New to me 1949 10-6inch cedar hulled sneakbox. Isnt she a Beauty. It is light enough to be easily handle by one guy, and even fits in the back of a pickup.

At some point in the recent past she had a marine ply deck put on in place of her original cedar. That may change if my son wants to put in some work.

Built on split, two piece sawn ribs, with a slightly slabbed side. Atypical for a boat of her vintage. Both in size and construction details.

Happy to add her to the fleet.

49 and initials AD carved into the center hull plank. I thought that was cool


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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

A real beauty Jode
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A LOT OF MEMORIES IN A MAN'S STOOL........
Duck hunting without a dog is just shooting

 
Alright Jode -

Where do you find all these classic gunning vessels?

No don't answer...

You appear to have talent for discovery, and recovery that few folks have.

Makes me smile.


Best regards
Vince











"Art does not reproduce what is visible - but makes things visible." ~ Paul Klee, artist, 1920

One Awesome piece of history there and the stories the little sneak could tell.

My Hanks Bob!

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Actually Vince the last 3 found me. I guess when word gets out I like to restore vintage craft, people want thier old boats to be done up right. I just discovered this boat was very likely made by decoy carver/ cabinet maker Mark Kears of Northfeold NJ. It?s always nice to put a name with a fine piece of craftsmanship.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thanks and that is so true. One of the main reasons I enjoy having them.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Hi Jode, I too have a 10' Barnagat Bay Sneak Box. Made in 1935 in New Jersey, all cedar. My boat has some of the same features as your boat. You need to get rid of the plywood. I only have 35 mm hard copy photos of my boat.
Jim

Very cool Jim! I have since found out the boat was most likely made by Mark Kears. A decoy carver and cabinet maker from Northfield NJ( near Atlantic City). The deck will be replaced in due time.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

That is one beautiful boat
I love living in the south, but we don't have squat for gunning/decoy/boat building traditions around here.

 
Got her blocked up in the shop for a little R+R!



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thanks Micheal. Yes this is one of the perks in living near an old gunning Mecca. But I sometimes wonder if the good outweighs the bad!

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

OMG, Jode, That is so beautiful. If you ever sell it please put me on the list. I love it.Amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gary



http://merganser.smugmug.com/

Thanks Gary, I will if I ever let her go. Would look good w these on the decoy rack :-)



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

The boat is amazing....but no need for a trailer has me sold!!! I've often thought of building a sneak that was catered to the dimensions of my truck bed. My next build for sure haha.


Man do I hate trailers!

https://www.facebook.com/...e=1&l=9abd3a64df

Well the demolition has begun. I couldn?t settle for a plywood deck, and it clears the way for fresh cedar planking!







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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

That's gonna be sweet when you're done! Question however...the fastener spacing doesn't match what you would expect on a planked hull. Have the deck timbers been replaced? Same applies for the transom? Could the plywood have been original?

Oh yea for sure. 4 wheel drive and Trailerless, opens up many little spots not accessible otherwise.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

SJ , I noticed the same thing. And both answers are quite possible. I have found the deck beam just forward of the cockpit is a definite replacement. And plywood became widely available after WW 2 so that also is a possibility. Kears was a cabinetmaker as well , so that would enable easy access to such a product.

Either way the plywood itself gave way quite easily when removing the glass, so it was starting to delaminate. I could replace with 1:4 plywood, grooved to look like planking. Decisions!

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

SJ , here is what a layout of 5-1/2 inch plank would be. Pretty centered up if one fastener was used per plank ( 2 per plank on the transom and cockpit timbers) . Who knows for sure.



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

The more I look at it, the more it looks to my eye like the plywood was original. First, the deck had to accept the limited two-way bending plywood is capable of. Most planked sneakbox hulls won't allow sheet ply to conform suggesting it was designed to do so. Second, unless all timbers, transom and sheers were replaced the screws would have had to hit the old screw holes precisely or there would be a second pattern of holes. I guess it doesn't really matter though. However you choose to replank it, I'm sure it will be a great renovation, as you are a superb craftsman.

I think you are probably right. Another hint is the boat is 47? wide. Not 48? and not larger. That?s a great bit of detective work.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Regardless of the deck material you select, I was thinking if it's thicker than the plywood it might detract from those pretty lines. Make it look "heavy" if you will.

That is a very nice box....the plywood could very well be original.

I once built a box from a 10' sailfish fg hull that looks almost exactly like that one except for the v bottom.
I used 1/4" plywood for the decking to keep it light, and the ply does bend to the crown of the deck.
The only thing I had to add was keelsons on the bottom aft so it would sit level when grounded out, due to the "v"

That boat is going to be a nice addition, no matter what you decide to do with the decking.

3/8 cedar ready to be fit and attached. Originally ply was 5/16 so it?s pretty close. I?m leaning toward a light cloth set in epoxy over it.



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thanks, I appreciate it. It?s a neat little craft that moves well with minimal power.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Sweet, nothing smells as duckey as white cedar. The odor whispers to you in the summer, a reminder of duck boats and decoys.

Just one of the many additive reasons I chose to go with Cedar. :-)

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Fruitful night. Everything rough fit. Thanks to my friend Frank for the company.



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Wow, that looks promising. Can't wait to see it completed.

I think I'm in love Jode
.
.
.
.
A LOT OF MEMORIES IN A MAN'S STOOL........
Duck hunting without a dog is just shooting

Thanks, my son and I fastened the planking tonight. Then I started rough fairing.







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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Me too!

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Love it Jode.

"UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."

Thanks Brandon. I?ve been steady at it. I was able to pre coat the deck yesterday, fill all the screw holes, and get the 6 oz. cloth over the entire deco tonight. Moving right along!



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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

I finally was able to flip it, sand it and paint everything. I took it out tonight for it?s re-christening.

I did a little old school fishing as well. I took the freshly redone 1949 sneakbox out for a creek cruise.

It?s range is limited, and that could be a handicap in our vast creek maze. But I got out far enough to find some dinner!

It?s all about getting out there and making it happen.





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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Beautiful!

Well done Jode
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.
.
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A LOT OF MEMORIES IN A MAN'S STOOL........
Duck hunting without a dog is just shooting

The boat looks great, nice bunch of perch too.

Thanks x2!

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thanks Tod

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Jode -


Looks like the re-christening went very well.

Yes indeed, it is about "getting out there and making it happen" and ya did it in grand fashion.


Best regards
Vince











"Art does not reproduce what is visible - but makes things visible." ~ Paul Klee, artist, 1920

Jode, I will echo what Tod said: BEAUTIFUL

You did a great job with the restoration and a heckuva job on the perch.

Absolutely amazing

Yes it really did. I have few attacks by viscous green heads, but that?s to be expected this time of year.

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thanks Dani. I?m happy with the little boat , andcperch are a great summertime quarry. Plentiful and delicious!

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ

Thanks Henry

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I never know which is worse: the sorrow when you hit the bird, or the shame when you miss.
http://www.hillmandecoys.com
Mullica Hill NJ