BigBendFishing.Net

It's a long shot but figured one of you duck hunters may have one gathering dust somewhere.

Sold one 3 years ago. With my size, it was like light beer and indian canoe sex ... just too close to the water.

Might be worth giving him a call. I wanted one several years ago and called him up. He had just delivered 15 to Tallahassee and Jacksonville (I actually passed him on T-ville road the day before). He made me believe he had made that trip with boats more than once.

By the way...this has been the best money I have spent on my duck hunting stuff (and I have spent a lot). 2 man is a 1 man, though.

It's not a Chapman but....

http://staugustine.craigslist.org/boa/1456836495.html

Brian

Just get yourself a Commander 120


http://paddlesport.wordpress.com/commander-120/

Jsuber,You think they will ever go to a 135 or 14 in a commander?got a ride now but like the looks of the commander but just dont like a 12 ft boat.Is it as stable as a ride?

Suber.. why you got to keep posting photos of new yaks. I'm trying to be happy with what I got.... But that is a Great looking yak.

It probably comes down to me just being a glass man, but the chapman is hand laid glass so it is lighter than the Yaks. For what I want it for the pirogue is just a better fit I think. It's a bit longer, wider and arguably will draft less, not to mention it's about half the price.

Its hard to beat these plastic boats.
I remember the first time my Yak dropped out the back of the truck... I was tired and in a rush and forgot to strap it in.
Just knew I'd ruined it... Nothing wrong at all.

I must say, having spent plenty of time in both a Chapman and different forms of kayaks, they are two very different animals. As with anything (no one perfect boat), there are very distinguishable differences that will determine what you will end up happier with.

For stability, the winner is clearly a kayak. However, Chapman's boats are incredibly light and slick bottom (on the "pro" side of the argument) - two things that will make your seat pucker a bit with excessive movement- that make for an incredibly smooth and quick paddle. For ducks, I will paddle up on a floating island and push with the paddle to get all the way on the grass/mud/etc. This is not as easy with a kayak. Once on the island, I can walk around with no problems. Dove stool and some camo sheets and I have a wonderful shooting platform---something NOT as easy in a kayak where you will likely be stuck with more of a layout style situation. Also, the space is incredibly different with the pirogue. You might also see me towing it behind my Beavertail for those longer trips I dont want to paddle, but cant get into with the bigger boat once there (i.e., gator holes at Micc.).

The Chapman's draft is crazy. I can float in less than 3 inches of water. Puddles really. Another benefit of the flat bottom. Also, the light weight helps a ton in this category, obviously. In deeper water, you will not find me whipping around a flyrod or setting the hook on anything really. Not only does the stability problem come in, but so does the fact that you are basically sitting on the water line. It is amazing the difference that a few inches will make (sitting a little higher in a kayak). This is not a fishing boat, but paddles like a dream. Comfort is also on the kayak side, but that can be remedied somewhat with a good "crazy creek" or similar seat cushion.

Transport is very easy. I flip it over and carry it over my head or on my shoulder to the truck and slide it on a rack I made for the back of my truck. People have literally laughed at the landing when I whip this thing around and over my head. Believe me, I am no weight lifter. I have had guys at the landing say "let me try that" because they cant believe it is that easy.

Clearly, I love my Chapman for what it is, but only because I recognize its limitations. PM if you want to hop in.

We used to make out own Pirogue but we didnlt glass them in. I bet the Chapman is nice, but if you want to compare it bring one out and we will have a commander at Maclay Gardens Sunday from 10-4 on Sunday along with lots of other yaks. By the way I don't have one yak that does not draft more than three inches. That Commander has a tri-hull on the bottom so its great for standing in and its dry with no scuppers. Plenty of room to get in and out. Its more of a hybrid, and I hear news there may be a 14.5 in the future. Very near future.

Just as an FYI, I duck hunted in skinny water with two friends this past Saturday. I was in my 10 foot fiberglass AquaPod and they were paddling a one man pirogue and a 2 man pirogue. The AquaPod floated in less water but all three boats did well. We were in a mud slurry with about two inches of water and I was drifting off while they were stationary. Here’s a photo of a AquaPod (it’s not me).



I’m happy with mine but wish it was roto molded plastic rather than fiberglass. Here is the link if you’re interested:
http://www.aquapodboats.com/products.php

BrogensDuck, I enjoyed your last post. Real nice post.

Brian