I had a big boat, I bought and drove to the jersey shore from Kansas City to pick up! It was used in Barnegat Bay, and all along the coast. i bought it because it was seaworthy with a bullet, 17 foot long and 6 foot wide, double floor, had a blind which was like a curtain which pulled up and across. We used it in open water, shot mallards, canadas, snows and blues sitting in open water. I don't mean to claim that everyday was a "come in with flaps down" sort of adventure, but often enough, and thing was a battleship. The open water seems to have the effect on waterfowl that nothing can hurt them. We sure weren't very stealthy! ordinarily I am a fan of low profile and blending in. But this boat hunting in the central flyway and the atlantic flyway was pretty darn effective and you could hunt 3 x 200+ men, and a big dog, with ease, comfort, and complete safety. Got lots of pictures with black ducks, canadas, mallards all hanging on the strut support. So I say go for it, I'm sure there will be days, calm, sundrenched and reflective, where a layout boat would kill more birds, but you would certainly suffer for your sport! Layout is lonely, dangerous, and cold! Keep the thread alive and let us know how you do, lots of young birds in the flyway should help.