Top 9 Best Duck Hunting Boat Reviews (aka Decoy Sleds)
If you’re planning to venture into duck hunting activities (or simply want to improve your hunting game), you ought to start by finding and investing in the best duck boat on the market today. This will undoubtedly unlock a whole new world of opportunities in your hunting endeavors.
Hunting for ducks and other waterfowls, in general, is unlike any other type of hunting. Firstly, the duck habitat is pretty diverse. Finding a good flock of ducks requires you to navigate to remote places. And in some cases, the ducks can be accessed on water bodies- like an estuary or lake.
The duck hunting boats, commonly referred to as decoy sleds, vary far and wide (depending on the region you’ll be hunting).
Nevertheless, all the great duck boats should share certain attributes that we’ll be discussing in a few moments…
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Things To Consider Before Buying a Duck Boat
Lightweight Design
One of the most important qualities of a decoy sled is its portability or lightweight design. If you can be able to easily pick up your boat and or launch it from the back of your truck, this means you’ll be able to access out of the way duck hunting regions.
A highly portable boat will enable you to pick it up and quietly place it in water- helping you reach some great hunting spots fellow hunters may not know about.
Shallow Draft
If you select a decoy sled with a shallow draft, you’ll be able to access the prime duck hunting locations easily. Other than tight trees groupings, waters in the ideal hunting areas might get pretty shallow.
A small draft on your boat is all you’ll need to get past such zones or even get to the bank in case you opt to get out of the waters.
Sufficient Storage Space
The boat you’re buying should also offer you adequate storage space for all your duck decoys as well as all the other hunting gear you might be carrying.
Easy to Clean
High-level maintenance of your duck hunting boat is one of the necessary tasks you must carry out if you want to maximize its lifespan.
The decoy sleds are made with advanced plastic materials which make it easy to clean them with a spray hose only- no scrubbing required.
I recommend you to clean your boat on a regular basis since mud and grass that sticks on it might prove difficult to get rid of if it stays there longer.
Easily Maneuverable
Remember your hunting activities might require you to go down an open river as you search for favorable hunting zones.
At times, you might even find yourself in tricky places with your boat, and you’ll need to make your way around thick, tight groupings of trees. In such cases, if your boat appears too big and awkward to maneuver, the right duck gathering you’ve discovered might detect your presence and get away.
Camouflage
An excellent duck hunting decoy should offer you total concealment as you go about your hunting activities. You don’t want the birds to detect you from afar and escape before you can take on them.
Gladly, most of the decoy sleds you’ll find on the market come with a variety of camo patterns that matches the different duck hunting environments you’ll be working in.
Stability
Lastly, a great duck boat ought to be highly stable. If you always find yourself worrying about tipping over, you are not going to enjoy a good duck hunting grip. Stability is the key to ensuring that you can successfully transfer all your essential hunting equipment and bag as many birds as you can.
Follow these attributes of a great duck hunting boat, and they’ll lead you to the best vessel that meets all your hunting needs.
Now, let me take you through our list of the carefully selected, most effective duck hunting boats that will navigate you to the ideal duck hunting spots without making a big announcement that you’ve arrived…
Our Top 9 Decoy Sled Picks:
1. Beavertail Sport Sled Review
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Beavertail Sport Sled is the duck boat designed to make it easy for you to access the trickiest duck hunting zones. The sturdy hunting boat has been built with the toughest hunting situations in mind. That is, it can venture into the rough terrains and deep snow without any struggles.
The decoy is designed from highly durable, all-season polyethylene material which enables it to remain loyal to you for many hunting seasons to come.
Because it’s an all-season material, you’re sure to use it in all weather conditions without expecting any damages. Transporting this sled to and from your hunting locations isn’t a challenge, thanks to the lightweight design which makes it highly portable.
The boat features reinforced, base-strengthening runners which allow you to smoothly and easily pull it to the desired location.
