Apr
13
2009
Following months of anticipation, the first Duckworth open boat in nearly a decade emerged from the factory in Clarkston, Washington. In these early stages of production it’s still tough to visualize the signature style and detail that are hallmarks of the Duckworth legacy. So let’s take these shots for what they are…an opportunity to see what few boat owners ever will – unless they’re willing to remove floorboards and dissect a fully completed model.
At first glance it’s obvious more time and attention went into the welds than the photography. That issue aside, the engineers made decisions on this transom design based on input from a large school of angling experts. This large, level work station offers plenty of room for all rigging, filleting, bait wrapping and tackle fiddling that goes on here. Tackle trays will lie nicely, without fear of being washed overboard. The height is right, and integrated hot water wash station is one of those “once you have one you’ll never be without one” features. Placement of “hot box” internally, rather than hanging over the back of the transom, makes great sense. Simple doors with heavy-duty locks will guard the battery and oil reservoir storage with ample space remaining. Hard to tell from this angle but it appears you should be able to fill the oil reservoir straight from a two gallon jug without having to use a funnel or transfer into a smaller container.
Looking forward everything looks great as well. The bow design is aggressive, yet highly functional with every possible square inch of space made available for storage. A split fish box provides two independent chambers—one for large generous slabs of fish, the other for a wash down pump and room for cleaning and fish processing supplies. Remember you’re looking at a boat with a 96” beam. That fish box is massive.
The forward compartment is also cavernous. More than enough room for a large anchor, ball, rope, buoy, a couple drift socks, extra bumpers, extra rope, a sand spike, spare anchor, six life jackets, lunch, bait, raingear, a collapsible shovel, heater and perhaps even a BBQ. Of course, there will be ample storage in the seat boxes so you’ll probably want to separate the lunches from the bait.
Those complex channels that surround each opening make for a completely water tight, self-draining bow. Your gear has no fear of rain or garden hoses.
It will be interesting to see the interior lines of the bow once the lids are added – there’s a very unique geometry of angles that should really set this model apart from everything else.
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Mar
25
2009
If you’ve been a hard-core angler for more than 30 years this will come as no surprise. If you’re not, it likely will be.
Duckworth has manufactured open-style boats since the late 1960’s. No doubt many of them are still on the water today bonking their fair share of fish. The heydays of the open boat excitement began in the mid 80’s when the Pro-Steelheader models first emerged.
The Pro-Steelheader was custom built for the largest independent dealer of the times, Nixon’s Marine. In fact, most of the earliest models did not even have the signature Duckworth logo on the side. The model was offered in an open tiller style, center console and windshield versions. The quality was exceptional and years ahead of competitors. Unique angling features, designed by several prominent guides of the times, drove sales in a one-way direction—up and up. For many years, demand outpaced production and scores of orders awaited their place in the assembly line.
This version of the Pro-Steelheader built by Duckworth was the original namesake. The name was trademarked at the time but has since expired and is now being used by several other manufactures. (Unfortunate, but true.)
In the 1990’s, production capabilities at Duckworth grew and another equally capable open boat was designed, first and foremost to suit the demands of Alaska’s most prominent fishery on the Kenai River. Aptly named the Kenai model, it was offered in lengths of 16, 17 and 18 feet with a 66” bottom and 26” sides.
During the mid 1990’s, you would have been awestruck by the number of boats competing for the world’s largest salmon. Amongst the rowboats, jon boats, bathtubs and flat bottom sleds, undoubtedly you would have seen dozens of Duckworth Kenai models. The same would also be true on most popular rivers in the west coast.
The Kenai model was created to run the Kenai River which had horsepower limitations for the outboard motors of 35hp. All tolled, Duckworth built approximately 250 open boats. The last open Kenai was produced in 1999 and the last windshield Kenai rolled off the line in 2000.
During the same period, Duckworth also built a Pro I, Pro II and Pro III series of boats – the Pro I was the open version, the Pro II was center console, and Pro III was a windshield version. These models were available in 17, 18, and 19 feet versions. A handful were custom designed for professional guides and carried the “Silverwing Guide” moniker. The Pro series was later renamed the Discovery Series. In 2001 the Discovery Series was replaced by the very successful Advantage series of boats that continues on today, but in windshield versions only.
Comments Off | tags: advantage, advantage duckworth, advantage duckworth duckworth boats Duckworth center console fishing boats Inc. jet boat jet boats jet sled Kenai Kenia magnum new boat open boat open duckworth Renaissance Marine Industries RMG silve, aluminum boats, boat, boat open, boating, boats, center, center console, clackamas, clarkston, columbia, console, duckworth, duckworth boats, fishing, fishing boat, fishing boats Inc., Inc, Industries, jet, jet boats, jet sled, Kenai, Kenia, magnum, Marine, new, open, Renaissance, Renaissance Marine ndustries, river, RMG, salmon, silverwing, snake river, steelhead, tiller, washington, welded, willamette | posted in 20 x 7 Open Boat