Southbay Duckboat

C

Capt Rich Geminski

Well-known member
Anybody have pictures of a older Southbay boat? Was at Paul's house and checked out his boat. He has the newer one with the squared off bow. Trying to restore a old boat and all the wood is long gone, also the motor mount. I know the mount should be at a angle. Any one know that angle? What kind of wood for the grass rails. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.
Paul's boat is really rigged nice. Really nice grass job. Nice Labs too.
 
Rich,

We have one in the fleet. Here are some photos of it in action. I don't remember what year it is.
9A.jpg

12A.jpg

I have a friend that has an older one but I can't remember if the bow is rounded. I'll stop by his house and take some photos for you. As far as grass rails, the only thing I use is Mahogany. I cut strips 3/4" X 3/4" and router the edges with a 1/4 round bit. They hold up great and it also give you and your dog something to grab. I'm not sure of the angle so I'll measure that also.
 
Hunted out of an original for years, still have a few friends that do. My dad had one of the first ones in NJ from John and Ray and his is in one of the pictures from the original ad that is hosted on the old DHBP site.

The ad:

southbaysales.jpg


Shot from the same day that photo was taken:

Southbay.jpg


We used oak for replacing the grass rails and mahogany for the transom. We also laid some additional glass in the bottom to stiffen it up as we ran a 25 on it.

We killed a lot of birds out of that boat.

P2100080.jpg


dixiecrusier.jpg

 
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x2 on the Mahogony rails, have hunted out of a southbay my whole life. Best and most versital boat for the LI marshes. Dry ride too, been out in many 30 to 40 mph winds.
duck2010new006.jpg

PB240017.jpg

 
Thanks gentlemen for all your pics. Any one know where the serial # was on the original boats? Think this was a first or second year production. The cockpit is about 56 x 31", small compared to the new one.
If some one has time, I need the height above the deck to the top of the motor mount. Don't want it too high as the motor looks odd. What do you sit on to shoot? In my Jersey boat I had a backboard to lean against. It was really low.
If anyone has more pics I'd really appreciate it. Learning alot from the pics about grassing.
 
I believe the serial number was molded into the hull on the inside of the motor cutout.

I always hunted with two guys out of the boat, either sitting on a seat cushion or on the floor shooting off the side. You could use a momarsh or similar type seat too or if you were shooting over the engine like a sneakbox.

Do you have any pictures of the new design? I wasn't aware they had changed the molds.
 
Thanks gentlemen for all your pics. Any one know where the serial # was on the original boats? Think this was a first or second year production. The cockpit is about 56 x 31", small compared to the new one.
If some one has time, I need the height above the deck to the top of the motor mount. Don't want it too high as the motor looks odd. What do you sit on to shoot? In my Jersey boat I had a backboard to lean against. It was really low.
If anyone has more pics I'd really appreciate it. Learning alot from the pics about grassing.
Click to expand...
16" total from bottom to top and 5 1/2" from top deck to where the engine sits. I hunt with a back board as well and a comfy cushion under my butt.
 
Rich, if you doa search on SJ Craigslist, there is one for sale right now for $2750. The seller has three photos of the boat in his add. He put die-cut camo fabric over the hull down to the grass rails along the sides. Then it appears he has tied loose bundles of grass to some of the die-cut. Looks kinds of like what Rob Robertson did to his new Bankes Intruder.

Looked like a good idea, but I would probably think of putting small-ish canvas dodger up front that is so popular with many of the sneak boats.

They look like a really cool boat. Wild like to run into one in person.

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Uncle Rich, I bought the Momarsh Invisilounge at www.momarsh.com. The seat is closed cell foam so it wont absorb water, its camoflage, it floats and it also has several different angles it can be set to for your comfort. Blows away a back board...

If you measure the outboard you have, I believe it's a 15 inch shaft. The height of the motor mount should allow the cavitation plate to be level with the bottom of the hull. Thats the way it is on my boat.
 
The motor boards are 16" total so we can draw as little as possible. Alot of guys who's boards are 15" still shim their motors to 16" I have had mine to 17" but it would catch air in rough weather.
 
Had to order mahogany for the grass rails and marine plywood for the floor and flaps. Have to make motor mount also. Anyone put a drain in the boat? Where did you place it? Don't like water freezing in the hull. Where can I get dark trim for the cover locally, Long Island?
Pictures you guys sent are helpful, keep them coming.
 
I never liked the idea of putting a drain in my boats, never had enough water in the boat to worry about freezing, it it does there is plenty of room for it to expand and no worries about cracking the hull.
 
Well finally got the boat and cover painted. Found water in the rear of one compartment. Drilled drain, lots of water. Was filled with water when I got it. Decided against the drain plug as you guys said. Going to cut out the side boards today and glue up the motor mount, 2". One more coat for the floor.
Anyone lock the cover on their boat? Any suggestions? How about handles? Did the bow hook have a ring in it, my boat ring won't take a 5/8 line. Thinking of putting a ring in it for towing and winch.
Thanks for all the pics and suggestions. Maybe I'll see you guys out there.

Small diversion, Scallop season. Got a bushel last night, dinner tonight.
 
Rich:
I have hunted in my South Bay Boat over 20 seasons, purchased it at the old N Y National Decoy Show. I have shot more birds then the guys in the floating duck blinds due to the low profile of the boat, which can blend in with the marsh grasses. Great also to go where the birds are. As for the boats serial number, it is stamped in the recessed motor mount area. The most stable boat I have shot out of. Only had to replace thach rails with red oak, which I steamed to contour fit the hull.
Have a Great Hunting Season, Your Hunting Friend, Dave D.
 
Pretty much a one man boat, small cockpit. Glad to hear you are getting the boat ready Uncle Rich, wished I lived closer so I could help out. We have a few spots to hit this season, I can't wait!
 
I leave my boats in the water all season long and never locked the cockpit, it stays on snug. My boat does have a ring on the bow, comes in handing when waling it in the shallows and stuff. The pontoons in the back will fill up with water from the engine hitting at shallow tilt, but a block of 2x4 in each corner will stop that. Im itching to hunt, the boats all grassed and will splash it thanksgiving morning.
 
Have been working all week on the boat. Chris's dad has helped me from day one. Has a great wood shop. Took the boat to his house to work on. Chris came over today and helped to finish the painting and cutting the grass rails. Styarting on the trailer tomorrow and bending the grass rails. Another trip to the trailer shop.
Chris is going to post progress pictures soon [posting pics isn't my thing], gun repair is, shooting too.
 
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