The birth of a plan

[ScottCK]

I hunt most of the time with my son and the boat I have is really too much boat for the areas I hunt (if too safe is possible). However, after lurking around here for years I think it is time to look into a father/son project. I would like to know if yall have any ideas on a boat design that would fit the following:

I love the looks of a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox so I would want it to follow those lines

I have a 25hp motor that I would like to use

Hunt 2 people and a dog

Displacement or planning hull? speed is less important than being safe.

Even considering using an old aluminum hull as a starting point but I'm not sure that will meet the idea of having it look like a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox. It would make construction easier (I think)

thoughts? or pictures of something that might fit the above.

 

[Pete McMiller]

Scott, I have a Devlin Designed Black Brandt 3 and it meets your criteria. It's a planing hull. Have hunted two and a 100 lb. Chessie out of it. VERY safe and stable boat. I highly recommend it.

 

[bob Petritsch]

If you can get a copy of Zack Taylor's book, Succeful Waterfowling, he shows a diagram of a Zack Box. It is basically an aluminum boat, decked over with compartments for stool and gunning. Could be just what your looking for.

 

[Steve Sanford]

Good morning, Scott~

Any boat project is fun. Having converted several hulls to gunning boats, (see http://stevenjaysanford.com/sunfish-to-gunning-boat/ and http://stevenjaysanford.com/white-wing-2-man-scooter/ ) I can recommend the conversion approach from both a time and money perspective. Building the hull is the most challenging part of any build.

Here is one I converted from an old Herter's Cartopper (fibreglass) to a 2-man Sneakbox:

We lay side-by-side and shot over the stern. That's my Dad before he quit smoking.

If you will be using a 25-horse, you might as well have a planing hull. No small displacement hull would need all that power.

Now (winter) is a great time to hunt for old hulls. I would check boats abandoned in back yards, boatyards and "free boats" on Craigslist. I lean toward 'glass - because I have little experience with tin powerboats. In any event, look for one with a flat run (no V at transom) and modest deadrise (V) up forward - so you can enjoy shoal draft.

You can start with a hull longer than you need. Just cut it to the length you need and install a new transom. Make sure you have enough beam for your needs.

Hope this helps,

SJS

 

[Carl]

Sounds to me like you need to go see Eric and take a look at his boat, the one that started this page.

 

[ScottCK]

I have Zack Taylor book and look at those plans often. that looks like a good way to go.

Steve, thanks for the links to your builds. It looks like a lot of fun.

There is a boat junkyard near here that I may need to take a look at. Will let yall know if the plan survives (ie if I can convince my wife) the big issue is having a place to put the boat. I pay for storage on the one I have and for storage of my decoys in the off season. Adding an additional storage cost is going to be a hard sell.

 

[Jon Yenulonis]

Check out my build form a couple years ago. This may fit your bill.
http://duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=post_view_flat;post=230960;page=1;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;mh=25;

Jon

 

[CraigS]

Devlin black brant III,

http://devlinboat.com/2015/12/black-brant-iii/


it is a sneakbox style boat,

I run a 25 on mine, 35 would be nice on the days I empty the decoy shed,

Holds 2 guys and a dog with room to spare or 3 people if needed that also depending on how many decoys you bring.

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[ScottCK]

yep, I have seen Eric's boat and it is nice.


Craig, thanks for the photos, 36 Ward style cans are my favorite decoy. photo of part of my rig

 

[Shawn Linn]

do a search of Colin Fitzpatricks post of his duck boss 13. It could fit your needs