Boston Whaler

[Fred McIntire]

Has anyone turned a small Boston Whaler into a duck hunting boat? I saw a hull advertised here locally for a 11'-6" Boston Whaler and got to thinking that it might make a good duck hunting boat for one guy, and possibly a dog. Of course it was pending by the time I called about it

Fred

 

[Carl]

A buddy of mine back in Mobile did with a 13' Whaler. It worked well, very stable.
But some of the older hulls can be waterlogged, so be careful.

 

[roy brewington]

I,ve seen the 13,s turned into duck boats. Someone has one for sale right now on facebook. My only concern would be with that bottom hull design if you get into mud i imagine its stuck till enough water to float. No sliding it around. And beware of the 13,s in rough water . If someone's sitting ahead of midpoint that hull will beat you to death. Surprisingly not bad sitting behind side console though. Buddy of mine use to have one we used for transport to some islands in the bay. I use to have to lay across decoys in front to keep from throwing them out of boat on a rough day.

 

[Chris Hughes]

I have a 13'6 Boston Whaler that I converted to a duck boat. It's a 1969 hull. As Carl stated you have to be careful with the older models. I use it for hunting in the marsh.

 

[Tom Barb]

Has anyone turned a small Boston Whaler into a duck hunting boat? I saw a hull advertised here locally for a 11'-6" Boston Whaler and got to thinking that it might make a good duck hunting boat for one guy, and possibly a dog. Of course it was pending by the time I called about it

Fred

Fred,

There are a few of us around in South Jersey that have converted 13’s. Mine is a 69 that I rebuilt a few years ago. I use a beavertail blind on it and works well.

I will say it’s not the “best” boat for any task whether that be fishing, hunting, or ride quality, but it does a damn fine job at all of them. They say one boat can’t do it all, which is true, but I have found this to be “pretty good” at all those tasks.

Sorry the pics aren’t that great.

 

[Fred McIntire]

Fred,

There are a few of us around in South Jersey that have converted 13’s. Mine is a 69 that I rebuilt a few years ago. I use a beavertail blind on it and works well.

I will say it’s not the “best” boat for any task whether that be fishing, hunting, or ride quality, but it does a damn fine job at all of them. They say one boat can’t do it all, which is true, but I have found this to be “pretty good” at all those tasks.

Sorry the pics aren’t that great.

WoW! You did an excellent job on the rebuild of that boat! I do like the Beavertail blind. I appreciate the pictures.

Thank you,
Fred

 

[roy brewington]

Fine looking job. How skinny can that whaler hull get just to float?

 

[Tom Barb]

Thanks guys. It definitely does the job, although I do regret selling my sneakbox for solo hunts. I am not sure exactly how skinny it can get, but maybe 8-10"? It is a beefy boat which helps for load capacity. I had my fill of pushing boats through the south jersey mud and getting stranded at low tide. I try to stay floating these days.

 

[Capt Rich Geminski]

I coverted a 13' whaler years ago. Could shoot 3 sitting sideways. Decked over the bow with 1/2 plywood [ great place to fish from ]. Put a back to lean against, also a folded flap for over the lap. Sorry no pics, no go on computers.