Layout Boats - 4 rivers / Marsh Rat / Aquapod ????

[Tulelicious]

I'm doing some research on layout boats since I'm planning on buying one some time in the near future. I have a couple questions. My budget is under $1000 preferably closer to $600.

I need a boat that will fit reasonably well in the back of my short bed pickup so I've been looking at the small 4 rivers, or the Marsh Rat, Aqua Pods Exceed my budget and the larger boats may be nice but I don't think a 12' to 13' boat will be easy to manage without a trailer.

Marsh Rat makes two boats one that has a capacity of 260lbs and one that has a capacity of 320 lbs, the magnum. I like the small scale of the smaller boat but am concerned about the weight capacity since I weigh close to 220 myself.

Does anyone have any other brands of comparable boats that I have not found and or does anyone have the smaller Marsh rat that can give me some idea's about its capacity or capabilities?

Has anyone successfully put oar locks on any of these boats? Electric motors?

My last question is to anyone who has purchased a 4 rivers. Is there any additional shipping charge beyond their listed price on the web site?

Thank you all for you help and if any one would like to chime in about any more of these style of boat its is all welcome. I am looking for goo info from actual users.

Bryan

[Headhunter]

Bryan,

The price on the 4 Rives website does not include shipping. The 13.6ft is a bit gangly and can be hard to manage with one person. 11ft might be the way to go if solo and wanting to put a motor on it.

Momarsh Fatboy is another option but once again both are going to be $1K = shipping.

[Dave Smith]

Bryan, I have had lot's of them in the past and have finally narrowed it down to just one and that is the "smaller" Marsh Rat. I liked the bigger boats and I like fiberglass, but I hated lugging them around and found myself not using them as often. You cannot go wrong with a Four Rivers or MoMarsh and a few others, I just like the Marsh Rat- it's portable and hides and shoots really well. Alot of what I do is tidal stuff so I'm not out in huge open water alot.
You are welcome to come by and pick up this Marsh Rat and and take it for a few days to test it out.
Dave

[Headhunter]

Here you go:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/boa/851453203.html

[RGB]

I've been looking at those same two model's. How well does a 6' guy fit in one of the smaller layout boats?

[HonkerKnocker]

Hey Bryan
Im located in Battle Ground right by battle ground lake...I recently picked up a marsh rat and I like it a lot. It fits perfect in the back of my pick up and I can handle it on my own...If you want to meet me at the lake sometime to test one out just shoot me a pm and Id be more than happy to meet up with ya'

[Tulelicious]

you guys with the Marsh rats are they the Magnums? how much weight do they seem to take? Thanks for the offers to test them out. Honker Knocker I may just take you up on that since your close to me.

Bryan

[HonkerKnocker]

Mine is not the magnum...its the regular old base line model....Im not sure on the weight the marshrat web site should be able to tell you...I can pick mine up no problem but its heavy enough that I wouldnt want to drag it (learned the hard way) to far...Im working on a way to build a small wheel set up for the bottom because a lot of the spots I want to use it to hunt require a walk in

[Tulelicious]

I'm concerned about the Capacity of weight they will hold not necessarily their weight them selves. The small rats are rated to max out at 260 lbs and by the time I get myself and gear aboard I may be pushing that limit I fear.

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by HonkerKnocker

Mine is not the magnum...its the regular old base line model....Im not sure on the weight the marshrat web site should be able to tell you...I can pick mine up no problem but its heavy enough that I wouldnt want to drag it (learned the hard way) to far...Im working on a way to build a small wheel set up for the bottom because a lot of the spots I want to use it to hunt require a walk in

I'm thinking you might like one of these



There are actually two different models, the Tote and the Cart.

The Cart is a little narrower and has smaller wheels w/treads and is good for harder ground/roads/trails etc.

The Tote is better for soft marshy/sandy surfaces and extreme mud.

The wheels come off quickly with QD pins and the carts & totes fold flat to stow or store.

If you're interested Google "Rolleez".

[Headhunter]

Bryan,

I am a rookie on all this and just now getting into the game so I might be way off base here. Its all about where you hunt, style of hunting, and application you will use it. If you are going to use it on any sort of open water without a tender/bigger boat I would be concerned. If this is for little ponds or places like SI my guess is you should be good to go.

