Layout without tender?

Does anybody hunt in a layout boat on Lake Michigan without a tender? I was thinking about buying a layout boat with a 2hp outboard for hunting small water in Wisconsin, but was wondering if its possible to get out for divers on lake michigan? I'm sure some will say this is a death sentence, but just looking to see if anyone does it and what boat they are running. Chris

It can be done and some folks do it. You just dont want to be the guy who sets up 500.25 feet in front of his favorite community shore hunting spot and gets rained on with BBs all day. lol. I recommend PM'ing Cherokeeblind. He makes a nice boat!

Chris, if you go with a layout skiff instead of a layout boat they are easier to paddle. My buddy has 4 of them and i have one. We use them all the time inland and Green Bay. I can tell you do's and dont's with skiffs. You are still low profile, the biggest thing is to make sure the skiff has a reverse cowling on it so water splashes out. My buddy is 6-4 and 325 lbs. That should give how safe they are. Thanks Capt. Rick

I used a MLB Sneakbox Widgeon this past season with a 5hp motor and with oars (after the motor died). It worked well, but was a pain to use oars. I can carry a few dozen decoys and all the assorted gear that you need to hunt on Lake Michigan. The most annoying part was chasing cripples, as they can easily out swim you. It was also a bit of a trick getting through the 4-5 foot breakers the last few days of the season.

Had a guy on Lake Michigan behind us this year in kewaunee. I don't think he was much farther than the required 500 feet from shore though, and the lake was not rough. He had a small outboard on the back and was able to carry both duck and goose decoys as well as his dog. Seemed to work ok for him until he chased a wounded bird in so shallow that he bottomed out the motor and sheared the pin. It can be done, but the weather and lake have to be just right.

I'd make sure it has positive flotation at a minimum, then always wear your life vest. If you watch the weather close (bring a weatherband radio, too) you could at the very least get out in the Milwaukee harbor. I'm just curious how you get your dekes out there, though? If you plan on hunting Green Bay, there are actually plenty of places you could walk your layout boat to a spot to hunt.

Big three, if interested, I have 4 layout boats for sale. We could build a motor mount for the back quite easily. Our boats are very "paddle worthy" as they were designed for inland use as well. PM me if interested.