Duck Boat

RailRoadRetrievers · May 7, 2007

Looking at buying a duck hunting and fishing boat. Looked at Cabelas and Bass Pro. Do you guys have any advice for what is a good brand and where to get one from?

I want a stable boat, that you can move around in without fear of flipping it over or something stupid. I thought about really wide, and deep, would make it more stable. It needs to be able to get into some more shallow waters also.

I actually just started really looking into this today. Also, if you got word on a good used boat, let me know.

Gun_Dog2002 · May 7, 2007

I got a car topper that I might be willing to part with. Works great behind the RV....

/Paul

RailRoadRetrievers · May 7, 2007

Not exactly what I was looking for but will keep you in mind. I suppose a trailer doesn't come with this one?

huntingrdr · May 7, 2007

Check out the G3 boats if you are looking for a fishing/duck hunting rigs. My buddy has a center console aluminum and works awesome for fishing and duck hunting.

Danno · May 7, 2007

How can you miss that four wheel trailer?

Danno · May 7, 2007

Aaaaa sorry, 6-wheeled trailer.

Cut em_Jack · May 8, 2007

Gator Trax! I got one recently and its the most stable boat I have ever been in that does well in shallows and big water. I am very very happy with it.

2labs · May 8, 2007

What are some other things to look for in a good boat and things to stay away from?
Is welded the way to go or riveted?
Dave

huntingrdr · May 8, 2007

Also check out prodriveoutboards.com

Illinois Bob · May 8, 2007

I just bought a Lund like this one.I replaced my 20 year old red Lund for the same size and model.I figured,new dog,what the hell,new boat.It's a good boat for the things I do.My old one was great it was just getting old.Check out thier website.

DH · May 8, 2007

I have a 16 ft G3 and love it.

A lot depends on where you hunt and fish. A deep V hull will be more stable but will have trouble in shallow water. To a lesser extent the same is true of longer and wider boats. Also, how many guys are you going to have in it at a time? You can't really hunt more than two out of mine once you get all the gear in. If you were to set the dekes you could go back to shore for a third guy but it is a little crowded.

Remember, all boats get smaller once you use them. I wish I had an 18 or 20 footer but the 16 was too good a deal to pass up.

The new G3 boats have more storage built into them, something I wish I had.

Tracker makes nice boats as well.

You defiinitely want welded, it will hold up better over time.

DH

LabsNGoldens · May 8, 2007

can't beat an open carolina skiff w/ a custom blind on it!

I used to have a G3 too and they are definatley good boats.

kb27_99 · May 8, 2007

Depending on what your goals are and where your going these are hard to beat!

http://www.prodriveoutboards.com/home.htm

Kevin

Ken Guthrie · May 8, 2007

Kinda partial to my boat..... :wink:

http://retrievertraining.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=43464

Illinois Bob · May 8, 2007

Ken,which one is yours?That really cool duck boat or the Paddlewheeler?

rds7015 · May 9, 2007

boat

Just got a GO Devil boat. They are built in Lo. I live on the southern Gulf Coast. The boat has gone through ankle deep water, it has been through areas that other boats have not been able to get to.
The boat runs better in shallow water than deeper water. I bought the boat to duck hunt in. It came with a blind, the motor is a 25 hp.

There are several boat builder who build the same kind of boat.
PS, my son and I went out fishing today and we caught 5redfish, 4 drun, and one sea trout, in about 2 hrs. Again we were where the other boats could not get.

Good luck

Jim S

2labs · May 12, 2007

DH said:
I have a 16 ft G3 and love it.

A lot depends on where you hunt and fish. A deep V hull will be more stable but will have trouble in shallow water. To a lesser extent the same is true of longer and wider boats. Also, how many guys are you going to have in it at a time? You can't really hunt more than two out of mine once you get all the gear in. If you were to set the dekes you could go back to shore for a third guy but it is a little crowded.

Remember, all boats get smaller once you use them. I wish I had an 18 or 20 footer but the 16 was too good a deal to pass up.

The new G3 boats have more storage built into them, something I wish I had.
Tracker makes nice boats as well.

You defiinitely want welded, it will hold up better over time.

DH

DH, are you talking about a Jon boat or a different style of boat. What boat are you suggesting. I am trying to get a boat to take on some small lakes to fish and something to duck hunt and dog train out of.

Dave

DH · May 12, 2007

It is basically a glorified jon boat with a side console and an areated livewell. It has a front and back deck that seats mount on for fishing, we use them to hunt too. It handles the Potomac well and the shallow areas of the Chesapeake bay. If I were doing it over I'd buy the 18 footer, not just because it is longer but because it is wider too. I knew that going in though. We got a great deal, the boat had sat on a dealer's lot for 2 years and he wanted rid of it. Some guy ordered in in camo and when it came the motor wasn't camo so he wouldn't pay for it. We just throw some burlap over the motor.

Here's a link to the current ones, as I said they have more storage than mine--which you will use. I like the side console because it is out of the way when hunting but some guys like the center console, personal preference thing. Mine is the 1652, with a 40 horse motor and a high power troller. As I said, I'd get the 18 or 19 if I was doing it over.

http://www.g3boats.com/GatorToughSeries/GatorTough_Jons/

If you are looking used then Tracker, G3, War Eagle and Lund all have similar offerings.

DH

RailRoadRetrievers · May 16, 2007

Have any of you heard of or own a duck manufactured by Duck Boat Masters? They are located in East Texas and will custom make your boat exactly the way you want it. I heard they are cheaper to purchase one of them than at Bass Pro or Cabelas because they are the manufacturer. Any body heard of'em?

Perch_44 · May 17, 2007

are you looking to put a mudmotor or outboard on this boat? because that can make a huge difference on what style boat you consider. if you are planning on putting a mudmotor on it, then stay away from v-hulls, and large production boats - tracker, g3, etc. you will be better off going with a custom built mud boat.

check out www.midwestoutboard.com they build a boat that is shallow running but also designed for the rough water we run into up here, and it is a good dual purpose boat. its the Master Fowler series.

Duck Boat

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