Mallard

• See photos, homebuilt testimonials and Devlin Shop construction photos in the Mallard 16 Photo Gallery

This is an old and venerable design by now with the first design and boat built more than 20 years ago as I write this. She is of the "SneakBox" type of boat with the transom accommodating up to a 15 hp. outboard motor, but she also rows or poles very well. In fact, of all the "SneakBox" types of boats that we design and build, the little Mallard is the best at rowing. Now all that good rowing performance does cut down into her top speed under power and if you envision blasting around the duck marsh at something exceeding the frostbite limit of the end of your nose then you would do well to search on to another of our designs. But if you are looking for a very fine little duckboat that will power well under oar and will hunt with you and a buddy in a safe and efficient manner then the "Mallard" is a fine selection.

There is positive foam 3 point flotation that allows the boat to float level and upright even if the cockpit were full of water. There is a lot of piece of mind to this flotation and we use it on all of our hunting boats. The hull is built of high grade marine plywood covered with epoxy resin and sheathed on the exterior with epoxy resin and fiberglass cloth. The result is a lightweight, durable boat that isn't as noisy as straight fiberglass or metal boats and the hull itself is more insulative and on a cold day in the marsh, that makes a lot of difference in comfort.

Our "Mallard" is a great boat for the hunter that likes to occasionally hunt alone, or with a buddy and a good dog. She accommodates up to about 3 dozen decoys with two hunters on board and is very concealable (low profile). This is a good, quality duck hunting boat, designed for the marsh and her purpose in life is to place you in circumstances and situations that might just be life memories.