Since the sled comes with a high-resolution camo color all over its surfaces, you don’t need to worry about being detected by the ducks as you try to hunt them. The bat comes in a variety of sizes- ranging from small, medium, and large.
This means that you can select an appropriate size depending on the amount of gear you’re carrying. The small size measures 44”L x 22”W x 9”H and the medium model: 55”L x 24”W x 10”H.
Highlighted Features:
- Rugged, all-season polyethylene design glides over the toughest of the grounds
- Sturdy bottom-reinforcing runners ensure smooth pull
- Lightweight design (17lbs only) enables smooth pull
- Forceful leading edges for busting through debris
- Reinforced lip maximizes sidewall strength
- Tow rope included
- Available in a variety of sizes
2. Shappell Jet Sled 1 – ATC Review
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The Shappell Jet Sled 1 is a sturdy, highly durable decoy sled, having been made from the rugged polyethylene material.
With a gorgeous design and well-spread high-resolution camo patterns, this hunting boat is sure to please even the pickiest of the duck hunters. In other words, it’s an excellent quality, perfect size and must-have duck boat for all your duck hunting trips.
The sled comes with molded runners that enhance its strength and stability, so you don’t have to worry about tipping over in the waters when trying to make shots at your targets.
Additionally, the molds offer you better control when you’re pulling the sled. One aspect about this boat driving duck hunters crazy is the All Terrain Camo finish that helps blend with the foliage easily and achieve top-level concealment when hunting the sharp-eyed birds.
Though this sled works great for duck hunting, feel free to use it for hauling out the deer as well. That’s an added benefit if you’re hunt ducks as well as the deer. The exact dimensions of this sled are 54″L x 25″W x 10″H.
This means the bat offer you more than enough space and will hold plenty of your duck decoys and other hunting equipment you’re carrying.
Highlighted Features:
- Rugged polyethylene decoy sled
- Molded runners ensure strength and stability
- Adequate space for holding all your hunting gear
- All Terrain Camo gives you total concealment in the fields
- Can also be used for ice fishing, transporting deer, traps, decoys, firewood, feed, etc.
3. Terrain Sport Sled Review
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For all your duck hunting gear hauling needs, here is the perfect duck boat for you. The Terrain Sport Sled more than turns your duck hunting trips into a success.
It also acts as a great alternative for hauling firewood, Christmas tree, deer after a hunt, ice fishing, and everything else you might want to transport outdoors!
When it comes to the storage space factor, the Terrain Sport Sled is the bets. Just by looking at its design, you’ll notice that it features high walls (unlike most of the sleds out there). This goes a long way in increasing its holding capacity- allowing you to carry ALL the gear you want to use for your hunting trip.
The highly durable polyethylene construction gives the sled the strength and ability to carry all your hunting equipment. A heavy duty rope makes towing an easy task.
How to get this sled moving?
Well, you have several options. You can pull it with your hands, ATV or with the snowmobile. The best part- you can convert this sled into an ice shelter. It can hold a 5-gallon bucket for a seat. The exact measurements of this boat are 54" Length x 26" Width x 9.5" depth. It has an extremely low weight- 15lbs.
Highlighted Features:
- High side walls for larger capacity
- Can be pulled by hands, ATV or snowmobile
- Heavy-duty tow rope
- Multipurpose sled
- High-impact polyethylene construction
- Two years warranty
4. Shappell 54 Jet Sled - Multi-Purpose Sled Review
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The Shappell 54 Jet Sled comes handy when you want to transport all your duck hunting gear across a frozen lake (or any other hard situation) to get to the area with a good group of ducks. The jet sled boasts of rugged polyethylene construction.
This material is rigid enough to maintain the boat structure, yet flexible enough to prevent your decoy sled from developing cracks when traversing through rough terrains.
