Duck Boat Build - What I've Got So Far

thebaron

thebaron

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Zegema Beach
I'm in the process of building a duck boat for our backwoods swamp/creek. The water can get pretty shallow and there's floating bogs everywhere. I've tried navigating with a small outboard and a trolling motor but the mud, stumps and shallow water make it impossible so I took the plunge and started a summer project. Pics are kind of big, sorry!

I picked up a mud motor kit and a 6.5hp horiz shaft engine, and added pontoons to the side of the boat to help stabilize it when shooting.


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Motor all painted up

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Pontoons

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"Mojo" style decoy mounted to boat.


The only thing I have left to do is mount my scissor dugout blind to the boat and I'm good for the fall!
 
Nice build! Have you considered using an electric engine? I mean, with the noise, won't the ducks for a mile around be scared off?
 
Grawfr said:
Nice build! Have you considered using an electric engine? I mean, with the noise, won't the ducks for a mile around be scared off?
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We tried with an electric trolling motor but the water is too shallow and it bottoms out, that's why we need the long tail mud motor.
We can make pretty much all the noise in the world heading in, it doesn't seem to bother the ducks they still fly over like a freeway once the sun starts coming up/going down.
 
the spank said:
Pretty cool. Now if I may ask? Why is the mojo mounted to the boat? And are your pontoons able to flip up and in for travelling so they don't hit trees or snag on reeds, grass etc.?
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I find having the mojo on the boat helps distract from any movement coming from us. I have noticed better results (not HUGE, but better) with the mojo placed near the hunters. Maybe it was a total fluke and I'm totally wrong, if that's the case it's a handy spot to store it :D

Ether way, movement won't be a big issue when I get the full flip up blind built anyway.

For now the pontoons don't move but I'm working on a flip up system for them as we speak, just need to come up with a design that won't be flimsy, I should have something in a week or so I think.
 
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Would love to see your blind system. I have a 10' jon for my little creek that is basically just a shooting platform - the banks of the river are too steep to sit against and too high to sit on top.
 
killswitch said:
Is that an sps long tail kit?
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Yes sir! One of the "small" kits. I had it out on the lake last weekend. The motor was fantastic but it was so windy there were whitecaps so it was too much for the little boat. I drove it around a little but I had to bring it in the waves were splashing in to the boat!

I'm going to try it again this weekend if the water is smoother.
 
thebaron said:
Yes sir! One of the "small" kits. I had it out on the lake last weekend. The motor was fantastic but it was so windy there were whitecaps so it was too much for the little boat. I drove it around a little but I had to bring it in the waves were splashing in to the boat!

I'm going to try it again this weekend if the water is smoother.
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let me know how the test goes, Ive been interested in buying one but have been nervous about a few issue's. What do you think about the quality of the parts? also if you dont mind me asking how much did your shipping/duty fees end up costing?
 
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