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

I'm concerned about the Capacity of weight they will hold not necessarily their weight them selves. The small rats are rated to max out at 260 lbs and by the time I get myself and gear aboard I may be pushing that limit I fear.

[Tulelicious]

If I hunt open water I will be in an 18' sled I may take this along depending on the situation. Mostly I want this for skinny water for access and to hunt places I cannot access nor hunt from foot. I would mostly use is in the columbia and in coastal bays but I would not be using it to get to and from hunting spots that require crossing open water.

Originally Posted by Headhunter

Bryan,

I am a rookie on all this and just now getting into the game so I might be way off base here. Its all about where you hunt, style of hunting, and application you will use it. If you are going to use it on any sort of open water without a tender/bigger boat I would be concerned. If this is for little ponds or places like SI my guess is you should be good to go.

[duck_crazy101]

idk i like marsh rats but thats just me

[HuntNFishAddict]

I have one of the original style of marshrat. I guess it is the fiberglass version. I have hunted in open water as well as marsh. I like the marsh a little better. The boat is very stable and handles a load well. Here is a picture of some birds from a couple of years ago. I had 3 doz dekes myself and my 70lb lab. No problem. (not open water, would not recommend that).

Good luck with the decision.
Jason

[Tulelicious]

Thru Looking online tonight I did realize that Aquapod makes a 10' boat within the price range Im looking at so if anyone has any opinions on these boats please speak up.

Thank you everyone else for the responses so far.

[quackersnacker]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

I'm concerned about the Capacity of weight they will hold not necessarily their weight them selves. The small rats are rated to max out at 260 lbs and by the time I get myself and gear aboard I may be pushing that limit I fear.

Don't forget to add on the weight of 7 fat greenies and 4 westerns . I've paddled both the 8' and 10' Aquapod and the 10' would be my first choice. Tracks nice, feels roomy and hauls quite a bit. If I remember, the weight capacity is quite a bit better than with the MR. My budget, however, will keep me checking the classifieds for the first decent used model of any brand. I gotta start somewhere.

[QH's Paw]

I have a 10' aquapod and use it alot. I feel comfortable paddling it around or pulling it with a tender. I am able to carry myself,2 bags of deeks and the dog. I just bought the popup seat from attbar at the OWF this year and am intending to use it in more of a layout situation then previous seasons. Heck, I might even paint it gray or make a gray canvas cover for it.
It will hold 2 teenagers and a dog.

[TheJester357]

I have a marshrat, and while I love the size, there is some things that I don't like about it. I'm a big guy at 275, and my shoulders don't fit through the 20 inch opening in the marshrat very well, especially with a heavy coat. I tried the aquapod and found it to have the same problem. The Momarsh fatboy is great, if you have that much bling to get rid of.

My solution was to build a Hybrid duck boat. It's 8' long, weighs less than 70 lbs, and will fit everyone I've tried to put in it. I have a buddy that weighs in at 325, and he can hunt out of it comfortably. I even put enough flotation foam in it to keep it floating if filled with water. You can get the plans for free from Missedagain on the refuge in the Boats and Blinds forum. Let me know if you want some pictures or need help getting plans. Best of luck.

Bob

[Tulelicious]

Bob

I would love to see some pictures, Im sure some others may like to see them as well. I did consider building but for the price savings and time invested I was figuring it was just better to buy. Is you boat wood with fiberglass overlay? I would like to hear some more details about it.

Originally Posted by TheJester357

My solution was to build a Hybrid duck boat. It's 8' long, weighs less than 70 lbs, and will fit everyone I've tried to put in it. I have a buddy that weighs in at 325, and he can hunt out of it comfortably. I even put enough flotation foam in it to keep it floating if filled with water. You can get the plans for free from Missedagain on the refuge in the Boats and Blinds forum. Let me know if you want some pictures or need help getting plans. Best of luck.

Bob

[Headhunter]

Finally put a little grass on the HuntnFish/Headhunter 4Rivers.

[TheJester357]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

Bob

I would love to see some pictures, Im sure some others may like to see them as well. I did consider building but for the price savings and time invested I was figuring it was just better to buy. Is you boat wood with fiberglass overlay? I would like to hear some more details about it.

