The American canvas shooting punt is a style of punt which was well-used in America a century ago. It’s portability, at that time was unparalleled and for this reason it is worth while taking a look at its construction.
The plan of the duck hunting boat was waterproof canvas stretched over a wooden frame. The frame was constructed so that it could fold up, being easy for the duck hunter to carry on his shoulder if and when it was necessary to porter round a stretch of the river. In fact, it being easy to carry meant it could be transported to wherever the hunter desired to launch it.
The canvas duck hunting punt was used for flats and marshes, being poled along, though it could also be rowed. Generally, it was between 12′ and 15′ in length, 3′ wide and 1′ deep.
The sides were bolted together with 3/16ths of an inch brass bolts with winged nuts, the hinges were ordinary bar cut hinges. The sides pulled out to a series of V shapes, the end was just one V with the apex of the V being that part of the boat outside the water. A wooden concertina frame formed most of the bottom of the boat with wooden planks laid down horizontally below the two bench seats of the duck hunting boat, for the hunter’s feet to rest on.
There was also a small wooden floor for the hunter who was poling the punt, to stand on.
The wood was either pine or rock elm and India-rubber draft excluders were used to make the joints tight. The loose canvas folded round the hinged joints.
The frame of the duck hunting punt was laid diagonally. All the sides folded in on the bottom. The two seats bolted on to them in such a way as to hold everything firmly together.
It would seem that this type of duck hunting punt is not manufactured today at all though folding canoes and kayaks exist. With small boat manufacturers being encouraged to make use of composite material in boat construction today, it seems improbable that any manufacturer will take on this type of boat construction.
For someone with ingenuity and some skill, it might be worth attempting to construct this canvas duck hunting punt. It would also preserve a little of American history. The total cost to construct it should turn out to be a lot lower than a purchased boat.
To download the free plan of the duck hunting boat go to: http://www.the-boating-store.com
The ‘Free Folding Duck Boat Plans’ is on the home page.
Download a free ebook ‘Ducks at a Distance’ on how to identify waterfowl. All about small boats and the outdoors.
Article Source:
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