My 9yr old boy has joined me on my deer and dove hunts since he was 5 years old. He was immediately hooked. 3 yrs ago he was watching hunting shows and started nagging me about duck hunting. I had never tried it so I hired a guide and off we went. We are both utterly and insanely hooked! Since then I have hired a guide every year but at $600 a trip, I cannot afford to keep it up. Especially since we would like to take advantage of a full season. I figured the best way to do that was to buy a jon boat for us to go whenever possible. I’ve never had a boat and this january i rushed into buying a used lowe 1648, which friends told me was a good size. Came with a 30hp tohatsu 2-stroke. I have put a lot of work into it to make it look good, adding floatation pods, and making sure it’s safe and reliable. My boy and I have taken it out on the water a few times to get the hang of the tiller steering and balancing on the boat etc. The problem now is it has occurred to me that in the past we’ve always gone as a group with 2 other father/son pairs. I believe a little group makes things more fun. I’m wondering if anyone has any experience on this size boat fitting the # of people I would like. We would only need to get to the location, not hunt out of the boat, but it is about a 10 mile hike on coastal salt flats ranging from 4ft to 6inches deep. If ya’ll just think this is just asking too much or unsafe, i would appreciate your input. And if anyone happens to have a pic of a 1648 with 5-6 guys in it, please post! Lastly, would a 1652 be any better as far as space for people? If my 1648 will not work, i MIGHT be able to go 1652, but thats about all i can afford. Obviously would rather not spend anymore at all though
Jogar80
You sound like a good Dad! 
This is just opinion as I have not owned many boats. There are smarter guys here that should chime in. My opinion is 6 people will be cramped, with gear, decoys, etc. Weight capacity is probably 1,000 pounds which you should be OK on but the kids will grow and Dad bod's happen. Most duck hunters like taking 1,000 pounds of gear alone.
The shallow water ride might save you here on safety but it will still be cramped which can effect maneuverability . Don't know how long on the water or water temps but slow is good. If you're serious about the sport, a trained retriever for duck hunting is a must imo ethically and otherwise. Just a thought.
But you may change friends, numbers of hunters, etc. Or another Dad may pony up for their own and you meet at the ramp. I'd hate to be dependant on someone to duck hunt and I'd hate for them to be dependant on me.
A few years ago I did see wildlife po-po pulling a 14 footer off the water right after the left the launch. It looked ridiculously over crowded and unsafe. If you had an 18 footer, it would be better. But - it's a lot of money and things change so wouldn't do that now. Soon enough your boy will discover girls and their interest can change for a few years.
So...I wouldn't change a thing right now but get on the water with 6 people and figure out space. Decoy bags take up a lot of room. I'd say you're pushing it but not unsafe. Don't think the 52 would matter in this case (worth the extra money and hassle).
Post a pic if you can, everyone loves seeing boat pictures!
This is just opinion as I have not owned many boats. There are smarter guys here that should chime in. My opinion is 6 people will be cramped, with gear, decoys, etc. Weight capacity is probably 1,000 pounds which you should be OK on but the kids will grow and Dad bod's happen. Most duck hunters like taking 1,000 pounds of gear alone.
The shallow water ride might save you here on safety but it will still be cramped which can effect maneuverability . Don't know how long on the water or water temps but slow is good. If you're serious about the sport, a trained retriever for duck hunting is a must imo ethically and otherwise. Just a thought.
But you may change friends, numbers of hunters, etc. Or another Dad may pony up for their own and you meet at the ramp. I'd hate to be dependant on someone to duck hunt and I'd hate for them to be dependant on me.
A few years ago I did see wildlife po-po pulling a 14 footer off the water right after the left the launch. It looked ridiculously over crowded and unsafe. If you had an 18 footer, it would be better. But - it's a lot of money and things change so wouldn't do that now. Soon enough your boy will discover girls and their interest can change for a few years.
So...I wouldn't change a thing right now but get on the water with 6 people and figure out space. Decoy bags take up a lot of room. I'd say you're pushing it but not unsafe. Don't think the 52 would matter in this case (worth the extra money and hassle).
Post a pic if you can, everyone loves seeing boat pictures!
I have a 1652 Seaark with a hard sided blind. It’s tight with three guys and a dog. My hunting buddies run 1860’s and can hunt four out of the boat. I know you said you don’t need to hunt out if it but you never know. All three boats have surface drives. I am realistically at max weight on my 1652 when full of gear and it is hard to get it on plane. I want to upgrade soon.