It's wood with fiberglass. It took us about 3 days to get the first one together, and i was very suprised at how stable and strong it was. We're in the middle of building one for a friend right now, so I'll show you some pictures of the build.





Here's the first one

[Tulelicious]

Very nice looking boat. What kind of cost are you into it.

[TheJester357]

Originally Posted by Tulelicious

Very nice looking boat. What kind of cost are you into it.

About $250. You can build it for less, but we wanted some special features in it (gun holder, floatation foam, handles. etc.)


Bob

[AtItAgain]

Bob,

Have you towed that behind a power boat? If so, how did it work?

Thanks,

Mike

[TheJester357]

Originally Posted by AtItAgain

Bob,

Have you towed that behind a power boat? If so, how did it work?

Thanks,

Mike

It works good, alot like towing a marshrat. I just put it out 50 feet or so and let her rip. I never go full speed, but it'll tow very well at half throttle.

Bob

[billc_sbio]

I'll throw another Wild Card in here (just to keep things "interesting")

Another option is to go small and light.

Sometimes for distant carry ins on small ponds and potholes and backwaters, something like this can be really handy.



At times I do use it in "Layout mode".

It's my Maxi-Poke Boat, which for extended distance trips goes on that Rolleez Cart, along with gun and a bag of deeks.

I don't have mine grassed (nor set up for grassing, although I could), but use some netting and just pile some vegetation or tree branches on it when I get to my hunting site.

The downside is its relatively limited carrying capacity & no room for a dog. And, being somewhat of a "kayak" style boat it's a bit on the tippy side, but it is very Stealthy.

The plus side of it is that it only weighs 34# and I can pick it up and carry it under one arm! The more expen$ive Kevlar version only weighs 27#.

Just a thought for you...

[TheJester357]

That's a sweet setup, what do they cost?


Bob

[billc_sbio]

Originally Posted by TheJester357

That's a sweet setup, what do they cost?


Bob

Yes it is...very DEADLY on Ducks & Geese as a Sneakboat on winding sloughs, especially on foggy mornings!

Hmm...not sure what the current prices are.

I bought this one ~10 yr.s ago.

And even then they seemed a little $pendy (I thought).

But what I did was to notice that they mentioned that they often have "cosmetic 2nds" and called them about that.

Turns out they did, and I saved ~$300 off the MSRP.

Since they're all hand laid-up boats, (that's part of the secret of their light weight, different numbers of layers of Fiberglass CLOTH material in different places depending on the strength needed in different locations) they do end up with some resin runs here, an occasional surface void there.

(Nothing that some sandpaper and maybe a little Polyester Resin and ~1 hr.'s time didn't fix)

So, if you're interested, check out their website and then don't forget "Save $$$, buy a 2nd"!

[snazl]

Aquapods Glide And Paddle More Like A Canoe, Marshrats Don't.

[Tvfowlhunter]

I like the classic Marsh Rat (Fiberglass version). I am a pretty big guy, and like the extra capacity and room to laydown in with the FA Elimnator like doors closed.

[Tulelicious]

Well I originally started out not looking at the aquapod cause I remembered them being in the $1500 range. I was wrong. Stopped by the factory and they had this beauty in their scratch and dent section. I couldn't help myself.






Thank you all for all your help and I'm sure I made the right decision. I got this for a little bit more than the marshrat and decided to go this route because of the higher weight capacity, It has a few more avaliable options and I was told by several people that it tracks a little nicer than the marshrat. I also thought that the pointed nose might split reeds and grass a little easier than the sqare nose of the rat.

Four rivers lost out cause the cost was just a little too much for me right now. Espically after shipping.

Now off to building some blind doors for this baby.

[Headhunter]

You are going to love it! Well done.

[ogrejager]

Hey, Tule, at the cost of hijacking the thread, what is that with the tires and diamond plate behind the boat?

[BrotherWolf]

now you see it











now you dont




gloves? maybe

[Tulelicious]

Ogrejager

Originally Posted by ogrejager

Hey, Tule, at the cost of hijacking the thread, what is that with the tires and diamond plate behind the boat?

http://www.ifish.net/board/showthrea...highlight=jeep

[Hunt'nFish]

Hey, congrats on the new hide. So many spots to use and 107 days to do it.
Hunt'nFish