converting boat to blind

[Jim]

Trying to cut down on mistakes...what have you guys done successfully to make your boat into a blind...what materials, tricks, whats the best design...Please keep in mind that my boat is 21' open sled with a 9' beam.

Thanks in advance

Jim

[MikeT]

Jim,
The best design I've seen was a frame made of black PVC pipe that dropped onto the gunnels. The guy attached cut-leaf camo material around the frame so it draped to the water and could be rolled up for travel.
I've been thinking of doing this for my boat. Two issues I've got are storage of the unit between trips and how to get the dog positioned to see the action and be able to climb in and out of the boat.
Mike

[jet]

Hey Jim

We have done it with ABS by building a frame to support our camo netting. We started by glueing together sections the width of the boat, using "T" in the corners. at this point we had 4 squares glued together. We then cut ABS straight runs to conect all the squares, do not glue the straight runs. By not glueing the whole thing together it can lay strapped down in the boat so you can run faster to your spot and then setup with 2 guys in 10 min. By the way the fram is not taller that the tallest guy sitting down on one of the box seats... keep it as low as possible.

I have used this setup for many years on the Columbia and it will work on a budget.ABS is cheap. Drop me a line if you have questions.


I saw Mikes post pepper sits on the bow on top of the camo and watches the whole thing. Or Build a step out of ABS that hangs over the side of the boat with a step at H2O level. ABS is like working with Tinker Toys.


Jet~~~

[ 10-27-2001: Message edited by: jet ]

[Jim]

Hey Guys....Thanks!!

Jet, I tried to email you and it came back undeliverable. Do you have a top when the blind is complete?? Also...how do your secure your boat for stable shooting??


Jim

[jet]

Jim

email me and I can let you know more details.

Mitzvah1@gte.net

Jet~~~

[Dogfish]

I did the same thing for my 12 foot jonboat, but instead of gluing, I screwed the "permanent" joint together so that if I had a break, swapping out new pipe would be quick and easy, especially if I was on a trip far from home.

For the "takedown" couplings, I drilled holes all the way through the completed joints, and then inserted a "D-ring" clip of the proper size.

For a boat your size, I would use 2" PVC minimum. You can add stability by adding crossbars that run gunnel to gunnel, and you may wish to add a misection support as well.

I bought a "dog step" from Herters that allows my dog to get up out of the water and then get up into the boat.

If you use the army camo netting, I would drape burlap over the frame first, and then the army camo netting. This will prevent the birds from looking through your blind and seeing movement.

Andy