Saddle bags on a duck boat

I recently bought a used TDB -- it's a good boat, but tight inside with bags of decoys. So, I thought I'd try putting decoy gunnel bags on the outside rather than inside. Here are some photos. I haven't had it in the water yet to see how it affects handling but my guess is that it will probably have little or no effect. (Same weight, different distribution. The bag bottoms are well above the water line and just touch the grassing rail.) I bought the bags from Custom Decoy Bags from Diane in Tuckerton, N.J., and installed hard-plastic latches along the inner rails to catch the grommets on the bags. There are twelve slots on each side of the boat, and I'm going to put another smaller bag across the deck of the bow. It really opens the boat. View attachment IMG_0631.JPGView attachment IMG_0623.JPGView attachment IMG_0635.JPGView attachment IMG_0628.JPG

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Yes, that's my main concern. But I tend to take it slow anyway, and I usually hunt in relatively protected water -- bays, coves, rivers I can handle. I let you know how it works out. I also like the idea that in addition to gaining space, I will have gained a way to easily organize decoys on pick up and avoid tangles, etc.
 
Thanks, you have inspired me to look at rigging my LL Bean decoy bags in a similar way to open up my TDB
 
Let me know how it goes. The good thing about the bags from Diane's is that they have six slots in, and she delivers in a week or so.
 
Good morning, Lou~


Looks like a fine improvement! Decoy storage on TDBs has always been a bit challenging - especially in the forward hold.


Would you trail them as "saddlebags" - or just hang them there before you launch?


All the best,


SJS

 
When trailering, I will fold them into the boat ... likewise when I'm at my hunting location. They will be out only when the boat's under way.
 
It'll work just fine underway and even when setting and picking up... did it for many years myself.
The more you hunt any boat - the more "tricks" for rigging and stowing that you can work into your routine - the better.
 
I'm glad to hear that it worked out for you ... any other tips on customizing the TDB? I'm considering LED lighting inside and maybe a bar light on the bow, though the bow light would require an extra step in setting up to achieve concealment.
 
shelf lighting is a big plus...
I also installed spring clips on the face of the stern bulkhead to stow my blind supports in.... kept them from getting "lost" on the floor, or taking up space on the shelf.
A net hung from under the bow deck and tied into the grass rail of the dog shelf kept gear from bouncing out while underway.... perfect spot for extra life vests and other items.
I've always found a hand held spot light (when needed) was much more handy than a fixed bar light.... anything on the bow of a tdb will eventually be in the way.
Speaking of the bow... one big aid I incorporated was to make a small flat "deck" for the dog to lay on outside of the blind. Similar to the original fishing platform that the tdb company made for the first 17 'ers. It was much easier for the dog, and a blessing for us in the boat.
 
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I did exactly the same thing. TDB14 and Diane's bags. It works well. Depending how adventurous you are they will be getting wet but it's not really an issue. I used that set up to deploy long lines and it was much nicer than working off the floor of the boat.
 
Can you say more about the flat place for the dog? Was the dog hidden or visible? I was wondering about how to handle the pup in the boat. I've got an American Water Spaniel, and he has to stand on two legs to get a good view out of the boat.
 
Our dogs always stayed on the platform in the open... no need to hide them, but then again - chessies have colors called "sedge" and "deadgrass" for a reason.
The platform was painted and treated with sand to make it sure footed.... carpet gets heavy and eventually rots the wood.
It was cut out to fit the cockpit radius, extended forward about 2', it was 18-20" wide at the front, and blocked up underneath to provide a level fit. It stayed pretty much wedged between the cockpit and the front cleat and was tied off on each side down to the grass rail towards the back.
Wish I had photos, but it worked really well.
The old factory fishing platform was anchored with turnbuckles and stainless clips to the grass rail.
 
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Lou Ureneck said:
Let me know how it goes. The good thing about the bags from Diane's is that they have six slots in, and she delivers in a week or so.

The Bean decoy bags are six slots as well and my Bean cork decoys fit well into them. However the bags are no longer available so Diane?s bags would be the way to go now.

I see you have the TDB dog platform in the foreground of one photo. I use mine at the Port side near the stern. Our Toller sits on a Plano storage box at the stern end of the cockpit and watches thru the opening between the Port and stern blind curtains. No problem jumping to the water and then returns via the platform.
 
This is helpful. I think I will build something like it. The pup's still learning ... getting him to stay put is the current trailing challenge.
 
I recommend Diane's bags, and she was willing to add grommets to one of the bags to fit my needs on the bow. They seem well made. Sounds like a nice set up for your dog ... any photos?
 
Steve & Lou,

As I posted earlier, I ran this exact same set up years ago. Do not trailer with them as saddle bags! Heavy decoys will want to bounce out, plastic decoys will want to blow out. This is from experience! It's easy enough to hang them on the outside of the boat at the ramp. If you run with the blind up they can be hung over the side of the blind as well.
 
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