Bird Photography Boat <moved>

I want to get a boat and rig it for bird photography. Currently I am toying with the idea of getting one of these and rigging it. Would love to hear what you think and maybe how you might rig it. I want to get low angle shots of water fowl, e.g. loons.

IMAGE LINK: http://s60.photobucket​.com …x509_zps8692b80​2.jpg.html

Check out nucanoe, I would much rather use a kayak platform than a flying saucer.

studlymonkey wrote in post #16965562
Check out nucanoe, I would much rather use a kayak platform than a flying saucer.

Thanks I did check out nucanoe and I do own a kayak. That being said, did you take the time to watch the video before you disparaged the product as a, "flying saucer"?

In the video the man stands full weight on the very edge of the boat and it is totally stable. Try that in a canoe, kayak or nucanoe. As a photographer one of the priorities for me in a water craft will be stability and in that category the round skiff wins hands down.

Looks like a very good boat for a photographer. I think it would allow to lay down on your belly to get a good low angle.

I have to admit, when I first saw it, I was like... "...?...", NOW, after watching the video, I am IMPRESSED!
I own a kayak for my water photography, and I searched far and wide for what I thought was one of the best kayaks for that purpose, but, I might have gone with this, had I known.
The one thing that I am not that sure about is how (for me personally) is that my truck has a topper on it, so that would prevent me from placing it in the bed of it.
Another thing is that I prefer to not have a motor of any kind, but, if I didn't, this would be a good boat choice for me.

As far as stability goes, this beats my Native Ultimate 12' I have, it's 'supposed to be' one of the most stable, but I'm not that impressed with that part of it. Getting in and out is not a good thing, especially when you have thousands of dollars worth of 'stuff' in it, insured or not.
The way you can remove that seat on this round boat though is cool, and I'd (personally) have a very short seat to be lower, the height of it is a downside to me.
Like what has already been said, laying down on it would be a good way to use it, maybe not all of the time, but it'd come in handy.

They need to install a rubber rim so that it'd act as a tire so when you do roll it, it doesn't do damage, they may do that, you never know...

For someone that doesn't want to spend the money this costs, an alternative could be to buy a two-man bass boat, they are REALLY stable, I've had a few (for fishing) and the only drawback for me on those is the weight, I'm a little too old to be lugging that kind of weight around. You can get them on Craigslist for around $400. pretty easy.

I'm really impressed with this though, and I may have to change my thinking and buy another truck just to haul this with! heheh

Thanks for posting this, it's VERY innovative, I'm going to be checking this out a little more, I really like it.

Randy

I could see by looking at it hoe stable it would be for Photos. Exactly what you said, Stable! Pull that trigger.

Airedale1 wrote in post #16965945
Thanks I did check out nucanoe and I do own a kayak. That being said, did you take the time to watch the video before you disparaged the product as a, "flying saucer"?

In the video the man stands full weight on the very edge of the boat and it is totally stable. Try that in a canoe, kayak or nucanoe. As a photographer one of the priorities for me in a water craft will be stability and in that category the round skiff wins hands down.

I did watch the video and the stability is impressive. I just don't see the need to stand on the edge of a boat to take a photo. I would be worried about how it would do if the wind really picked up!

Certainly an interesting looking craft. For me getting a low angle is of paramount importance and I think that will be easier from the kayak. When you see the guying lying down in the video, there is no room for holding a decent sized lens.

I think that if you want low and stable, go with a classic like the Barnegat Bay Sneakbox. You'd have to strip out the seat on that to get low and even then, it has a fair amount of freeboard.

studlymonkey wrote in post #16967039
I did watch the video and the stability is impressive. I just don't see the need to stand on the edge of a boat to take a photo. I would be worried about how it would do if the wind really picked up!

Other than when boarding, there is no need to stand on the edge of it. It is simply and illustration of how stable the craft is. You could never do that with a kayak or a canoe.

It has some intriguing aspects for sure. I'm with Jon in that duck hunters have had some great solutions for over a century, but this has some additional advantages.

My biggest concern would be the actual task of going somewhere. This shape looks like the least hydrodynamic this side of a log raft (also a good birding platform ) Making that tub go straight would be a task indeed. That said, for the actual part where your sitting waiting or actively doing all the things it's good for OTHER than getting there, it looks great. The rod holders would be a great spot for a monopod with a gimbal head rig. (Yes I've done that on a larger boat)

Comparing it to a canoe or kayak isn't quite right, as this boat really does need a motor (despite the ad saying you can paddle it)
So this puts it in the sears Jon Boat territory, which is another VERY stable platform, flat bottomed shallow draft boat. I bet the jon boat is more affordable too. And the Jon boat, you REALLY can row with oars.

Airedale1 wrote in post #16965945
I do own a kayak. As a photographer one of the priorities for me in a water craft will be stability and in that category the round skiff wins hands down.

Paul,

Over the past 12 years I've tried many small boats for waterfowling. As you might expect, just like photography, stability is paramount for boating in winter during the duck season. For photography, and duck hunting, it's not necessary to get high-tech or unique boats, just be certain that you get one that can handle the waters you plan to travel. A simple aluminum jon boat with a homemade blind and a small motor can get you into many waters. You'd certainly be able to get low angle shots from the floor of a jon boat and you can even set up a tripod if you use one.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #16967867
My biggest concern would be the actual task of going somewhere. This shape looks like the least hydrodynamic this side of a log raft (also a good birding platform ) Making that tub go straight would be a task indeed. That said, for the actual part where your sitting waiting or actively doing all the things it's good for OTHER than getting there, it looks great. The rod holders would be a great spot for a monopod with a gimbal head rig. (Yes I've done that on a larger boat)

when they turned it over you can see two length wise raised quides, I believe that is to keep it running in a straight line. definitively not the most hydrodynamic shape but in the video it is seen moving in a straight line. the stability thou is rather impressive

Forget the boat and get a wetsuit instead?
http://finnature.com/a​rticles/using-floating-hide/

myphotographic wrote in post #16968995
Forget the boat and get a wetsuit instead?
http://finnature.com/a​rticles/using-floating-hide/

Does Ikelite make a housing for the 500 f/4? :{)#