Steve Sanford
Well-known member
Good morning, All~
Flowing from discussions with Matt Latini about his South Bay Duckboat renovation, I wanted to consult the members here about duckboat seats -especially in regard to their height off the floor.
I grew up in grassboats and scooters on Great South Bay where there was only one way to hunt: laying on your back whilst waiting for birds, then sitting up to shoot. The low Salt Hay in the marshes or the open bay drove this style of vessel and gunning.
In recent decades, we have seen many fowling craft get taller and taller. I added a removable blind to my Sneakbox so my Dad and I would be more comfortable - and have gunned for many years from my partner's TDB 17. Although I've enjoyed many, many fine hunts in these taller craft, the cover has not gotten any taller and hiding can be a challenge.
I - and most of you probably - have hunted sitting on everything from bare floorboards to padded swivel seats. My purpose here is to poll members about their experiences to find out how low can we go - and still be comfortable on long hunts and be able to swing the gun as needed.
This rowing bench does its job - getting up off the floorboards - for more efficient rowing in my Great South Bay Scooter. It does as the backrest when wedged up under the forward coaming.
View attachment Rowing Seat 04.jpg
This is another of the same concept.
[inline "Rowing seat & backrest-in-one.jpg"]
I have used a turkey hunting seat that's about the same elevation. This is an H. R. Strut. I see Mack's PW sells one similar by Avery.
View attachment HR Strut turkey seat.jpg
I've used milk crates. Standard:
(BTW: This mostly serves as a seat and step stool in my shop and around the farm. Half-inch plywood on top makes it sturdy enough for standing and it is inherently stable.)
View attachment Boat Seat - Standard Milk Crate.JPG
Square:
View attachment Boat Seat - Square Milk Crate.JPG
Spackle buckets. I used one for years - for both gunning and projects - but have since bequeathed mine to my wife for gardening.
View attachment 91auLyn2dBL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
There are lots of different lids on the market - some which swivel - which is not important in my experience.
View attachment 158752.jpg
Fancy factory jobs. A back, swivel seat, dry storage - but awfully tall. The last feature certainly makes it easy if you want to stand to shoot - but one's head is way up above the decoys.....
View attachment ACT5613+10.jpg
My ideal gunning seat would be:
1. Waterproof
2. Keep personal gear safe and dry - but accessible
3. Modest in size
4. Comfortable for sitting
5. Comfortable for shooting
6. BE NO TALLER THAN NECESSARY
View attachment Boat Seat - design sketch.jpg
Your experiences? Thoughts?
All the best,
SJS
View attachment Rowing seat & backrest-in-one.jpg
Flowing from discussions with Matt Latini about his South Bay Duckboat renovation, I wanted to consult the members here about duckboat seats -especially in regard to their height off the floor.
I grew up in grassboats and scooters on Great South Bay where there was only one way to hunt: laying on your back whilst waiting for birds, then sitting up to shoot. The low Salt Hay in the marshes or the open bay drove this style of vessel and gunning.
In recent decades, we have seen many fowling craft get taller and taller. I added a removable blind to my Sneakbox so my Dad and I would be more comfortable - and have gunned for many years from my partner's TDB 17. Although I've enjoyed many, many fine hunts in these taller craft, the cover has not gotten any taller and hiding can be a challenge.
I - and most of you probably - have hunted sitting on everything from bare floorboards to padded swivel seats. My purpose here is to poll members about their experiences to find out how low can we go - and still be comfortable on long hunts and be able to swing the gun as needed.
This rowing bench does its job - getting up off the floorboards - for more efficient rowing in my Great South Bay Scooter. It does as the backrest when wedged up under the forward coaming.
View attachment Rowing Seat 04.jpg
This is another of the same concept.
[inline "Rowing seat & backrest-in-one.jpg"]
I have used a turkey hunting seat that's about the same elevation. This is an H. R. Strut. I see Mack's PW sells one similar by Avery.
View attachment HR Strut turkey seat.jpg
I've used milk crates. Standard:
(BTW: This mostly serves as a seat and step stool in my shop and around the farm. Half-inch plywood on top makes it sturdy enough for standing and it is inherently stable.)
View attachment Boat Seat - Standard Milk Crate.JPG
Square:
View attachment Boat Seat - Square Milk Crate.JPG
Spackle buckets. I used one for years - for both gunning and projects - but have since bequeathed mine to my wife for gardening.
View attachment 91auLyn2dBL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
There are lots of different lids on the market - some which swivel - which is not important in my experience.
View attachment 158752.jpg
Fancy factory jobs. A back, swivel seat, dry storage - but awfully tall. The last feature certainly makes it easy if you want to stand to shoot - but one's head is way up above the decoys.....
View attachment ACT5613+10.jpg
My ideal gunning seat would be:
1. Waterproof
2. Keep personal gear safe and dry - but accessible
3. Modest in size
4. Comfortable for sitting
5. Comfortable for shooting
6. BE NO TALLER THAN NECESSARY
View attachment Boat Seat - design sketch.jpg
Your experiences? Thoughts?
All the best,
SJS
View attachment Rowing seat & backrest-in-one.jpg