Southbay boat, what to look for in a used one....

Ed L.

Ed L.

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I know several on here hunt from the Southbay boat or another called the Marsh Hawk. I would like to see some photos and hear the pros and cons of the boat if I may ask. I know is a 14'er, about 18" deep and is rated for a 10hp. I've read a few forums that say the hull bottom can feel flimsy and some have modified the hull by adding stringers and or a floor. If someone could address this I would appreciate it. Is $2000 for the boat and trailer(assuming in good shape with no structural issues) a realistic price for a 20 year old Southbay? I know from the Southbay website what a new one goes for. What is different about a new one vs. an old one? Thanks in advance.
 
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I run a southbay with a 15 johnson. My nephew runs a marsh hawk with a 25. I hunt mostly back creeks and do not run very far. In heavy quartering seas I get wet [I'm a big boy, 300 with waders etc]. Can almost stay up to the marsh hawk. The marsh hawk is higher profile, heavier, but takes seas better. Best to look at them and compare. Each has pros and cons.
Look at other boats also. A lot of the guys here have some nice production and home built boats that are really great. One man, two man, dog, # decoys all factors to consider...
 
Everyone likes to point to the website of the current southbay builders as a gauge to price, but I don't even know if they have sold that many in recent years. Everyone I know that runs one has one from the 80s.

The big things to look for are 1. motor board replacement, if it hasn't been done it will need to be, 2. stiffening the floor if you are going to run any higher HP, 3. grass rail replacement, again if it hasn't been done it probably will need to be.

Those are the three things we did on the last one we owned. Once I was in college we sold it and went to sneakboxes.

With the flat bottom you can get into super skinny water but it will pound more in a chop.

This was ours before we sold it,

P2100080.jpg


dixiecrusier.jpg

 
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Ed,

Southbay boats and the Marsh Hawk are two different boats as Rich has mentioned.
The Southbay is a great boat but not for big water. They can be a very wet ride. If your hunting skinny water they are great, hide well and have a very low profile.

If your looking at one check the motor board. They will usually need to be replaced on some of the older boats. Real easy job. The cockpit floor is fine the way they are but some guys like to stiffen them up by adding stringers. Most times it is not nessessary but the floors do flex. Not a problem if your running the recommended horse power but if you go up in power it may not be a bad idea. Next is floatation or lack of in some older boats. It can also be added easy enough but before you do run some wires up to the bow so you can add navigation lights.

They are said to be a two man boat but as you can see from the photos, hunting two guys out of one does not leave much room. They are ok if you want to bring someone along that will get out of the boat when you arrive at your spot but I would perfer to use it as a one man one dog gunning boat.

I hope this helps and if you need any additional info or photos let me know.

The Southbay is the first boat in tow












 
Do yourself a favor and look at the DuckBoss 13.The DB 13 is 10 times the duck boat the Southbay is.

If you have any specific questions about the 13 don't hesitate to ask.

Good Luck
Bob
 
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I know several on here hunt from the Southbay boat or another called the Marsh Hawk. I would like to see some photos and hear the pros and cons of the boat if I may ask. I know is a 14'er, about 18" deep and is rated for a 10hp. I've read a few forums that say the hull bottom can feel flimsy and some have modified the hull by adding stringers and or a floor. If someone could address this I would appreciate it. Is $2000 for the boat and trailer(assuming in good shape with no structural issues) a realistic price for a 20 year old Southbay? I know from the Southbay website what a new one goes for. What is different about a new one vs. an old one? Thanks in advance.
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Another boat for the fleet. I thought the wifey put an end to fleet expansion Ed?

Mark W
 
John and Craig,


Thanks for the insight and the photos. I have located one of these SB's here in the Midwest within a few hours drive. Before I contacted the owner I did some research into the current company before this guy has the chance to tell me what they are going for new. The company today, although posting income that you can live on are not selling enough to be any more than a hobbie business as Craig mentions.


I did receive a reply from the owner of the boat stating he replaced the transom board and repainted the boat. He mentions that he's had it in the water once but has no use for the boat. There is one thing that he has not responded to yet and this is I asked if the boat and trailer is registered in his name. He did state the boat was acquired through a trade. Since I've been down this road before and having to jump through so many hoops trying to get a boat registered in my name I'll probably pass if the boat is not in his name.
 
Bob,


I did get the info on the Duckboss 13 as it's also one I've been thinking of. I'm glad you like yours.
 
Mark,


The wife got a mink coat for Christmas. I think she's expecting me to show up with another boat....hehehe
 
I know several on here hunt from the Southbay boat or another called the Marsh Hawk. I would like to see some photos and hear the pros and cons of the boat if I may ask. I know is a 14'er, about 18" deep and is rated for a 10hp. I've read a few forums that say the hull bottom can feel flimsy and some have modified the hull by adding stringers and or a floor. If someone could address this I would appreciate it. Is $2000 for the boat and trailer(assuming in good shape with no structural issues) a realistic price for a 20 year old Southbay? I know from the Southbay website what a new one goes for. What is different about a new one vs. an old one? Thanks in advance.
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Ed
I purchsed mine fall of 2013 for 1000.00 boat and trailer, in good shape.
I put new hubs, bearings,races, seals and tires on the trailer
And I need to add foam, wiring, grass rails and a dodger to the boat.
Hope this helps.
 
I had one, sold it, glad it's gone, lol. They have some issues that I eluded to in a post a couple pages back.
If you want the particulars, PM me, I don't want to overly upset the guys that love them. :)
 
Rich,

I went back and searched the rebuild you and your nephew did on your Southbay. You did a great job. It's the history waterfowling boats that brings me to look for a boat such as this or the Barnegat bay type boats but in reality in my area it's mostly stationary blind hunting or big water hunting. We have no grass marshes like John shows in his photos. We have a couple of small marshes but they are over used and crowded. The best I have is backing up to an island or early season Lilly pads. Here on the Mississippi river to get to some grass areas where this boat would shine is a 5 hour drive north. I'll give this a lot of thought.
 
Thanks Patrick, How did you like hunting from you boat? I went back and looked at your post. Did you do any mods to your boat?
 
George,

I did go and search the archives and found where you responded to Patrick's post. I'll keep what you mentioned in my mind as I think this one through.
 
Ed,
Have you been up to Phowler in Clinton, Iowa? Just put the $2K on a bullet proof hull sneakboat. They are right up the road from you.
 
Thanks Patrick, How did you like hunting from you boat? I went back and looked at your post. Did you do any mods to your boat?
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I did not hunt with it this year. I need a motor, i'm looking at a suzuki 20hp efi.
I also want to add foam and lights, maybe open water paint job. I got some great advice for capt rich. I also hunt big river water (niagara river close to niagara falls). I want to practice with the boat setting dekes and getting the dog in and out before the waters 32 degrees and ice. First boat I've owned so want to be able to handle everything that needs to be done and do it safely.
 
i own both boats ( bay and hawk) the flex in the floor is usely from broken ribs. builder of bay screw floor boards to ribbing and water gets in rots oak that is encased in glass causing rib to crack. the stakes are also wood enclosed in glass when ribs crack hull starts working on stakes and they crack. it becomes a big repair (done a few). the hull is usely pretty solid. i have broken much ice with this boat and also run a 25 hp on it for the last 8 to 10 yrs. the transom is ply so it does need some tlc over years. it is a one man and dog boat. i do carry 2 and dog. with aquapod in tow with no problems for second gunner to hunt from. i would pull floor bds and flex hull to see if ribs move on older boats hope this helps, rick
 
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