Okay guys, I'm finishing my second piroque of the year this week, for a friend. Next spring want to try my hand at a bigger project. I saw the pros and cons of the BB II / III post earlier. Any opinions about the black brant series as opposed to a scaup? They appear to be very similar in capabilities.
I'll be using it on the Columbia and Snake rivers and if the waves are 3foot or more my pucker factor just clamps down real tight, so really big waves won't be seeing me. It'll see use for every thing, puddlers, divers and geese and plans for sea ducks also.
Thanks for any input.
Kevin
Kevin
Imagine, these birds, wonders of beauty all, which may have flown thousands of miles, now come to my decoys for my pleasure and table.

Take a look at the garveys... you won't be sorry. The Cackler and Snowgoose are sea-worthy as hell, fast and cancelable.

If you want more information give me a shout.

Good luck on your search and decision, it's a fun journey - and by all means go for rides and then decide.


From CT

http://snowgooseconstruction.blogspot.com/

Since you will be on the Columbia I would go with Andrew in building a bigger boat. There will be lots of days where things would be just great for a Brant or Scaup, but then the wind comes up harder and you will be facing standing waves bigger than 4 feet out there. Even in a bigger boat you may want to just wait it out behind an island somewhere, but you may have to get to that island first.



"Where all men think alike, no one thinks very much......It requires wisdom to understand wisdom: the music is nothing if the audience is deaf." -- Walter Lippmann

Hi,

I hunt Flathead Lake and the Flathead River system in NW Montana along with some large but shallow (18" - 24" deep) lakes. After a lot of deliberation my buddy and I built a Devlin Snow Goose a couple of years ago. It has been the perfect boat for our application. Our prefered method is to drive the boat into the cattails and hunt from the boat. Two hunters and my dog Yoda. We fabricated a cattail/rush blind that we set up when the boat is in place.

Now I'm ready to build another boat for those times when my buddy's boat isn't available. I really should build another Snow Goose, but I think I'm going with a scaup this time for something a little different. Flathead lake can get pretty rough sometimes, I'll just hunt the river on those days.

Regarding engine size, I was thinking about going with a 25 to save weight and cost, is that a bad idea? The greatest travel distance we have is about six miles each way, with one mile being more typical. Also what do you guys think about 2 stroke vs 4 stroke.

John

My friends have a scaup, hunted out of it several times - it's a nice boat.

They started off with a 25 --- was sad they bought it. It was way under powered. Sold it and purchased a 40 Yam 4 stroke. and it was perfect for that sized boat. You'll notice that the snowgoose and scaup have similar hulls -- you could always try a 25 on your buddy's snowgoose and see for your self. I have a 40 on my snowgoose and with the fat lab, a buddy (all of my hunting buddys are big guys - I'm going to start hanging out with jockeys) and gear --- I can honestly say that a 40 is the minimum motor that I would want from a safety perspective.

Strong recommendation is to get minimum, a 40 hp on the scaup.

As always --- post pics !


From CT

http://snowgooseconstruction.blogspot.com/

Andrew,

Thanks for the advise, I guess it's going to be a 40. Here are some pics, I need to wade out and take a phote of the boat in set up mode in the marsh.

OK please advise on how to attach jpegs. I browsed thru and found three photos but they didn't seem to upload.

SInce I posted my first 3 images today I am an expert!!!!!1 :):)

you have to put [image filename] to get them to load... you have to type image as well

I am so jelous of where you live!!!! Glacier is and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area are a few of my most favorite places.

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***Phil (Chesapeake Boy) Nowack***


Nothing like the north wind pushing snow at your back, a bird in your hand, and chessie with ice on his coat at your side.

Birds brought to you courtesy of Nikon, Benelli, Kodi, and Otter

Thanks for the help, I'll give it a try later. Your'e right Glacier and "The Bob" are Heaven on Earth. You expect there to be great mountains, prairie and trout fishing waters, what is little known is the great waterfowlining we have around Flathead Lake. But Chesapeake Bay must be fantastic waterfowling.

I actually live in Iowa.. "Chesapeake Boy" comes from my dog (CBR) and love for the breed.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
***Phil (Chesapeake Boy) Nowack***


Nothing like the north wind pushing snow at your back, a bird in your hand, and chessie with ice on his coat at your side.

Birds brought to you courtesy of Nikon, Benelli, Kodi, and Otter