GADWALL41 Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Hi, for sometime now I have been trying to find a boat suitable for Duck Shooting in estuaries and Creeks along the coast. I already own a Linder 400 Sportsman , but find I cannot go as Shallow as I would like in this boat and at 13,2" engine dog and gear , rowing it, is a challenge. So my spec would be , shallow draft , wide beam 40"-50" ish and between 10 and 12ft long , capable of taking a 3 - 5 hp outboard . Some nice Sneak boat Vids on youtube from the States and Denmark . I have tried a European web search in Denmark , France etc care of a Translator and cannot find a commercially available boat for sale . The Otter types I feel are not beamy enough and im not looking for a layout boat either . Buying a boat in the USA and shipping it over with import taxes is beyond stupid monies. So short of buying a Sailing Dinghy and converting it ( Has anyone done this ?), Can Anybody recommend a vessel for this task please ?. I attach a few pics of the kind of thing I have in mind , thanks in advance for any Ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Dory if you intend to shoot over deeks in it vey stable and light if you go the ali route Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonychez Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Have a go at making one. I made one last year. They arnt that difficult if you sit down and plan it first.i'll try get some pics up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GADWALL41 Posted April 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Thanks for the Replies . I att a pic of Mr Gilchrist in a small Dory , does anybody know what the make is ?. 2nd pic is my ideal boat for where I would be hunting , I might have the Skill set for some Woodworking tasks , making Cartridge boxes , gun cleaning kit boxes etc . Setting sail in something I might produce would be beyond my comfort zone . Some great boat work on site here though for sure , Gadwall, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kent Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Have a go at making one. I made one last year. They arnt that difficult if you sit down and plan it first.i'll try get some pics up. Marine Ply or GRP? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essex Keeper Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 Bic make good boats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted April 22, 2014 Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 I use one of these. Can get all my gear in the front position and paddle from the back. Won't take an outboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GADWALL41 Posted April 22, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 22, 2014 GRP , would be my choice, moulded plastic might do . Yaks , not good if it blows up , narrow beam , great if it works for you but my back wouldn't stand up to 2 or 3 hours of yaking. will check out the Bic boats , thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klammer Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Contact Kevin Wilcox at Tidepool products, I know towards the end of the season he had a sneak boat for sale. He can be contacted on 07836 622206. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I use one of these. Can get all my gear in the front position and paddle from the back. Won't take an outboard. Is the canoe inflatable? If so, is it durable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdsallpl Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Have you looked at the Pool Wildfowlers website. They use boats all the time. May give you a starting point where they get theirs from. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Hi Build your own !! All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Could almost get away with buying an old 'Fireball' dinghy and making a few tweeks. A little electric outboard would work on back. shallow draught. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GADWALL41 Posted April 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 That FIREBALL , sure looks nice , with a Little Gerry Anderson type Magic , Some cockpit Coming , Clam shell hide doors, forward hatch - stowage and Ballast re a Motor on the stern . Some tracking strakes on the Keel , would also help reduce wear for beaching , a pair or rowlocks and a single on the stern for sculling ,A touch of Camo , or light grey or white paint and a guy could have decent Punt there . Anybody got any ideas for a conversion ?, have you done one yourself. Just don't have the skill set to make one from scratch . Thanks for the ideas , keep posting any others please , Pic my dog , after a Triple on Mallard with a Maxus - which I got rid of after it had to go back to Belgium for repairs , stopped firing couldn't open it etc . I clean all my guns after each and every outing . A pin detached for the Breach block and jammed up inside . Using an A400 XTREME now , no issues so far. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentalmac Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I haven't used one for wildfowling, not that fortunate :-). Have owned one as a sailing boat, and love the fireball class. :-). Easy to work on too, certainly worth a look for the price. Some that need renovating go for £250. