http://www.duckwaterboats.com/backwater15.html

I am about 90% of the way to buying one of these boats, has anyone ever seen or been in one?

They look well built and the guy seems very knowledgeable.

Nathan hey I run boats everyday and that is pretty high ,could not tell is that fiberglass?? If so it will not be good in stumps

I have not seen one other than what's shown on their web site.
Says it was designed by a Navy boat designer . . and certainly looks like it, much like a PT boat! Very durable looking.
My concern would be the weight. All the photos show it on a dual or even triple axel trailer. Also show big motors on it.
I have run my little boat up on a mud / sand bar either by accident or on purpose to hide it many times. It's nice to know it's light enough to get it back off! Not sure this one would be.
Not meaning to be a negative Nancy ! It looks really nice!

Whoa there big fella. I know your a man of your own but if your asking advice I'll give it. I think you are going to spend a whole lot of money on something that will limit your abilities. There are a whole list of boats with greater speed, gear carrying capabilities that will run in a bucket of spit.

I say get ahold of homey da clown on here. Let him give you a demo. Or you can get you in touch with a Go-Devil rep in San Antonio. He can take you for a long ride and educate you on the mud motor inofrmation.

I did some mods last year so I can now easily take my boat duck hunting or turn right around and go rip the lips off of some trouts and reds. Way more versatility than just duck hunting in deeper water, as that little boat will only be able to afford you.

Yeah, doesn't look like a boat for around here. Talk to Homey and let him show you some options.

I would rather have an aluminum boat over a fiberglass like that. Its smaller than a typical 15 48 john boat and you are going to lose a lot of space because the sides slant in instead of out like on a john boat.
It seems like he specializes in making ocean boats for diver hunting in coastal waters. I think there are better options for duck hunting in texas.

Check out Gator-Tail's boats

http://www.gator-tail.com/boats.html

I have seen some duckwater boats up on the Eastershore. Those boats are more suited to rivers and bigger water up there than for the stumps and mud down here

I'm planning to check out a new one in a couple of years My Arthur Armstrong has done well for 27 years now , Gator-Tail's boats would be my next choice

That is one tough looking boat. They look nice and from the pics they look well built. There are a lot of things I like about that rig BUT, it would not be for me. The backwater series is the one that would appeal to me the most but the smallest model is 19' long. They look huge and bulky to me. I like the way the did a lot of stuff inside the boat but, it just wouldn't be for me. I have a phowler prowler 14' sneak boat. Same type principle I believe and I love mine. Light, fast (for an 18 hp motor) plenty of room for me and one other plus the dog, and very well built IMHO. And, the price is a little bit closer to what I could stomach. But, All these fellas above are right. Hillbilly said it though, if I would have had the funds I would have gone with a gator trax with a mudbuddy, or a gator tail. Just my opinion. here is a pic of my rig.

Looks kinda like my Riverhawk B52 Duck Boat, only twice the price. Might want to check their website. I love mine.

masagaut- Did you go with the cooperhead SD, phowler is Kind of what I modeled my wood one after

http://phowlerboatcompany.com/?page_id=349


My wood and glass homemade one

Nathan I've had several different duck boat (i.e gator-trax, southfork, Lowes, and even an old monarch)I've ran these in SETX marshes, the big lakes in east texas, and have even dropped a few in a couple of rice fields and hands down my Gator-tail Xtreme is the best overall suited boat for everything I've thrown at it. Great speeds, great in big !water, and unbelievable in shallow water and mud. PM me and I can send u pics

Yeah I went with the copperhead 18 hp model. It moves for such a small motor. My boat is only the 14' model and I get around 25 with just me and the dog with no gear. Phowler claims you can get around 28 or 29 with the 16' prowlwer. Doesn't really make sense to me why (I have had it explained several times to me), but everything they have told me, performance wise, has been spot on. From Copperhead and from Phowler. Also, great people to deal with. That is a sweet looking little rig. I wish I had the skills to build something like that. It would be a lot of fun I bet.

Ok, since my name popped up I'll toss in my nickel.

First of all, Nathan, as others have stated this type of boat is not something that will serve you best down here in the type of terrain Texas has. That boat is more for guys hunting really large lakes or eastern shore where a big, heavy, side-wall enclosed hull offers you the best protection from dangous waves and rough water. The reason that hull is made from 1/4" aluminum is so that it can withstand the pounding it will takes when running big, open waters with rough "seas". Thinner gauged hulls are more likely to develope stress cracks from all the pounding in said " rough seas" so they have to build boats that thick.

Here in Texas, we have inland reservoirs which at times can get ugly when winds kick up over 20 mph but nothing that a .100 or .125 can't handle. Also, we run shallow waters where that Duckboat is gonna struggle. A flat, smooth-bottomed hull is gonna serve you 200% better than a big, heavy hull with suck a deep v on the rake and bottom rails. Those extra bottom rails are there for handling big open water and will absolutely kill your performance in any kind of shallow water. Also, as stated, it is not a matter of if but rather when you get that boat stuck on a shallow mud flat or sand/gravel bar. So you had better have a friend with a big rig on standby to come to your rescue cuz a hull that heavy ain't gonna budge easy.

A mud rig isn't really necessary to go duckhunting. A flat bottomed Jon boat with an outboard will get you to the birds. But a mug rig will makes things much easier without worry of burning up your powerhead or tearing up your lower unit. There are many good boats on the market. You just gotta decide what will work best for your needs.

Also, another thing to keep in mind. It is always best to buy your rig from a local dealer or as close of a dealer as you can find for the boat/motor you decide on. At some point, you may need warranty work and dealer support and a someone local is worth it's weight in gold.

If you'd like to take a spin in a mud rig just let me know. I have a 1750 IntimiGator Gator Trax with a MB 7000 you can put your hands on and drop the hammer. It will at least give you an idea and feel of what running a mud rig is all about. Or if you just have any general questions about other boat/motor setups you can gimme a shout on my cell and I'll be glad to help. Number is in my sig.

Well Nathan? What did you do?

Stuck on a sandbar somewhere most likely

I have not decided yet, but there are no sandbars...

Take your time on it

if you plan on hunting any of the lakes around Austin there ARE sandbars...