Contact Info for MarshRat purchase

duckdog310 · 12-19-2005, 02:22 AM

Who are the local dealers for Marshrat boats? I thought GIJoes was carrying them, but I couldn't find any info on their website.

Thanks. . .need one quick prior to the end of the season.

AnnaDraMoss · 12-19-2005, 07:13 AM

Mallard Marine in Portland I believe

Chesapeake · 12-19-2005, 07:29 AM

Gi joes in Hillsboro used to have one with a blind for about $850. Havent seen it there in a while. Gi Joes in delta park had 2 yesterday. With blind was around $850 without was $695 or so.

RAGHORN! · 12-19-2005, 07:33 AM

Mallard Marine is correct: I bought one from GIJoe's and they told me they were not gonna sell them anymore!

Before you buy one, check out Aquapod @ www.attbar.com, I wish I would have went with one of those bigger ones!

RAGHORN! · 12-19-2005, 07:34 AM

I bought the one @ Hillsboro.

duckdog310 · 12-19-2005, 07:41 AM

Raghorny:

What attributes does the Aquapod possess that you feel makes it better than the MarshRat? Is there a local dealer for the Aquapod?

Thanks for the info, guys. I'm going to try to end my season on a good note by using this type of watercraft to get at a bunch of birds previously inaccessible.

Elkguide · 12-19-2005, 08:12 AM

Joes still carries them Call Hillsboro and I give you a price and who has one.

Elkguide

RAGHORN! · 12-19-2005, 09:29 AM

duckdog310: They have more options than Mallard Marine, he only makes the Marsh Rat which is 9', I don't remember the width. Your options with Aquapod I believe are 8',10',12' and different color/camo patterens, they also make motor mount brackets just incase you want to mount some kind of motor. One other piece of advice I would suggest is if your gonna do this, get your self a double ended paddle, the single is way more work! IMO

RAGHORN! · 12-19-2005, 09:39 AM

duckdog310: PM sent

Erich_870 · 12-19-2005, 10:24 AM

I finally got mine out this season.

They are heavy suckers, but it worked really well. Wish I could say I got some ducks, but there was no wind and it was raining pretty darn hard. I was hunkered down and was buzzed by some teal at >3ft! Also had a couple mallards working behind me that I didn't see until they were moving on.

I got mine from the Hillsboro GI Joe's on sale (they weren't moving fast enough) and had it shipped up by AML on a barge. I have another thread about that, but it worked great!

Look for a thread this spring on a plan I have for making the marsh rat more versatile.

Erich

Chesapeake · 12-19-2005, 11:14 AM

I have drooled over the Marsh rats and the aquapods. My hunting buddy has a 10 foot aquapod that we use to hunt. It is light enough for one man to cary(about 65#) and will easily float 2 200lb men and a bag of 18 dekes. We use a double ended carlisle paddle. The marsh rat is a little over 100#s and a bit much for one man carry.

They are both a little steep for my blood so I am making my own boat with similar dimensions( 10'L x 40" W x 10" deep).

Bobs in longview sells the aquapods. The 10 footer is around $600 (camo model). They are made in Woodland Washington, or atleast they used to be.

The main advantage I see to the Marsh rat is it is a bit wider for stabillity. This is a non-issue for me as I stand a row the 10' aquapod all over with no problems.

My main reason for making my own is that niether boat has room to lay in and have your dog behind you. You could have your dog between your legs but then they are right in front of the muzzle blast.

duckdog310 · 12-19-2005, 12:43 PM

Thanks so far for all the great information.

Of the Aquapod and the MarshRat. . .are there any distinct differences in the manner in which they track while under power (man or motor)? I guess a better question would be: If I have to get across a body of water, how much of a pain in the butt would it be to kayak-paddle the MarshRat?

duckdog310 · 12-19-2005, 12:47 PM

Also. . .

How do these craft do when the water is a little. . .er, angry? I'm guessing neither is great on chop, but how about, say, windy lake conditions like Fern Ridge lake or the like?

Meister Jaeger · 12-19-2005, 12:48 PM

Aqua Pods are made by Attbar, based in Ridgefield WA and you can order directly via phone, fax or Web (www.attbar.com).

Very happy with my 10'er going on two season now. You can save $35 off the price if you pick it up from the factory (no crating/shipping charges), and if you're outside WA you don't have to pay sales tax either. They're much easier to paddle and maneuver, IMHO.

Dave Boys (www.mallardmarine.com) was, at one time, the only MarshRat guy west of the Mississippi.

Let me know if you go with the pod - I've got a tip or two that may be of interest.

Good luck, and happy shopping!

MJ

Erich_870 · 12-19-2005, 03:10 PM

I haven't had my marsh rat out in any waves yet, it was pretty much dead calm when I went out last weekend. I can tell you I plan on purchasing the oar locks and 5ft oars for mine. I used my kayak paddle and it is just a little too short for comfort. Get Bit has a marsh rat with oars and he says they are the ticket. I'm going to agree. It moves a hole lot slower than my kayak (big surprise :grin

but I think the oars will make it more efficient.

I've only looked a poke boats a little, but I'm just drawn to the shape and stying of the marsh rat. I really like the eliminator doors. In my pic, you might notice that I have some grass camo burlap on it. It is a 12'x54" panel I bought and cut to fit. It really blends in well. I plan to sew some stubble straps to it this spring and grass it up beyond belief

Erich