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konnie Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 have a look at h2o kyaks they are near Norwich got two boats from them they have some of the American type boats, or may be able to help they must import there gear in containers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FatFreddysCat Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Is the canoe inflatable? If so, is it durable? It is inflatable, weighs 9kg and fits in a big rucksack. Takes about 5 mins to inflate the 3 separate tubes. Had it 3 seasons and had no problems. I often have to drag it over the saltings to the water and the bottom hasn't worn at all. The only part that has worn is the handle attachment at the front where the rope handle fits. This started to split so I reinforced it with leather. I can't really blame this on the manufacture as I guess it's not designed to be dragged full of wildfowling gear. Link below to product review http://airkayaks.wordpress.com/2013/04/13/product-review-the-innova-twist-2-tandem-inflatable-kayak/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthonychez Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Kent I have made 2. One 13ft abd another 8 out of marine ply. No need for fiber glass if joints are glued and screwed then painted . If your joints are neat. A lot less weight and easier to handle especially if you have to drag it anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 (edited) Thanks for the Replies . I att a pic of Mr Gilchrist in a small Dory , does anybody know what the make is ?. 2nd pic is my ideal boat for where I would be hunting , I might have the Skill set for some Woodworking tasks , making Cartridge boxes , gun cleaning kit boxes etc . Setting sail in something I might produce would be beyond my comfort zone . Some great boat work on site here though for sure , Gadwall, The dory might be a Dell Quay dory they made one about 12- 13ft fast and stable ( i had a 17ft rigid raider) you should be able to pick one up for about £250 without motor, watch out for saturated under floor buoyancy !, Wilson Flyers, john wilson might make one sub 14ft and you can buy as bare hull and fit out to your spec, mind you I would have thought a Linder would have been ideal no draft very light and easier to row than a dory Edited April 24, 2014 by islandgun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GADWALL41 Posted April 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 Thanks Islandgun , I bought the linder for ease of maint , had both Timber and grp boats previously. A few pics of the 400 Sportsman . Well able to travel at speed , but unnerving seeing the Flooring Flex underneath you , keep thinking of Rocks! . Also at anchor , being so light it will push over to the side easily as you move about , not a stable gun platform . Cant get into the shallows I want to , that bow gets stuck really well . Gadwall41. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 25, 2014 Report Share Posted April 25, 2014 well you have thought it through and know your stuff, I like the linder perhaps more for going from a to b and a bit of fishing, coupled with the lightness, giving you the ability to jump over in the shallows and heaving it up the shore when needed, I use an Arran mostly which is very stable, strong, but heavy, great for fishing. Dories are fast but in the case of Dell Quay not light, and will need a decent outboard to bring it up to speed, again heavy and costly, personally I'm not comfortable in a planing boat (old age) but are they are stable, perhaps a wilson flyer fitted out to keep it light might be right, if built new you might be able to influence the final colour. As you know all boats are a compromise without exception, good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Al Posted April 27, 2014 Report Share Posted April 27, 2014 The dory might be a Dell Quay dory they made one about 12- 13ft fast and stable ( i had a 17ft rigid raider) you should be able to pick one up for about £250 without motor, watch out for saturated under floor buoyancy ! Islandgun, Can I ask where one of these can be picked up for that kind of money? I'd love one for multipurpose stuff - shooting, fishing and the odd trip on a summers day with the kids. Is there a good website or publication to look in? The dory might be a Dell Quay dory they made one about 12- 13ft fast and stable ( i had a 17ft rigid raider) you should be able to pick one up for about £250 without motor, watch out for saturated under floor buoyancy ! Islandgun, Can I ask where one of these can be picked up for that kind of money? I'd love one for multipurpose stuff - shooting, fishing and the odd trip on a summers day with the kids. Is there a good website or publication to look in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Islandgun, Can I ask where one of these can be picked up for that kind of money? I'd love one for multipurpose stuff - shooting, fishing and the odd trip on a summers day with the kids. Is there a good website or publication to look in? Islandgun, Can I ask where one of these can be picked up for that kind of money? I'd love one for multipurpose stuff - shooting, fishing and the odd trip on a summers day with the kids. Is there a good website or publication to look in? Yes mate the biggest website is find a fishing boat ,com FAFB also useful for all things fishing including weather and tides, Ebay , gumtree, pre-loved, cheap papers like quids in or similar, local papers, boat yards, or a tour around your beautiful Antrim coast, Dories are great but to get a good preferably new outboard to go with it, can cost several thousand, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penelope Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 (edited) http://www.bicboats.co.uk/Dinghies/Bic-245-Explorer-Green-/-Beige-Dinghy/27 Or maybe one of the smaller Aquapeche Rigiflex models. http://www.rigiflexboats.co.uk/Rigiflex-Range.html The Aquapeche's are used by a lot of fisheries companies for netting ops and the Environment Agency. A very stable platform and bullet proof; green too. I bought the 4m version from a chap that used to fishing the Solent and around the Isle of Wight in her. Edited April 28, 2014 by Penelope Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandgun Posted April 28, 2014 Report Share Posted April 28, 2014 Theres a nice range of small boats called Pioneer 12 - 14 ft unsinkable very popular for loch and inshore fishing and you don't need a big outboard to shift it, also orkney do spinner at about 13ft another useful boat, or as Penelope suggest's aquapeche look fantastic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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