??Versatile Duck boat

[Carl Guay]

I'm looking for some input and ideas before I purchase a duck boat. My only real experience gunning over decoys is sea duck hunting. What I'm looking for now is a duck boat I can use to hunt puddlers and divers in the salt water marshes as well as some of the marshes, ponds and rivers inland. Most of the time I'm alone with my Lab but I'm looking for something that could handle two men and a Lab. I prefer it to be fiberglass construction and be able to get into some shoal water but get me there safely. Is this to tall an order?

Thanks Carl

 

[Bob B]

No, not to tall at all.

May ducks have been shot out of boston whaler type hulls. The Carolina Skiff works too. IF glass is the material of choice.

Neither of these boats is great in a big blow up, but work fine if handled with some brains at the tiller.

Paint it up with a dark mud and green rock color and make the blind out of something lighter and you will fit right in on any new england rock or marsh shoot.

If you want a Cadillac buy a Bankes boat.

http://www.banksboats.com/

 

[Jim Bucko]

Take a look at the Mighty Layout Boys Gunship. Also it is smaller boat and not rated for 2 guys but the BBSB Chuck Huff is a sweet boat for the marshes but can be used in the open water as a layout as well.
http://www.mightylayoutboys.com/domino/mlb/MLB_products.nsf/88c8931aaec070e185256a9c00038c5e/5375aca363bed64e852570b3006f8f1d?OpenDocument
Jim/Fowlfishing

 

[Ned Helm]

Given your location and type of hunting there was one boast DESIGNED for you and that is the TDB 14. It was designed and built in Maine by the Clark Borthers, Dean and Bill (I actually they were from Mass but that is another story) I gunned out of one all over New England and then when finances permitted added a TDB 17 to the inventory. These boats are expensive but SAFE and they perform beautifully as far as actual shooting is concerned. Also there is absolutely no reason to be miserable while hunting. The TDBs are warm and allow you to shoot unprotected spots that others can only dream about. Some will say it is not TRADITIONAL enough.....I have rescued at least 4 layout/Merrymeeting type boats with my 14..so much for traditional. Also the 14 will go about anywhere...it draws a few inches and will just about slide on wet grass. I actually dragged one a long way when I was on Great Bay in NH when I "got the tide wrong". Nice boats...