Boat for both duck hunting and fishing???
Hey all, so the title pretty much says it... I think I wanna get a boat this year to use for fishing/bird hunting. As far as the hunting goes, I'd prolly almost use it more to get to the hunting thanactually hunt out of it though. There's quite a
few 10-16 footers for sale used wihin driving distance, mostly fishing boats though.
I grew up in a waterskiing/jetski family, so I've spent tons of time in and operating watercraft but never really thought about a smaller boat like this before. I'm guessing flat bottom would be more stable for hunting out of, eh? What min size would fit 2 and occassionally 3 hunters? I was thinking 14' would get the job done nicely. What size motor will be appropriate you think? Thanks.
Cheers, Benji
Dude flatbottom.
a qualified answer would need a few more details filled in.
1)do you hunt moving water; rivers and the like?
some bit of V to the hull is best here, and a flat-front Jon boat is well less than ideal for besting the current.
2) do you hunt shallow waters?
flat-bottoms and mod-Vs allow shallow running. jet-drives can run in only 6" or so....
3)do you need to drive in conditions that may have ice on the surface?
A jet-drive motor will choke on floating ice.
there are many more things to consider...like finding a motor that is known to have readily-available replacement parts, especially props that aren't super expensive...
personally I own a 14' V-bottom with 15HP gamefisher. I hunt the Susquehanna River, and usually have current to deal with. I can really only carry 1 other person and duck decoys (and not too many goose dekes) and at that my combo will not plane out. I wish I went bigger in hindsight.
I have a War Eagle 1436 with a 20 HP mercury 4 stroke. It gets the job done for fishing and duck hunting and seats 3 people max. I bought the cabelas northern flight blind because it is removable so I just take it off after hunting season. Only regret was buying a mercury motor. I have an 09 model and it already has problems. Go with a yamaha or suzuki.
The biggest boat and motor you can get.
Haliaetus brings up some good questions you need to think about.
War Eagle or Express, semi V, 1652 with a 40 hp 4 stroke.
