Spray Shield

Matt Latini

Matt Latini

Member
Hey guys,

New to this page and love it! I was searching through, but cannot find it. I was wondering if anyone had a lead on where I can I can find a fiberglass spray shield like the original. If anyone knows where I can get one or have one made that would be great! Thank you!
 
Where are you located Matt ? I have taller version of the original windshield that I removed from my SB. I modified the cockpit and I am not planning to reuse the windshield.
Brian
 
Hey Steven,

Definitely! The bigger one would definitely work! I am refurbishing a boat and previous owner had it taken off unfortunately. But I would be more than appreciated if you could help me out!
 
Last edited:
Its rather large not sure if what it would cost to ship it. Let me check to see if there are any other options.
I will PM you details
 
B Garman said:
Its rather large not sure if what it would cost to ship it. Let me check to see if there are any other options.
I will PM you details
Click to expand...

If it doesn't work out for him, consider me second in line, please
 
Good morning, Matt, Jason and Brian~


I shipped a stock spray shield from here (near Albany, NY) to Jersey in March. I think the UPS charge was around $30. The challenge was fabricating a custom cardboard box in which to ship it. I joined two smaller boxes end-to-end with duct tape.


Also, when you mount them to the foredeck - self-tapping panhead screws are sufficient - no need for through-bolting. I have bedded them in 3M 5200 - but you may want to use just a paintable silicon caulk or the like - so they could be more easily removed if needed in the future. In any event, make sure you mount them far enough ahead of the cockpit coaming to that the cockpit cover has space to fit.


Finally, if any of you need thatch rails for your spray shields, I can glue them up on my jig for the correct radius - or I can send you the dimensions if you want to make your own jig.


View attachment sm SS 04 - Clamping thatch rail.JPG



All the best,


SJS





 
Thank you for all the info Steven! Do you still make the shields? My cockpit opening is key shaped, so I have a feeling i might need something made up. Thank you!
 
Good morning, Matt~


Yes, I still make them. Because I use polyester (not epoxy) resin for them, I only do so when the weather allows. Later in May will be fine for such work.


Regarding your key-shaped cockpit: Sounds like it was built by Mike Marran in Bayshore. Do you know the origin of your vessel?


This is one of Mike's:



View attachment F - From stern.jpg



All the best,


SJS

 
Awesome! But I actually do not unfortunately, I will have to do more research, but that is exactly what mine looks like! Do you happen to have any info on this model?
 
Matt~


Mike built these - along with his son I believe - for several years in the 1980s-90s. The keyhole shape was intended to allow two gunners to lay side-by-side when gunning in the open bay - usually for Broadbill.


Mike sent me these rough dimensions few years ago. Mike is still around - I may have seen him as recently as March at the decoy show in Hauppauge.



View attachment F - Sketch plan.jpg



It looks like the forward coaming is a bit wider than the rails. So, the spray shields I make are likely not the correct shape.



(Note: early South Bays had the raised "rib" down the foredeck; later ones are smooth there.)



View attachment Cockpit.JPG



How do you plan to hunt it?


SJS

 
Steven,

I mostly plan to hunt the marshes on the north shore and occasionally south shore of Long Island with 2 gunners. But thank you for the info thats great to know!
 
Good morning, Matt~


I've looked at the photos you sent - and also discussed your project with another member here - Bill Ferrar. Bill and his partners own/have owned several South Bays - including one of the Marran Keyhole-style vessels. I have taken the liberty of posting a couple of your photos here. I am hoping that others will jump in with their creativity about how best to gun 2 guys out of a South Bay/Marran hull.


Bill and I are both concerned that the keyhole as built - with a 38-inch width - does not allow 2 gunners to lay side-by-side and shoot over the stern as designed.


View attachment Keyhole Cockpit 03.jpg



I had to enlarge the cockpit on a 2-man scooter (layout boat) after one season. I do not have the before and after widths - but I'm certain it is much more than 38 inches.


View attachment WW 01.JPG



Here it is with the wider cockpit - ready-to-hunt.


View attachment WW 17.JPG





On your boat, it looks like the previous owner added an external frame that is larger than the cockpit. I am guessing he might have had more "superstructure" that could hide 2 gunners shooting over the side of the boat. Bill thinks this is the only way to gun 2 out of a South Bay comfortably.



View attachment Keyhole Cockpit 02.jpg



I think the larger frame is on the right track. One key decision you will have to make (after deciding whether to shoot over the stern or the side) is how high or low you want to be. Sit down on a cushion - or up on a spackle bucket ? The former is much easier to hide and safer in a big wind - but not quite as comfortable as the latter.


Here is a tall (removable) blind I put on my Sneakbox when gunning with my Dad. Something like this - tall or low - would be fairly easy to add to your boat.



View attachment Cordgrass 3 - SJS Sneakbox + Blind - flaps up.jpg



Here are the key dimensions for a tall add-on blind. Note that the shoulder width for 2 gunners is 60 inches.

View attachment Measured drawings.jpg





Hope this helps - and gets your dreaming/designing wheels turning!


SJS



 
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