duck boat question

[redfish]

Hi,

I moved recently from Houston Tx to Bellevue WA.  After reading all the past topics on hunting waterfowl in WA...it seems like getting a boat might be the best option.  I don't need a dual purpose boat as I already have a NR Sea hawk for fishing the sound (salmon, halibut, lings).  Since I currently own a larger heavier boat...whats the best option for a dedicated duck boat for the coastal marshes near Bellevue and trips over to the east side (moses, snake river).  Also, why is the question of pump vs prop so split?   I really would only be hunting with 2 guys and 2 dogs max (80% prob just me and my dog).

[jgoetz]

First, pump vs. prop is a wide open question.  Depends a lot on preference and also what environment you hunt in.  Benefit of a pump is you don't have to worry about beating the prop all to hell when you hit submerged logs and such. 

The kind of boat you are going to be looking for can vary.  If you plan on hunting big water for chit ducks you want a bigger boat.  If you are out in the bays hunting puddlers the average guy runs something in the neighborhood of 12 to 16 foot.  Then usually stashes the boat about 60 yards or more from their spread.  I tend to stay off the big water and run a small 8 footer with electric motor.  I have a bunch of friends that hunt the bay with marsh rats and aqua pods though as well. 

[L-ofalab]

I run a pump, there are a few good things besides the no banged up prop. You don't have to raise the engine every time you pull the boat right up to the shore, and we hunt out of the boat with an attached blind so we are always right up against the shore. When it is below freezing you aren't lifting the lower unit out of the water so you don't have to worry about the water pump freezing. When running in the dark I have hit sticks and even logs with no damage.

Now the worst part about pumps is having to pull weeds out of the intake, you have to raise the engine far enough to be able to reach the intake and it will be out behind the boat pretty far. My pump doesn't have a neutral just forward/reverse. Pumps get worse fuel economy because they aren't as efficient. Pumps need about 25% more HP to do the same speed as a prop.

I run a 75 HP on a 16 foot Hewescraft, it is very stable. 2 hunters (big guys-450lbs together) can stand on the side of my boat loaded or not and it will not take on water. We haul 60 goose floaters and a few dozen ducks plus 4 guns and at least 1 dog.

[duckkillerclyde]

 

[duckkillerclyde]

A jet can do everything a prop can do.

A prop can't do everything a jet can do.

A jet will be less efficient on fuel and hp.  If you can't afford the extra fuel in the boat......find a new hobby. 

[AWS]

When I cam out here 25 yrs ago I brought a square stern canoe and 3hp motor, it could carry a pretty good load of decoys and go just about anywhere and I didn't need a ramp to launch.  Still have it, being an ex minnesotan it's hard to exist without a canoe handy.

I brought my jon boat/duck boat out here and upgraded it for hunting out here on the coast and it works well for me.  It is fully enclosed and lock able so I can just park it and go coyote or pheasant hunting and not worry about my gear disapearing.  It will go many places even a sled won't go because it is small and I can jump out and walk it through shallow or narrow waterwys.




A couple years ago I traded a coyote rifle for a Marshrat and upgraded it to fit my needs.  It is handy like the canoe goes anywhere and you don't need a ramp to launch.  In the old days I used to run large spreads of decoys but am finding that just a small spread works just as well if you can be where they want to be.  I like this one also because it will slide into my van under the bunk and I can still stay in the van plus I can just leave it there during hunting season and just go hunting.



The 3hp from the canoe was a little big for the rats so I picked up a 17 lb. 2hp for it, perfect
.


You pretty much have to decide what type of water you want to hunt .  I hunt alone and like to hunt back out of the way places the canoe or rat could cover 90% of my hunting.  I'm getting older so it is getting harder to hoist the canoe up on the roof.  The jon boat gets fitted a bass seat in the front and e-motor so it gets used for fishing alot also.

[washingtonmuley]

Here is what I run. The big water is no joke!!!!

[scout/sniper]

I have duck hunted in southwest WA my whole life. I hunt small shallow water so the big boats are a problem. My solution was to convert a small bass boat to a hunting boat. It has a very shallow draw and a flat bottom. The semi-vee bow allows for bad weather and waves (not Columbia River sized waves). Weeds are a huge problem in shallow water and a pump was a big mistake for me. I now use a 30hp prop motor and shallow run it in the lillies. It does a great job and I am pleased with the setup. If not for the weeds constantly clogging the intake I would have stuck with the pump because there is much less motor in the water.

[scout/sniper]

Here is what I run. The big water is no joke!!!!

That is a nice rig.

