Nice rig. Are you going to hunt with the high blind or sneak box style, laying with you back toward the bow under a dodger?

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

Both, depending on where I hunt. If there are 2 of us, will use the blind (which would be a first for me). Otherwise I believe just the dodger. Previously had a MLB Zach Taylor and that's how I hunted that boat. My Carstens canvasback had a small blind.

Those things are amazing. I had one of the nc built ones. 25hp would fly through the marsh, skip in the corners. Was a really versatile rig. We would load it up with decoys and 2 layout blinds bungeed to the front. Got us into all kinds of skinny water. All you needed was a few inches and she?d get you there. Buddy of mine who went all the time was a little freaked out by the fact you could see the hull up near the bow flex sometimes when it was choppy. Just to date myself I bought it on eBay. Drove all the way from The eastern shore to buffalo to get it. Don?t ever sell it. Wish I didn?t.

I also have a blackjack with a 25 on it and marsh hunt in South Jersey. Great boat for everything I do, including running up the bayshore if I have to. Hides easy, needs 4-5"s to float it. easy to hide. Also plenty of room for one person and a dog, for two people the blind like you have is better. I just grass my boat as I am normally hunting alone in it.

Thanks for the input. I'm excited about the maiden voyage. I may have purchased it to late to get it out for the first half, which ends this coming weekend ( a few minor issues, wiring, blind repair, and a new water pump impeller needed). But i'm also considering changing out the motor and going with a 15 hp 4 stroke honda ( comparable weight). i would then have electric start and charging ability.

Check out some of the other 15-20hp 4 stokes out there. There are some lighter than the Hondas
And ordering online if you are looking at new. There are at least two companies east of the Mississippi that ship and have great prices.

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Carl
Mobile, AL
DHBP Member since 1998

"Life is too short to drink bad beer."
Disclaimer: This post and/or report is not a substantiation of or reflection on the true accuracy of the present surveying methods. It is only a report on or comment concerning local observation and/or results. Your results and observation may vary based on your location, local water conditions, food supply, weather conditions and migratory patterns "

I,ve had a Blackjack twice. Bought it new w/blind in late 80,s . Sold it when kids got big enough to hunt with me. Always regretted selling. Seen one come up for sale about 10 years ago and turned out was my old boat. Bought it back and built a sit up blind on it of my design from cordura nylon. Hunted it a lot for about 5 years and resold it to a member on here. First time around I had a new 25 Merc 2 stroke on it. It would fly. Second time around I put a Merc 15 2 stroke on it. Not enough motor. Took forever to plane with myself, decoys, blind & 70 lb. lab. 25 h.p. 2 stroke is the sweet spot for that hull loaded. The 15 would plane it fine with just me in it unloaded, just not loaded.

I had the exact same experience except with the Arthur Armstrong Broadbill. It was a dog with a 15 2 stroke, which was probably more power than today's 4 stroke. Keep the motor you have, assuming compression is good. I think you'll regret going down in hp.

Eric