I know the season is not over yet, but I am already planning on next season. I am hoping to be able to have a boat by next year and was wondering what you guys think would be minimum size for a duck boat. Let's say a 12 foot jon boat, just as a reference.

If it is just you and a dog or another hunter, 12' is okay. I have an 11'3" Bass tender with a 9.9 that does fine for where I normally go.

Also depends if you are crossing big water and if there is any standing timber.

To be honest, I am leaning toward a 14 footer. We hunt mostly at Choke, but I want to start going down to the coast as well. I don't want too small of a boat, but I am not interested in a monster either. Something that will not be overloaded with all the equipment, but won't be hard to maneuver in tight spots as well. I was thinking somewhere along 10-15hp, but that's why I am looking for suggestions. I don't want to be underpowered.

I had a 14ft with a 15hp outboard and that thing was a pig loaded down.

If you are going to do it...Might as well get a 16'...

Any smaller and you are asking for problems if you take that to the coast...

Been there done that, sunk that 14' boat!

J.J.

You are the only one that knows your hunting style, but from the years I can tell you get more than you think you need, if nothing more it a safety thing. Not enough motor can get you in trouble real fast, along with low sides.

Where do you plan to hunt with your new boat? How many people/dogs/ supplies are you going to take? Where can you store it during the "offseason"? How much boating experience do ya have? Many more questions you need to answer before purchasing but I could find you one. Now will that be cash or check?

whiskey is right about boat size, you shouldnt buy anything smaller than 16. Especially if your planning on hunting the coast.

A 16' with a 25hp would probabally be a great rig for you

I have a 15 foot Modified V. it has a 25 H yammy.
It is perfect for 4 people. it has thicker aluminum than flatbottom boats have. we do not use it for duck hunting. we use it running lines and fishing in rivers.
it can run in about 1 1/2 feet of water with the motor trimmed down. if you want to go shalower it has a shallow water lever on it where you can go i about 10 inches of ater.
or with the motor trimmed up you can go in about 4 inches.
it sits about 1 inch deeper that a flatbottom. But it takes on rough water better.
it is very easy to move through tight places.
I would highly reccomend a Modified V. because if you are hunting the coast. it is wider and sturder (spelling).

I agree get bigger than you think you will need, I hunt a lot of big water. I have a 17.5 foot war eagel with a 50 horse on it and I wish I had got a 18.5 footer with a 90 or bigger. If you go across big water and its calm and hunt for a few hours and the wind gets up to 20 mph or more its hell going back to the ramp especialy in a small boat. at least get a 16ft with a 25 horse if your going to go across big water it is just to dangerus in anything samller.

I'm very happy with my 17' w/40 on it. It hauls the 4 of us, plus dog, gear, blind, etc around great and even has room for all of us to fish out of it.

16ft is starting to sound about where I need to look. There are still a few things I need to consider, and everyone has made some really good points. I appreciate all the input.

No problem.

Also make sure you don't get to narrow of a beam.