Looking into layout boats ......advice needed

GOUMFACH

GOUMFACH

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I am looking into getting a layout boat. Shoreline spots close to me are becoming a pain in the donkey to hunt. I was out hunting in open water yesterday but didnt have much success. I think my 14 boat with a Beavetail blind stuck out too much. I was thinking about getting a layout boat that I could haul out on or behind my boat with all my gear, I could leave the boat on one of a few shoals out in the middle of the lake and I could then paddle the layout boat into position a short distance from the boat. The lake can get rough and I'm not the slimmest of men so stability is very important. Any suggestions on a layout rig I could paddle or row ? I hunt solo so I need it to be mobile to pick up ducks.
thanks
 
I used to shoot from a flat bottom Jon. No blind, I would set a gym mat on the floor to keep myself off the cold floor, then drape a camo net over each end overhanging the sides and close in the top around myself with the netting after setiing up my decoys and anchoring from each end into position. I would sit on the floor using the boats gunnel as a backrest. Shot lots of divers that way. Just pull up anchor, fire up the engine and pick up your birds. Worked well and didn’t need two boats that way.
 
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Tx spank,that might be the ticket. Smaller jon boats are pretty low in the water, I saw some guys convert small sailboats into duck boats, if I could get me hands on a cheap one it could be another option.

@ mw mb...maybe over the winter I will look into building something of my own. Tx.
 
nw mb said:
ever thought of building your own?

http://www.boatdesigns.com/15-Scull-Boat-sculling-duck-boat/products/487/

i build their DBT and really like it
Click to expand...

Ahhh, the Glen -L design.
We built a couple of their sail boats in the basement back in Sea Scout Days.
10th Richmond...
Very easy design and plans a re great too.
I wouldnt go out in any water in a Jon Boat.
Very narrow for size and shallow wich is good.
But, to dam narrow and shallow for big water for a big guy.
Guys out West build their lay=out boats and have big motors of up to 25hp on them.
Rob
Rob
 
You won't be able to paddle a true layout boat.

Divers will decoy to your boat blind fine. Puddle ducks no so much usually.

Grass the Beavertail blind really well. Also, try and keep something behind you to break it up a bit more. Reeds, shoreline, island, etc.
 
FLHTCUI said:
Ahhh, the Glen -L design.
We built a couple of their sail boats in the basement back in Sea Scout Days.
10th Richmond...
Very easy design and plans a re great too.
I wouldnt go out in any water in a Jon Boat.
Very narrow for size and shallow wich is good.
But, to dam narrow and shallow for big water for a big guy.
Guys out West build their lay=out boats and have big motors of up to 25hp on them.
Rob
Rob
Click to expand...

Really?? I have to question if you have ever owned a larger Jon boat then or likely even been in one? Your opinion sounds more based on a perceived notion than actual experience to me?
I ran mine on Nipissing for 13 seasons and never once felt I was in any danger and rode through some pretty rough weather! Not all Jons are narrow! Mine was a 14’ with 72” beam and 48” wide floor and front deck and sported a 25 Merc. My buddy had the same boat in a 16’. Honestly they were the two most stable shooting platforms I ever shot from in water aside from a permanent blind! And whats your definition of a big guy? I’m 5’10” @350lbs and those boats made me feel safe and kept me dry in the waves.

Buddy of mine in my boat back in the 90’s.
 
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nw mb...maybe over the winter I will look into building something of my own. Tx.

...it's an easy and cheap build...and a heck of a lot of fun to build and use...and stable...and floats like a feather...easy to propel

zq1G2mS.jpg
 
GOUMFACH said:
That looks awesome !!
Click to expand...

...thanks

...i use some short vertical black pvc along the inner gunwale and a top support string that netting with grass attaches to, so runs bow to stern and is flexible so the dog can get out and in easily (he's not very good running the motor yet!) and sticks up about a foot and drapes over the side to the water...sometime i crouch and sometimes i cover myself totally...just depends on how i feel...only took me a couple of weeks to build in the winter and then i glassed it in the spring...glen-l has a double-ended duck boat if you aren't using a motor, but i use a 30# thrust electric once i'm out and just want to putz around...it's a great combo
 
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