Duck boats

[Ashes1]

I was thinking about getting a 16’ v mod Jon boat or possible a 14’ v haul for duck hunting and maybe fishing. I will be hunting in the Kawartha’s. Does anyone have any advise what would be the better option. I know Jon boats can go in shallow water but would it have any other advantage?


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[trimmer21]

The bigger,the better to take rough water which invariably duck hunting endures,especially,later in the season. My suggestion would be to stick with a minimum of 16' with at least a 25hp. All kinds of neat stuff can be added after market. I like Princecraft and Alumicraft.

[dean.f]

Jon boats are far more stable and plane super easy even with heavy weight on board. That being said I run a v hull and manage just fine, it cuts the waves better than a flat bottom. I'd say the motor will dictate how shallow you can run more than the hull. A loaded 16 foot probably won't like inches of water no matter the hull type. I have a 14 foot v it will go super shallow but I wouldn't trust it on bigger water when the temp drops.

[rick_iles]

I had a 16 foot John boat, for lake St. Clair and Rondeau bay. It was great when the wind wasn’t blowing. Any kind of wind and it would pound the crap out of me.
So, what you plan to use it for, and where you plan on using it, will dictate if it is a good fit for you.
For duck hunting late season, it’s best to have lots of boat under you !!

[Ashes1]

Ok thanks. I was looking at polar Kraft and alumacraft so far. I guess I’ll do some more research on the Kawartha lakes to see how bad waves can be


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[crtech22]

I have a 16’ crest liner job retriever deluxe with a 40 hp. It’s a great duck boat. The only add I’ve thought about is changing to a jet drive for a couple swamps I hunt in. It does beat me up some days on superior if I get caught in some weather.

[networthy]

Timely topic. I am looking at the same. I could of wrote this question. . For hunting Thames River or St Clair on calm mornings. I appreciate the feedback

[rick_iles]

Timely topic. I am looking at the same. I could of wrote this question. . For hunting Thames River or St Clair on calm mornings. I appreciate the feedback

Calm days on St Clair can change to real rough pretty quick that time of year. Don’t skimp on boat size for late season waterfowl, unless you only hunt butterfly days!!
years ago, three of us in a 14 foot mirrocraft got swamped by the first wave we hit coming from the bay, and into the cut at the 8th, after the west wind kicked up ..
Found out that day that mirrocrafts, completely full of water, still float !!

[trimmer21]

Ok thanks. I was looking at polar Kraft and alumacraft so far. I guess I’ll do some more research on the Kawartha lakes to see how bad waves can be


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I saw an awesome unit yesterday late PM on Rice Lake. It was an 18'er with a 90Merc 4-stroke tiller on it (Swamp People style). I couldn't get close enough to see the make,but,it looked like Alumicraft,it was sweet. Fishin' sucked,BTW. I caught one piddlin' little perch that wouldn't cover a cracker. Boat ramps were a zoo. I didn't get off the lake until well after dark. OPP were at the ramps scooping boaters without nav lights. They wrote a lot of tickets.

[Tigboy 304]

I run a 14 ft polar kraft with a 25 e-tec. It's a deep v with a wide beam. It's a tank when you load her up. 16 goose decoys 30 duck decoys guns and 3 guys I can run quinte with no problems.