Since the ducks have failed to find our duck lease this year, I thought I'd take a little time to detail my 2000 godevil duck skiff remodel. I have always had a desire to own one of these boats, so when the opportunity arose in 2012, I pulled the trigger. When I bought the boat it was equipped with a 16hp longtail that I used through the 2015 season. Motor still ran, but with a growing son, I could feel the boat getting slower and slower each year. So in October I decide it was time to upgrade to a surface drive unit. I purchased a 2014 mudbuddy 25 mini for the re-power. I was concerned about the additional weight the new motor would add, so I removed the flotation pods on port and starboard side and relocated the battery and gas tank to the front of the boat. The foam I removed was not wet, but the aluminum and foam weighed in at nearly 40 lbs. Since I completely removed the flotation pods, I was concerned that I removed some of the transom support, so I had a friend of mine's brother weld in some extra support. Come to find out my friend's brother used to work for Godevil and had actually built my boat (his initials are stamped on the bow ). I also removed the flotation from the floors (it too was dry). Since the start of duck season was right around the corner I opted to paint with krylon shaky cans. I know the paint job won't last but a few seasons, but I always touch it up after each season. With the weight removed and relocated the mud buddy 25 pushes the boat loaded at 21 mph (3 men, 2 dozen decoys, ice chest, blind, 3 gals of fuel). With just me and blind (which drags in the water) it pushes 24 mph. I plan on adding hydro-turf to the floors and front deck at the conclusion of duck season. I'll add pics of the boat with the blind when I get back to the duck camp.

Pics of the finished product

Last ones

Man that looks like a jam-up little rig. I wouldn't mind having one of the duck skiff models one day.

X2.. cool little rig

Boat definitely has its pros and cons, but I like it.
Pro: super easy to hide. Just run right into the cattails or roseau canes.
Pro: able to run down smaller ditches
Pro: performs very well in shallow water and grass
Con: very tight quarters, make hunting more than 3 people a challenge. I have hunted 2 kids and 2 adults out of the boat comfortably.
Con: not very good in rough water. You will get wet.

If you find one for sale, better snatch it up quick because they don't last very long on the market.

Good to know that it will hold that surface drive. I am about to trade my 1860 for a 18 foot duck skiff and down the road planning to hang a 25 gdsd on the back. They're cool boats and it's gona suit me a lot better than the barge I'm currently operating.


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There's not much I for on these boats on line. Very few pics and no videos


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look at that thing, would ya look at that! You should just sell it to me and be done with it!!!

Sweet rig for sure.

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Another pic of the boat with the blind installed.

PM Sent brotha! Thanks!