Layout boat

Layout boat with decoys

One-man layout boat

"Bluebill" scaup

Canvasback

Bufflehead

A layout boat is a low-profile un-motorized oval-like boat that is used by diver duck hunters to hide in when hunting in open water. They are unique to a specialized form of waterfowl hunting called Layout hunting. Most layout boats are used for diver duck or ocean duck hunting where open deep water waterfowl species frequent. Sometimes they are deployed in marshes for more traditional puddle duck hunting or goose hunting. Layout boats come in designs such as pumpkin seed, oval, box like just to name a few. They come in one- and two-man models. These boats are painted to match the color of the water and sit very low in the water. The main focus of the layout boat is to put the hunter very close to the decoys if not in them for additional concealment. This makes for very dramatic hunting scenarios where a decoying bird comes extremely close to the hunter and boat. They are used to target diver ducks such as bluebills (greater scaup), canvasback, goldeneye, scoters and eider to name a few. This is because divers often fly low on the water and will not notice the low sides of the boat. Layout boats are often placed within the decoy spread, so the decoys help further conceal the sides of the boat.^[1]

References

1. "Open Water Layout Hunting". Retrieved 30 November 2011.

• Sternberg, Dick - Simpson,Jeff (1997). The Complete Hunter: Duck Hunting
• Smith, Nick (2006). Waterfowl Hunting: Ducks and Geese of North America
• Kramer, Gary (2003). A Ducks Unlimited Guide to Hunting Diving & Sea Ducks
• DeVore, Michael (2013). Lake Saint Clair Sportsman
• Lake Bonneville Layout Boats (2013). Layout Hunting