Devlin boat-Snow Goose vs. Cackler??

I'm new to this site and having a very hard time making the decision vs the two Devlin styles. I do have some experience building Devlin models. (poleboat and BBBIII a couple years ago). I'm looking for your guys likes and dislikes between the two. I hunt a very wide range of water on a daily basis. I also would like to know how involved the counsel drive is? This step seems pretty intimidating to me..

Thanks for all your help in advance.
 
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If you are going to install a steering station inside the boat and hunt two people I think the Snow Goose. My buddy and hunt out of a snow Goose and that steering box takes up a lot room between us. The snow Goose is perfect for the two of us and my dog.
 
I realize that it's highly unusual for me to post about garveys, but I'll try:

* If I were hunting single + dog the majority of the time - I'd get a cackler and I'd build a "normal" transom, not the planned Sam "well" transom.

* If I hunted 50% of the time with a buddy + dog, I'd get a Snow Goose.

* They are equally seaworthy.

* Cackler is cheaper to build, it's a little smaller, but you only need a 30 hp, instead of a 40 hp.

* Cackler is easier to handle with one man.

* Both draw very little water - about the same 7".

* From a performance perspective, they are similar in speed, the Snow Goose goes a little faster with the 40, and stays fast and planes easier despite adding significant weight. The Cackler struggles more to plane as weight is added.
 
Mark difinately go with the Snow Goose if you want remote steering , the cackler is kind of crowded when all the gear is is in , good for 1 possibly 2 guys with dog if the dog sits on the well in the transom , i built a platform for the dog to sit on , it allows the wet dog to drip dry into the well and gives more room inside the cockpit . I would almost say you would need a 40 horse on the cackler but if you are by yourself with little or no gear it would be dangerous at high speed. I have a cackler with a 30 Honda 4 stroke and loaded down it takes a little bit more to get it out of the water and on plane once up it cruises nicely . Good luck with your decision .


Dave
 
I really do appreciate the help....

How hard is it to control the Snow Goose without the counsel drive? I'm not 100% sure that I want to use that option but am strongly considering it. The fact that it does take up so much room is a huge drawback and Like I say, it is a little intimidating.

I've seen many pictures of people using a normal motor well vs Sam's planned motor well. I would like to keep Sam's motor well because I love the asthetics of it.....
 
How hard is it to control the Snow Goose without the counsel drive?

It's a blast to stand and stear the 40 hp outboard with a tiller. Plus, you'll want the tiller when you pick up deeks believe me. Hunting two guys and a dog is great because there is nothing in the way in the cockpit. Instead of repositioning the boat, you just reposition the seats.

The same goes for any duck hunting boat not just the Snow Goose. Good luck
 
I really do appreciate the help....

How hard is it to control the Snow Goose without the counsel drive? I'm not 100% sure that I want to use that option but am strongly considering it. The fact that it does take up so much room is a huge drawback and Like I say, it is a little intimidating.

I've seen many pictures of people using a normal motor well vs Sam's planned motor well. I would like to keep Sam's motor well because I love the asthetics of it.....
While I can't specifically reply the the performance of either of these boats... My honker on steriods is easy to control with a tiller.
 
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