This has kind of been discussed before, but I couldn't find anything really satisfying. I'm thinking about getting a boat for hunting around the Ladner marsh. I'm hoping for something that I can tuck into the marsh and shoot from (get it grassed up), but not planning to use it to cross Canoe pass. Of course money and space are a consideration, so anything that needs a trailer isn't going to work. Would a 12' jon boat be too small and open? If I'm really working close to the shore could I even get away with something like a Fatboy DP?
I know the tide really rips through there, and the weather can change fast - I sure do like duck hunting, but not quite enough to die for it That'd be a little embarrassing.
I'm usually out there in a 12 foot V-hulled aluminum. I've seen it pretty bumpy in there a few times and would probably be a little nervous in a jon that small especially once you get it loaded up with gear. I'm sure it can be done but might not be worth the risk. Perhaps a slighty larger model or Mod-v with some decent horsepower would be a little safer. Myself I like the small lightweight boat so you can manhandle it a little when you're high and dry on a falling tide. Tough call really, I'm sure there's lots of guys on here that will have great advice on this one.
"There's a thin line between a mallard hen's quack and a human's fart. The only difference is cadence and odour" - Jase Robertson
Why is that? Too unstable? So, do you use the boat to get around the marsh, then shoot from the shore?
Thanks!
Todd
Exactly. A round bottom is going to roll a bit more. It won't be as stable or have as shallow a draft as the jon but its gonna be much better when it gets choppy. I just use the boat to get me and my gear out there and then hunt from shore
"There's a thin line between a mallard hen's quack and a human's fart. The only difference is cadence and odour" - Jase Robertson
it's not the boat, it's the captain! if conditions suck, stay at port! watch the tide tables, the low low going through there is quite a rip
Good point there. I've been pass shooting there a bunch of times when the pass looked downright scary.
Thanks for all your input - I've been cruising Craigslist, and there is a good selection of nice sized jon boats (some already painted marsh camo). I'll let you know if I get something interesting.
it's not the boat, it's the captain! if conditions suck, stay at port!
spoken like a true seafarer but i'll be out killing birds in the Deep V Great advice about the tide tables they're pretty important resources out there. I'm glad to see the emphasis on safety in this thread as I personally know a couple people that have been killed in the river. stay safe out there everyone
"There's a thin line between a mallard hen's quack and a human's fart. The only difference is cadence and odour" - Jase Robertson