[washingtonmuley]

Thanks

[Netminder01]

I have duck hunted in southwest WA my whole life. I hunt small shallow water so the big boats are a problem. My solution was to convert a small bass boat to a hunting boat. It has a very shallow draw and a flat bottom. The semi-vee bow allows for bad weather and waves (not Columbia River sized waves). Weeds are a huge problem in shallow water and a pump was a big mistake for me. I now use a 30hp prop motor and shallow run it in the lillies. It does a great job and I am pleased with the setup. If not for the weeds constantly clogging the intake I would have stuck with the pump because there is much less motor in the water.

Sick bass boat.

Here's my .02 on this topic. 

I have a Lowe Roughneck w/ a 90 Jet Merc and love it for all things... oddly enough, except for hunting some of the Skagit waters.  The jet is great for running shallow and durable as hell but also sucks up the muck and junk that most waters around here serve up.

I have the boat all rigged up for salmon, bass, rivers, etc but if $$ was not such a pain my ass, I would buy a Mud Buddy specifically for duck hunting.  Over the years I've had or ridden in jets, props and duck/marsh specific conditions and the Mud Buddy (or similar engine) rocks.  Mind you, it's not a motor you want to troll for black mouth with or sneak up on bass, but if your set up is specifically for duck hunting, I'd go with a Mud Buddy type of set up.

Here's my baby.  Year around through ice, salt, flats spilling bass blood, kings, coho, crab, ducks & geese.  Next, I'll tie up the log boom for Seafair and she if she can take on all the rough water!

[crow killer]

Here is what I run. The big water is no joke!!!!

i think Ive seen your boat in a few places

[washingtonmuley]

Here is what I run. The big water is no joke!!!!

i think Ive seen your boat in a few places

Really?

[scout/sniper]

I have duck hunted in southwest WA my whole life. I hunt small shallow water so the big boats are a problem. My solution was to convert a small bass boat to a hunting boat. It has a very shallow draw and a flat bottom. The semi-vee bow allows for bad weather and waves (not Columbia River sized waves). Weeds are a huge problem in shallow water and a pump was a big mistake for me. I now use a 30hp prop motor and shallow run it in the lillies. It does a great job and I am pleased with the setup. If not for the weeds constantly clogging the intake I would have stuck with the pump because there is much less motor in the water.

Sick bass boat.

Here's my .02 on this topic. 

I have a Lowe Roughneck w/ a 90 Jet Merc and love it for all things... oddly enough, except for hunting some of the Skagit waters.  The jet is great for running shallow and durable as hell but also sucks up the muck and junk that most waters around here serve up.

I have the boat all rigged up for salmon, bass, rivers, etc but if $$ was not such a pain my ass, I would buy a Mud Buddy specifically for duck hunting.  Over the years I've had or ridden in jets, props and duck/marsh specific conditions and the Mud Buddy (or similar engine) rocks.  Mind you, it's not a motor you want to troll for black mouth with or sneak up on bass, but if your set up is specifically for duck hunting, I'd go with a Mud Buddy type of set up.

Here's my baby.  Year around through ice, salt, flats spilling bass blood, kings, coho, crab, ducks & geese.  Next, I'll tie up the log boom for Seafair and she if she can take on all the rough water!

Thanks!

[scout/sniper]

I have duck hunted in southwest WA my whole life. I hunt small shallow water so the big boats are a problem. My solution was to convert a small bass boat to a hunting boat. It has a very shallow draw and a flat bottom. The semi-vee bow allows for bad weather and waves (not Columbia River sized waves). Weeds are a huge problem in shallow water and a pump was a big mistake for me. I now use a 30hp prop motor and shallow run it in the lillies. It does a great job and I am pleased with the setup. If not for the weeds constantly clogging the intake I would have stuck with the pump because there is much less motor in the water.

Sick bass boat.

Here's my .02 on this topic. 

I have a Lowe Roughneck w/ a 90 Jet Merc and love it for all things... oddly enough, except for hunting some of the Skagit waters.  The jet is great for running shallow and durable as hell but also sucks up the muck and junk that most waters around here serve up.

I have the boat all rigged up for salmon, bass, rivers, etc but if $$ was not such a pain my ass, I would buy a Mud Buddy specifically for duck hunting.  Over the years I've had or ridden in jets, props and duck/marsh specific conditions and the Mud Buddy (or similar engine) rocks.  Mind you, it's not a motor you want to troll for black mouth with or sneak up on bass, but if your set up is specifically for duck hunting, I'd go with a Mud Buddy type of set up.

Here's my baby.  Year around through ice, salt, flats spilling bass blood, kings, coho, crab, ducks & geese.  Next, I'll tie up the log boom for Seafair and she if she can take on all the rough water!

Great duck blind. Re-fitting mine to your style for next season.