Zack Taylor Wigeon Draft

J

JustinC

New member
Hey Guys,

Still trying to finalize my decision on which boat to build this upcoming summer. I have looked and wondered about the performance of many boats and like both the Devlin Mallard and the ZT Wigeon. One piece of the puzzle I cant find is the Wigeon's draft measurement. Anyone have an idea? More or same as the Mallard?
 
I just got an email back from the mighty layout boys stating that the wigeon will draft around 4" in case anyone else had the same question.
 
I have one. Its pretty good in skinny water,the only thing that will hang is the keel. I had the boat in Dexter Marsh in Upstate NY ,that is some shallow water and still was able to get where the water was ankle deep.
 
I assume you're looking to build a Zack Taylor Widgeon rather than buy the Mighty Layout Boys' version. I built one of these boats about 15 years ago and have been pleasantly surprised both in how much and how little water this boat can handle. Its not a big water boat but will get you home at the end of the hunt. I can run the motor at idle in 6" of water and have no difficulty pushpoling in 3". The boats not particularly fast (its a displacement hull rather than a planing hull) but the 6 horse outboard I run on mine gets me where I need to go quite fast enough. The biggest drawback and one its assets is its size---you can hide it anywhere but it gets a little tight sitting on the floor of the cockpit with a 100 lb Lab.

If you decide to go ahead and build a ZT Widgeon, I suggest that you purchase the larger set of plans from D. N. Goodchild. It's much easier to see and you won't destroy your copy of Successful Waterfowling while building the boat.

http://dngoodchild.com/divide_for_small_craft.htm

The attached picture was taken shortly after I finished the boat. Follow the enclosed link and you can see a more recent picture taken at the Midwest duckboat builders get together in Lacrosse last August. You'll also see some great pictures of several other builders' boats as well as the largest pie I've had the pleasure to help eat.

[inline widgeon 2.jpg]

http://www.duckboats.net/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=128887;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;session=c2e576b12ca67c334c024dc739258511;page=unread#unread

View attachment widgeon 2.JPG
 
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I have thought about making the Wigeon for years. Would it make a good lay out boat that I could run my Chessy out of?
Can you describe what is meant by tight.
Would reentry be a problem in deep water?


I'm 6' 2" @ 260lbs, Belle is 100 lbs +/-
 
Thanks so much for the replies. I believe the Wigeon is only rated for 375lbs, so 260lbs with a dog might be pushing it...then again I have never run in one yet.
 
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Can you describe what is meant by tight.
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Craig,

I'm sure Steve can give you a better reply but the cockpit size would be what is referred too. I imagine you would have to alter the plans a bit to give room enough for both you and you dog not to be sitting on top of each other. (if you wanted to hunt him/her in the cockpit along side you.)
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I hunt her out of the Kara laying behind me. Small space but don't consider it as tight, just not a lot of room.
 
Justin:
The plans I have don't show a rated capacity. I've never felt that the boat was overloaded weight-wise with myself, a large dog, motor, gas can, decoys, etc. Keep in mind that I tend to use the Widgeon in more sheltered, remote places---small lakes and sloughs. I have a 16 foot Devlin Black Brant 1 I built many years ago (yes, that dates me) that I use as a big water boat.

As Dave mentioned, the real limitation is the size of the cockpit. I lengthened the cockpit when I built the boat versus what the plans specified. I generally sit on a low, folding beach chair with my dog lying down between my legs. The chair keeps my butt an inch or so off the floor and allows my knees to be slightly bent when sitting. You don't have to be a contortionist but it's not spacious. I haven't yet put the boats away for the winter so I could take some pictures if there are some particular shots you might be interested in.

Craig:
When I think of layout hunting, I'm thinking of open water hunting a hundred or more yards from shore. I have a one-man Busick design layout boat that I built between the Black Brant 1 and the Widgeon that works great as a layout boat. Using it necessitates a tenderboat (and a second hunter) since the layout boat isn't very manueverable. Additionally, there isn't any place for a dog. I used to have a Kara style boat that worked reasonably well for layout hunting. You could probably use the Widgeon as a layout boat if you built it with a removable motor mount. I would feel comfortable lying in it in some pretty rough water but am not sure that there's room for a big dog as well.

Again, I can post some additional pictures if there's something particular you'd like to see. Also, I'm not sure how far you live from the Okoboji area but you are welcome to take a look at my boat if you are up to the trip.
 
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