What's Odd About This Boat ? I'm no stranger to boats. But I've never seen one like this. It's obviously a special-purpose boat....the purpose for this rig is alien to me.

black mamba

I'm no stranger to boats. But I've never seen one like this. It's obviously a special-purpose boat....the purpose for this rig is alien to me.

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Dano Loc: North Carolina

Looks like it's set up for shallow water trawling... maybe shrimp. "Well" boats (motor in the middle) are often used to keep the propellers away from the nets. The deck in the back allows setting and retrieving the nets. The tower helps to visually navigate shallow water. Just my guess based on time in the Chesapeake and NC coastal waters.

Mr. B Loc: eastern Connecticut

Since all boats, including canoes and kayaks steer from the rear when underway, I wonder how it handles? If it's a shrimper/fisher in shallow water I guess you'd never have to get it up on plane and your turns would be slow. I've never seen one like it.

black mamba

Dano wrote:

Looks like it's set up for shallow water trawling... maybe shrimp. "Well" boats (motor in the middle) are often used to keep the propellers away from the nets. The deck in the back allows setting and retrieving the nets. The tower helps to visually navigate shallow water. Just my guess based on time in the Chesapeake and NC coastal waters.

Thanks for responding, You note some very valid points as to the practicality of this configuration. I surmised that this type of boat would be much more common in certain areas of the country. The shrimping industry in big in Florida, where I live, but it is almost exclusively limited to large boats operating offshore.

Tom

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Dano wrote:

Looks like it's set up for shallow water trawling... maybe shrimp. "Well" boats (motor in the middle) are often used to keep the propellers away from the nets. The deck in the back allows setting and retrieving the nets. The tower helps to visually navigate shallow water. Just my guess based on time in the Chesapeake and NC coastal waters.

That was going top be my guess also, you said it better.

black mamba

Mr. B wrote:

Since all boats, including canoes and kayaks steer from the rear when underway, I wonder how it handles? If it's a shrimper/fisher in shallow water I guess you'd never have to get it up on plane and your turns would be slow. I've never seen one like it.

You make the same observations and draw the same conclusions as I did. Even at slow speeds, the handling would be a bit strange to me. The directional response and control is an issue I'd sure have to get used to.

Thanks for looking in and commenting.

Tom

black mamba

bobmcculloch wrote:

That was going top be my guess also, you said it better.

When I consider the environment this boat is being used in..shallow back-waters..the design makes a lot of sense.
Still, I'm exposed to that kind of environment quite frequently and this is the first time I've seen a boat like this one.

Thanks for visiting and commenting.

Tom

Dano Loc: North Carolina

In NC I see a lot of well boats in the sound, but most have the motor at the stern. I'm guessing that having the well far forward would keep the boat level regardless of speed/load, making it better in really shallow water. And I agree with Mr. B, I can't imagine it getting up on plane. Thanks for posting... it's always fun to think about being on the water!

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Dano wrote:

In NC I see a lot of well boats in the sound, but most have the motor at the stern. I'm guessing that having the well far forward would keep the boat level regardless of speed/load, making it better in really shallow water. And I agree with Mr. B, I can't imagine it getting up on plane. Thanks for posting... it's always fun to think about being on the water!

I remember a few of Them in Great Kills Harbor when I was a teen, not sure about the reason but I do remember slowing down too fast in a rental OB and getting a following sea in the boat and all over the motor. They were all neat wooden boats though

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jederick Loc: Northern Utah

Could be used for Tarpon fly fishing in shallow water...from the rear platform.

black mamba

Those large buckets near the stern have me convinced this rig was used in shrimping activities. They are handy receptacles for the shrimp as the nets are brought on board.

Earnest Botello Loc: Hockley, Texas

Great find, Tom, never seen anything like it, I come from a fishing town. I doubt that it is used for shrimping, no outriggers, the motor is to far forward for any fast maneuvering, for shallow water use, yes, some kind of fishing boat.

Dano Loc: North Carolina

black mamba wrote:

Those large buckets near the stern have me convinced this rig was used in shrimping activities. They are handy receptacles for the shrimp as the nets are brought on board.

Or the buckets may hold large cast nets.

black mamba

bobmcculloch wrote:

I remember a few of Them in Great Kills Harbor when I was a teen, not sure about the reason but I do remember slowing down too fast in a rental OB and getting a following sea in the boat and all over the motor. They were all neat wooden boats though

.

Thanks for looking in. I appreciate you commenting.

Tom

black mamba

jederick wrote:

Could be used for Tarpon fly fishing in shallow water...from the rear platform.

It could well be a multi use rig.

Thanks for the visit.