The duck boat comes with molded runners that extend its strength and stability. Additionally, these runners facilitate a smooth pull (i.e., they prevent your sled from zigzagging when you’re pulling it). This is one of the unique decoy boats as it comes with a specially contoured hull that allows you to pull it with your hands easily.
Measuring 4”L x 24”W, you’re sure to get more the enough room t hold all your duck hunting gear in this decoy.
Not only is this sled perfect for towing all your duck hunting equipment, but it can also be used to transport firewood, animals after you’ve taken them in the fields, and other materials.
Highlighted Features:
- Adequate space
- Rugged polyethylene construction
- Molded runners for added strength and stability
- Multipurpose sled
5. Shappell JSR Jet Sled Jr Upsable, 21 x 43 x 8-Inch Review
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This is another highly durable and capable boat for your duck hunting equipment. It’s a large sled that is easy to tow and will see your hunting equipment off difficult to pass areas to the most favorable hunting spots.
With molded runners on its base, you rest assured that this sled will trek over the toughest terrains. A sturdy rope has also been included for easy towing.
The sled exact dimensions are 21-inch x 43-inch x 8-Inch.
This is enough evidence that the boat will provide you more than sufficient space to store your duck decoys plus other hunting gear.
Being a lightweight sled, it does not feel bulky when filled with hunting gear. It has highly-level stability and won’t easily tip over when stuffed with your equipment.
It can also be used to haul firewood, animals on a hunt, and other materials.
Highlighted Features:
- Adequate storage space
- Durable polyethylene construction
- Molded runners boost strength and stability
- Multipurpose sled
6. Shappell® Jet Sled® Multi-Purpose Sled Review
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As the name suggest, you can use this Shappell sled not only to tow duck hunting pieces of equipment, but for all other purposes as well. In simpler terms, it’s a great boat for transporting deer, feed, firewood and even traps.
The beautifully designed duck boat features a well laid out camo pattern across the entire surface- a plus if you want to cover yourself when hunting the ducks.
The sled is constructed from the highly durable polyethylene material, making it capable of transporting loads of hunting equipment. Its design also features molded runners on its base which adds to is stability and strength.
As such, you can load it with as many hunting equipment as you wish without worrying about them tipping over before you reach your destination. A rope for towing the duck boat is included.
The boat comes in several sizes, all offering you different storage space depending on the amount of hunting gear you wish to carry.
Highlighted Features:
- All Terrain Camo pattern
- Rugged Polyethylene construction
- Multipurpose sled
- Molded runners enhance its strength and stability
- Optional hitches for towing with snowmobile or ATV
7. Beavertail Decoy Hauler Sport Sled with Bag Review
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For all your duck equipment transportation needs, you can always count on the Beavertail Decoy Hauler Sport Sled. And for all your outdoor adventures, the sled will equally offer a helping hand. This particular boat from Beavertail helps you haul your duck decoys across the snow filled fields and transport any other outdoor gear you have.
You have more than enough reasons to believe in this 100% root-molded polyethylene sled. Firstly, it has been tested in extremely high and low temperatures to ensure it is capable of withstanding all the outdoor conditions you’re likely to encounter. Its well-outlined camo pattern perfectly matches the foliage of your hunting environments, making sure you remain covered throughout your hunt.
What makes this sled a great option for all your transportation needs is the polyester decoy hauler (or decoy bag, if you like) it comes with. The bag is capable of holding up to 24 full body goose decoys.
With its specific measures being 53"L x 25"W x 40"H, it will also offer you adequate room to carry all your other hunting gear to your hunting location. And the fact that it weighs 15lbs only means you have an easy time pulling it with your hands.
Highlighted Features:
- Comes with decoy hauler bag that can accommodate about 24 full-bodied goose decoys
- Ample storage space
- Lightweight design
- Multipurpose sled that can transport just any outdoor gear to your desired location
- Marsh-Brown camo pattern
8. Shappell Jet Sled Junior Fishing Shelter Review
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Offering loads of storage space and easy pull, the Shappell Jet Sled Junior Fishing Shelter is a must have for any duck hunter out there looking the most convenient way to transport their hunting equipment to hard to access areas.
