Need Duck hunting Boat Advice

[Copperwood]

Hello everyone, I am looking into getting a boat for next year's hunting season. I will probably put a small motor on it and really only need it to fit 2 guys and 1-2 dogs. My questions is what is the best/most affordable? I only need it to be 12-14 ft long, but I want it to support me and my buddies and sit really well in the water. Thanks for the help.
P.s. I'm a broke college kid so I was looking to spend around $1500 on craigslist or something.

[vandeman17]

What kind of water are you looking to use it on? That will make a big difference in what size, hull shape, model etc that you are gonna want to buy.

[h2ofowlr]

I have viewed many in your price range.  Check out Craigslist then make offers from there.  You could get into an older Valco or something with a 6-10hp if you get lucky in the 1500-2000 mark.  That will work good.  Hunted out of 12 aluminum boat for many years in grade school.

[Copperwood]

Thank you, I am looking for one that I could hunt on lakes but also one that would withstand mother nature on the bay or more seaduck hunting.

[washingtonmuley]

If you are going to seaduck hunt then I would look for a bigger than a 12-14ft boat. The bays can get nasty when the wind picks up.

[h2ofowlr]

I would get an 18' or bigger if your going to sea duck hunt.  We about sunk mine last season when the wind picked up suddenly.  Weather called for calm seas and 1-5 knots.  We had 6' plus white caps and rollers.

[vandeman17]

If you are looking to get on bigger lakes, rivers or bays I would def get a bigger boat. Weather can change on you in a hurry and last thing you want to do is get stranded or even worse, to end up in the water.

[Dustin07]

depending on how many decoys you hunt, 12ft may not be comfortable with 2 guys, 2 dogs, guns, decoys, camo, etc.  14ft john would be a good start.

Like the other guys said though, the salt is a whole different beast.

[Sneaky]

My dad and I used to hunt nisqually all the time out of our 14 ft smokercraft and it was about perfect, I'd recommend a boat with semi-high sides if you're thinking about going out in the salts. If you're just hunting the marsh, you'd be fine with a 10-12 ft flatbottom, those are a dime a dozen.

[Special T]

There seems to be a pretty big price jump from 14-16 ft i think it has to do with Cost Guard regs... If it were me i'd get a 12' with a 9.9 no WN number needed no extra $$$ to shell out each year... Only go bigger if you gona hunt from the boat. I'd just use it as transpo.

[Dustin07]

I have a 12ft with a 9.9 and I use it to motor up the river, transport to islands, etc.

I would not go any smaller for river navigation, and its very crowded for 2 guys with all my decoys  and guns in there. adding 2 dogs would be tough, and the idea of hunting out of it with 2 dogs.. maybe, but not comfortable.