Hybrid boat builders?

P

Paul W

Well-known member
Anyone built one of these?


I'm not even really thinking of buying plans, I might but I doubt it. Just looking to build a quick/cheap small boat that will strap to the top of the bluebill for a two man trip to shallow waters.




paul
 
I thought about building one of these too, just never got around to it.
 
I thought about building one of these too, just never got around to it.
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Yes I've been thinking about it. A while. I may just do it next spring, we will see. Things are getting too busy close to bow season and early goose.
 
gosh.. that should only take about 1-2 weeks to make!
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With a quick snapping resin I'm thinking 2 weekends with a couple evenings mixed in. A nice quick little layout blind of a boat.
 
I`ve built two NL hybrids with pods. I built for longevity with good marine plywood and true stitch and glue construction. I really like them but mine are a tad heavy. The boats are a very stable platform and grassed good just disappear in the swamp. I`m trying to figure out a small mud motor that works for them right now. The only drawback that is that they paddle hard. A good (quiet) electric motor would be a life saver. I consider myself fairly good with wood but I had never built a boat before. Even so, I had a considerable amount of time into them. Learning curve.
 
Good to know- I think I'd be going cheap and light on these - the design seems good through. I was thinking of going with that design or one of my own that is very similar
 
I built a buddy one for his birthday about 7 years ago, his girlfriend at the time now wife purchased the plans and worked with me on what wood to purchase. It was the Hybrid DE. Built all out of 4mm Okume wood and I used Epoxy 3 system will all 6 oz fabric inside and out. I even used the Okume laminated on the two bulk heads. Took me right around a week working most of my time on Saturday and Sunday. I did not use zip ties like he shows in his videos instead I used an old roll of wire I had on hand to connect the wood. I had plenty of old cork from decoys to use as filler for the putty. A good jig saw is about all is needed to work on the boat with a rasp to round when needed.

The boat did paddle but tracking was rough with no center keel. We had it out on the Maumee River just east of town at the boat ramp paddling. We even floated downstream almost to Antwerp, OH with a group of friends with other canoes to test it out. He uses it a lot in flooded corn fields in North Western Ohio as a layout today or drags it into the Maumee in various places in the late winters to duck and goose hunt.
I am 5'7 and weigh around 190 lbs. Standing in the boat was very stable if needed. I do recommend going with a marine grade wood versus an A grade wood you would find at any store like Lowes. It is slightly more but it will last for a long time when epoxied and glassed.
Regards,
Kristan
 
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