If you go that route make sure the hull is designed for a mud motor.
If you go that route make sure the hull is designed for a mud motor.
6 people, a dog(s) and gear calls for a large craft. (20X60) minimum and a 10 mile trek at 4 am can be interesting to say the least.
I'd opt for an 18x60 with a 35 to 40 HP surface drive and have one of my hunting partners consider the same. It's more enjoyable if it's two boats running on plane in the dark vs. one and probably quiet a bit safer. we normally hunt with two to 4 people in a group and if were buddy hunting with 5 or more it's automatically a 2 boat adventure. Also if you have a boat issue, you have a "tow boat" with you already as most of the time, cell service is unavailable when you need it the most. Just get ready to have a second mortgage when you pull the trigger on that new rig though.
Lastly, if you duck/goose hunt, get a duck/ goose hunting boat and not a fishing boat. There is a huge difference and if your going to spend the money, might as well spend it on a quality craft.
We currently run Go-devil, Gator Trax, GTR and Pro-Drive depending on our hunting party and the terrain we plan on hunting; however there are quite a few different purpose built boat mfg. out there so do your homework and find what works best for you and your hunting situation.
Good luck
I'd opt for an 18x60 with a 35 to 40 HP surface drive and have one of my hunting partners consider the same. It's more enjoyable if it's two boats running on plane in the dark vs. one and probably quiet a bit safer. we normally hunt with two to 4 people in a group and if were buddy hunting with 5 or more it's automatically a 2 boat adventure. Also if you have a boat issue, you have a "tow boat" with you already as most of the time, cell service is unavailable when you need it the most. Just get ready to have a second mortgage when you pull the trigger on that new rig though.
Lastly, if you duck/goose hunt, get a duck/ goose hunting boat and not a fishing boat. There is a huge difference and if your going to spend the money, might as well spend it on a quality craft.
We currently run Go-devil, Gator Trax, GTR and Pro-Drive depending on our hunting party and the terrain we plan on hunting; however there are quite a few different purpose built boat mfg. out there so do your homework and find what works best for you and your hunting situation.
Good luck
Safety is your main concern. The 16' Lowes are great boats. They are tough as nails. I have an 18' War Eagle /40hp Yamaha. I don't like hunting more than 3 people at a time. By the time you load 3 people which includes you, decoys, gear and maybe a dog, you run out of room quick. I also insist that everyone wears a PFD while underway. Waterfowling has it pitfalls. Weather can be bitter. Water is cold and can be choppy. If it looks if'y don't be afraid to call the hunt and do it another day. Waterfowler's don't get too many second chances when things go wrong. I make it a point to tell my wife where I will be at with Lat and Long in case of any problem. I also bought a personal emergency beacon from ACR which goes on every hunt with me, regardless.
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A 16 footer with a 30 horse outboard will strain to get on plane with four people. Two people, no problem. Three people; depends on the total weight of those three people. If you want to hunt in a group of six, then at least three of the others will have to supply their own boat(s).
By the way, $600 for a two-person duck hunt is a bargain. Around here they want four times that amount, for ONE hunter, and only offer three-day hunts for that.
By the way, $600 for a two-person duck hunt is a bargain. Around here they want four times that amount, for ONE hunter, and only offer three-day hunts for that.
I've got a 1756 with a 50 on the back.... it's rated for 4 people and 4 guys with a full hunting load is pushing the limits of what is really safe if on big water like the MO river I run or a few of the large lakes. Although its most common to only have 2-3 of us.
for a 1648 3 guys with hunting gear is the max I would run. 4 with minimal gear.
for hunting 6 guys like mentioned above a 2060 is where you need to be, or run two boats. and frankly the flexibility of having two boats is the best option IMO.
for a 1648 3 guys with hunting gear is the max I would run. 4 with minimal gear.
for hunting 6 guys like mentioned above a 2060 is where you need to be, or run two boats. and frankly the flexibility of having two boats is the best option IMO.
G3 makes a great boat. If I had it to do over, I would go with a 20 ' or 21'. You run out of room quick when you start loading gear. At 73, While I have no intention of hanging it up, I don't see me buying a new rig.
Anybody ever used a Beavertail 2000 for skinny water. I looked at the videos but still not sure.
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