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Duck boat... which and why?
#7936375
08/15/20 05:09 AM
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Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 111
SeaAggie2015
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 111 |
I’ve been looking for a new duck boat this season and can’t seem to make my mind up. There are so many on the market now. I want relatively small 16-17 foot by 45-55 inches. Extremely durable, Shallow running, Priced right. You know.... what every duck hunter wants. Rate the following: Go-Devil ProDrive Excel Cottonmouth StumpJumper Keep in mind we’re talking hulls not motors.
Noah Blackmon
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7936399
08/15/20 09:56 AM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915
pervis
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915 |
Timbercreek or uncle j. Get way more quality for your money. Custom build. I just got a new Timbercreek your more than welcome to come check out.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7936422
08/15/20 11:35 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694
Windrider
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 694 |
Self bailing ProDrive 1754 center console.
Pros: Easy to run Won’t sink NoT fast, but way faster than what I duck hunted out of for many years
Cons Heavy for a mud boat You give up a little too end for the self bailing aspect Center console takes up room you could use for other stuff, but I have a bad back and could use a filler this powerful without risking another back surgery.
Last edited by Windrider; 08/15/20 11:38 AM.
Thought for the day: Ducks were almost hunted to extinction long before camo was invented.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7936482
08/15/20 12:55 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,993
68A
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 3,993 |
Custom build is the way to go. WC Customs but they’ve really slowed down on boat building to focus on other things. Could reach out to them. If I was looking to have a boat built right now, it’d probably be an Uncle J.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7936744
08/15/20 04:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392
js4242
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392 |
I believe WC is not taking any more orders on boats/projects this year. At least according their web page. I have a deposit down on a Uncle J.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7937108
08/15/20 09:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915
pervis
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915 |
My timbercreek almost done. Hopefully only two more weeks.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: pervis]
#7937125
08/15/20 09:37 PM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392
js4242
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392 |
Pervis - Not to hijack this thread...but do you want to provide specs on your rig? I really like that setup.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7937236
08/15/20 10:55 PM
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Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,829
Adchunts
Pro Tracker
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Pro Tracker
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,829 |
Havoc MST series would also cover your requirements. My buddy back in Arkansas ran one for several years. The reverse chines are great when you do run out of water and have to get out and push. That’s the downside of mud boats. When you get them stuck, they are REALLY stuck. I recommend handles on the front gunwales for the same reason. Not that I’ve ever had to use them a dozen or so times.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7937261
08/15/20 11:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915
pervis
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915 |
Oh man, its alot...lol. 1854 timbercreek. Flat front. Rounded chine. Then i had em recess the light bar into the front bumper. Trolling motor mount. Dry storage up front, followed by.a horizontal front gun storage. So the whole front deck lifts up and is storage. Thesee are on struts w locking latches. 8in cat walks,21in sides , 4 cup holders, pod rear storage, had em close the rear off, floor drains, build a hatch w a shallow removable tray. 2in oversized drain plugs. Rear lights as well as chase lights. Collapseble whip rear light. Front winch, shark eye navigation lights, rigid pod lights on the sides. Tripple step rear, cat walk shelve on one side. Spud poles and fishing rod holders on the other wall. Powerbas xl1200 sound bar up front. Custom 12 gal aluminium gas tank. Os handles, front side rails. Starting battery, two batteries for the trolling motor. Went w the garmin force trolling motor and garmin 7in suhd screen.. its getting fitted for custom aquatraction turf right now. Powered by a gtr40 painted to match the boat.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7937274
08/15/20 11:24 PM
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Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915
pervis
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 915 |
I would recommend a built in winch to anyone whos gona build one. Ive had em on my previous and my current boat. You stick one, you can pull yourself out wa winch and your spud pole. A wireless winch remote is worth its weight in good if u hunt by yourself and stick one. I use a warn winch and warn wireless winch remote.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: pervis]
#7937600
08/16/20 02:48 AM
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392
js4242
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 392 |
You threw the kitchen sink at this thing...nice. I still have time to tweak mine so always looking for new ideas. Thank you for the details. Oh man, its alot...lol. 1854 timbercreek. Flat front. Rounded chine. Then i had em recess the light bar into the front bumper. Trolling motor mount. Dry storage up front, followed by.a horizontal front gun storage. So the whole front deck lifts up and is storage. Thesee are on struts w locking latches. 8in cat walks,21in sides , 4 cup holders, pod rear storage, had em close the rear off, floor drains, build a hatch w a shallow removable tray. 2in oversized drain plugs. Rear lights as well as chase lights. Collapseble whip rear light. Front winch, shark eye navigation lights, rigid pod lights on the sides. Tripple step rear, cat walk shelve on one side. Spud poles and fishing rod holders on the other wall. Powerbas xl1200 sound bar up front. Custom 12 gal aluminium gas tank. Os handles, front side rails. Starting battery, two batteries for the trolling motor. Went w the garmin force trolling motor and garmin 7in suhd screen.. its getting fitted for custom aquatraction turf right now. Powered by a gtr40 painted to match the boat.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7938579
08/16/20 11:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 492
RiverRunner
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 492 |
I have a 1754 Uncle J...very simple approach on this rig. I have a large front deck...can't remember if it is 5', but somewhere in that range with storage. Front deck also extends out to cover 15gallon fuel tank. The rest of the boat is wide open. Really versatile for different loads.
