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On some days when I have
pulled on the starter rope until my arm is aching and
the (S.O.B.) engine is still not wanting to start, my
thoughts and fantasies go to a simpler time when such
smelly things weren't considered a regular part of the
hunting boats necessary equipment. On one of those days,
the seeds were planted for the simple Pole Boat. This is
a proper boat that can haul and hunt up to two hunters
and one that can be properly rowed and or poled out to
the hunting grounds. Back in the days when you didn't
have to run out 5-10 miles to get to the hunting area
and back in the days when there weren't established
launch ramps all over the place, these types of boats
abounded. In fact, what you would have seen is many
flavors of these types of boats with a compact and
stowable sailing rig hunting all over marshes (where
birds can be found). Rowing out in the morning before
first light and before the wind built for the day, and
at the end of the hunt as soon as your limit was
reached, stepping the mast and sailing back as quickly
as possible. This is a real hunting experience and one
that few of us hunters these days can and will
experience. The Poleboat is light enough in weight that
you could car-top it (if the bed of your truck is filled
with something else) and you can launch it without much
fuss in an area that doesn't have formal launch ramps. I
often find that it is easier to unload from the truck at
marsh's edge and simply grab onto the bow and slide it
over the grass and cattails until I reach deep enough
water to float her. If I wear hip-waders then I can flip
over the side into the cockpit, reaching down to grab
the push-pole and force her the rest of the way through
the cattails to deep water. Some of this hunting with
only a dozen high-quality hand made decoys at most is
really productive and enjoyable. Think about it, there
might be a better way to hunt than with all the junk
that has to go along with a motored boat. Sometimes
simpler is indeed better, and in that case, the Pole
Boat shines.
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Specifications |
| Length |
13'-2" |
| Beam |
3'-8½" |
| Draft |
5½" (loaded) |
| Weight |
98 lbs |
| Weight |
98 lbs |
| Power |
Pole / oar |
| Max. load |
360 lbs |
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