Advice on One Man Boats

[Marksman]

I'm considering the purchase of a one man boat, to get back into the marshes and ponds. I'd like it to be one-man portable, fairly easy to paddle or row, not real expensive, and (hopefully) stable enough to sit and take a broadside or high swinging shot from (hopefully with my 3-1/2 inch 12 gauge). I've been looking (via the web) at the Otter "Phantom," Carstens "Puddler," and Bobcat "Mag I" and "Pirogues" (that one comes in three models). Anyone have any experience hunting (and shooting) from any of these, or alternately, a good, stable kayak that they'd recommend? The Poke Boat comes highly recommended, but is out of my price range, unless I save for a couple years.

Thanks

[bogwalker]

Hey...we use Hoefgans duck skiff made here in menominee and are very happy with them.They are under 75 lbs and very stable and pointed on both ends with decking.Even if totally full of water they still float.He has a website that I think is hoefganboats.Good luck.

[lwingwatcher]

Welcome to the board!

How much are you lookin to spend?

You might wanna head over to Bay City State Park on the 18th to the Saginaw Bay Waterfowlers Clinic and see what vendors have for sale new and used.

There is a guy on another site bringin a boat down from Gaylord to the Fuge Fest on the 17th in Alma that he is takin over there the next day.

Marksman, ya may wanna enable Private Messaging or email so folks can contact you directly

[Michigander]

My vote would be the Otter Stealth or a coleman scanoe. I really want a stealth..........but I can not justify the cost for a special purpose boat. I hunt from a coleman scanoe made from the same stuff as the stealth and I abuse the heck out of it. You could always get a sunfish hull and convert it. I bought one for $20.00 and if I ever get a free weekend Iwill make it into a duck boat.

[lwingwatcher]

hmmmm....

those boats are interesting. I have been saving the glass pontoons from a junked out pedal boat for a couple of years trying to figure out the best way to modify it for duck hunting.

That looks like a great plan to copy.

Thank you for the link.

[goosewa]

You could always get a sunfish hull and convert it.

Darn it!!!!!!!!!!! You had to say that..........

I was given one a year or two back. Too bad it was around the time I was moving from one house to another. That was one of the items that I could not take with me at the time.

I tried for weeks before the move to find another duck hunter with the same thing in mind to take her home. Unfortunately her fate was sealed with a Porter Cable Circular Saw and a dumpster.

Now that I have the time I wish I had it back.

-Goosewa

[Camo Man]

This is not a one man boat, but it is my favorite non-layout small boat as it is so versitile. http://www.pokeboat.com/db_blkjk.htm I haven't checked the price yet, but I know I want one. A gray one for laying out, with a cordura shadowgrass cover for when I am in the marsh. :)

[lwingwatcher]

They don't give the Poke boats away.

They will get you info and prices real quick and they have a promo going on for another couple of weeks.

They are also gonna have a rep at the Saginaw Bay Waterfowlers Clinic in Bay City next weekend.

[Camo Man]

lwing,

Thanks for the info. lwing. I can't afford one for a couple more years. And I can't make it up North next weekend, but maybe you could get them to send me a specs. sheet. Thanks.

Camo:)

[lwingwatcher]

Camo:

Just click on the link that you provided and you can request material online. Simple as that!

[Hunt4Ever]

Just to let you know, Cabela's in Dundee has the Otter Stealth for $559. I think that is the best price I've ever seen on a new one. I'm thinking about getting one.