No matter the layout, I will say Uncle J will get my business if i ever need to build another one. Have had this one for 8-9yrs and zero issues.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7939062
08/17/20 01:31 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849
Boudreaux
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 849 |
Go-devil makes a solid boat, Their new F-N-R 40 is pretty solid. They were the standard in duck boats for a long time.
Pro-drive is good if you hunt some truly nasty stuff, lots of vegetation, because of the full power reverse. Other than that, in the mud motor world, we jokingly call them Slo-drives.
Excel, have lots of mixed reviews. One reason is because there are so many out there that you're bound to find someone who has had issues with theirs. A lot of the old ones were know to have waterlogged foam. Excels are easy to finance because they are on the NADA list. There are lots of options for Excels as far as layouts go, they are easy to order, and turnaround times are not bad. Pro, they are foam filled which makes them quite, not so easy to sink, and very durable. Con, foam makes it a bit more heavy. I like the built in front mounted fuel tank with the filler neck on the deck. Excels usually come with Mud buddy. I have a 2019, 1954 Excel F4 with a Gator-Tail 40 XD on it. Personally I love in and have a lot of hours on it. I guide from it and other than it being heavy and slow, it goes where I need it and then some.
The other 2 I cannot comment on cause I have not experience with them. I've been told Stumpjumper is a pretty solid rig
Gator-Trax makes some solid rigs as well with lots of options. Recommend giving them a good look at too. If you can afford to personal finance, a custom rig is really your best bet. Uncle J, Timber Creek, Prodigy all make good rigs. Get a rig set up the way you want it. I recommend a .125 hull, and a Gator-Tail 40XD on whatever you decide to build or buy. Now that's just my personal preference, take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt and get the rig that is going to fit your needs and budget.
Stickin' gills and Stackin' bills
In a world of compromise..... some dont....
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7939245
08/17/20 03:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788
wal1809
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 11,788 |
I've said it a bunch so i reckon one more time will be alright. There is no perfect boat. I have run long tails when they first hit the scene. I chased the latest and fish, greatest for 2 decades and never achieved the perfect rig. So the next best thing IMO is a 24 foot Boat Right out of Baytown. You can river fish, bay fish, duck hunt, whatever you want. They are tough as a tank, carry a massive payload, very stable ect........ It wont run shallow as a mud boat but the trtade off is worth it. I hinted around to my wife to kind of feel her vibe about selling off all of the boats and sticking withe pontoon boat work barge. I Know for a fact it will float 5000 lbs. I was transporting concrete to the island build. Scary? Yes! The deck actually went under water and it didnt recover very fast all. I could carry all my people, gear and dogs. We could use it for wade fishing or any other application. Well she no in not such a nice language or tone.
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Re: Duck boat... which and why?
[Re: SeaAggie2015]
#7939270
08/17/20 03:48 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 679
Sinkey
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 679 |
I have a Gator-Trax 1754 huntdeck with a Mudbuddy 4400 black death. Boat has been very good to me so far. Only stuck it once, and it was totally my fault. Owned a Pro-Drive before. Also a very good boat.
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