Besides, you can use to carry other material outdoors- say when you are embarking on a camping trip, ice fishing or any other hunting trip.
Constructed using tough polyethylene, this duck hunting boat is strong and stable and will safely transport all your equipment to any location. It comes with molded runners that enable it to easily glide over the toughest of the terrains, ensuring a smooth towing experience. With the specially contoured haul, pulling the decoy sled with your hand becomes indeed much easier. An attached rope- highly durable- makes towing easier than you can imagine.
The sled also accepts various accessories such as covers (to keep dirt, snow, and rain off your gear) and optional hitches for towing behind your snowmobile or ATV. It comes with a high-resolution camo color that keeps you covered in the fields throughout. The exact measurements of this sled are L 42" x w 21" x H 8", ensuring you’ve sufficient space for all your stuff.
Highlighted Features:
- Durable polyethylene design
- Multipurpose sled
- Molded runners for added strength and stability
- Plenty of space
- Specially contoured hull for easy hand pulling
9. Otter Sport Sled Review
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The Otter Sport Sled closes our list of the best duck boat decoys. This sled qualifies to appear in our list due to the strength and stability it comes with. It is made from a single uniform piece of 100% Root Molded rugged polyethylene.
If you combine this type of construction with an outer lip designed for additional support, you’ve got the most durable and robust decoy sled.
The Otter’s overall design is exclusive.
For example, it has a raised back that ensures all the hunting gear you’re transporting remains secure- it will not fall out when being hand pulled or towed. Even more exciting, the sled offers you an optional universal tow hitch adapter. This is one of the few duck boats on our list that offers you such a feature.
You’ll find the adapter helpful when pulling your sled behind a vehicle or ATV.
The sled measures 54" L x 26" W x 9.5" H. It weighs 12lbs only for easy pulling. Like other top-rated duck boats out there, the Otter can also be used to transport fishing equipment, Christmas tree, firewood and even trapping.
Highlighted Features:
- High impact polyethylene design
- Large capacity
- Heavy-duty tow rope
- Can be pulled by hand, ATV or snowmobile
- Can be converted into ice shelter; holds a 5-gallon bucket for a seat
What Is a Decoy Sled And Why You Need One?
In the simplest terms, a decoy sled is a small boat that helps you transport all your essential hunting gear to the remote places where there are high chances of getting great flocks of the birds.
Most of the times, finding favorable duck hunting zones won’t come easy- even when you have all the necessary hunting gear and the best duck hunting decoys. You’ll need to pursue the fields in the search for better hunting spots.
In your pursuit, you’re likely to encounter some areas which are not easy to pass through, and that’s when a decoy sled comes handy.
Specially designed for this task, a sled will give you more than enough storage space where you can stuff all you hunting gear and decoys and tow them to the area you wish to hunt.
These sleds are made with durable, all-season materials to ensure they survive the toughest environments and the harshest weather conditions you might utilize them in.
They come with high definition camouflage colors which blend with your hunting environment to ensure you remain unnoticed by the sharp-eyed birds.
Overall, a decoy sled is a must have item if you want to hunt ducks the right way (by getting right where they are).
Final Verdict
Again, investing in the duck hunting boat will unlock great hunting opportunities for any waterfowler out there.
Because buying a fully equipped decoy sled is a significant financial investment, it’s important that you do research before writing the check to have the boat delivered to you.
Our guide above spells out the top qualities that make a good duck boat. If you follow these tips, you’ll never regret.
Our section of the most efficient duck hunting boats offers you the hottest products on the market right now. These are products that have been used by expert waterfowlers for years and will boost your hunting game instantly.
Don’t waste a single second; order any of the nine decoy sleds I’ve recommended to you and you’ll be grateful you came along this post.