Posted: 2/24/2012 10:03:55 AM EDT
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So after many years of convincing myself that waterfowl hunting was not for me, based on experiences earlier in life. I was always cold, wet and miserable. I finally gave it a try again this past season, after some insistance from some friends, I accepted an invite to come and duck hunt with them. It was a very enjoyable trip, and made me think about giving, duck hunting another chance. Once back home, I was given the chance to go with some guys that were willing to allow a stranger to go with them. I am hooked. Anyway, Needed a blind, and happened to come across a 28 foot pontoon boat that needed redone. Going to put new deck on it, and start building a blind. I have some ideas in mind, but figured I would ask here some ideas. Experience helps. Building materials? - The blind that we hunted out of was built on floats, framed with 2 x 4s, and sheeted in plywood with a sheet metal roof. Doors on both ends, flip down "hog wire" fronts (shooting area). For the 28 foot pontoon boat, thinking 3 way shooting (Left side, Front, Right side). Have a double sided bench down the center. Ability to close off one side if not needed, windy etc........ Thinking mabe the metal studs instead of 2 x 4s ( to reduce wieght), sheet metal siding instead of plywood. Insulation was mentioned, and been thinking some of that 1 inch 4x 8 sheets liguid mailed on inside of metal sheeting. Hopefully, will be able to draw a spot at the WMA, if not, this will go into another spot. So, advice, willing to share your pics, plans, ideas? |
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Metal or aluminum will reduce weight but will greatly increase costs.
You could save money by using 4x8 fiberglass reinforced plastic panels (frp) for siding vs aluminum, these can be found at Home Deopt and hold up very well. Insulation would be nice and will also cut down on calls "ringing" in the blind Do not make the blind a square box, they stick out a bunch, also think about making the blind smaller and brush up the deck of the boat along with the blind itself. Make sure you have plenty of overhead cover. Make sure you rig up a propane heating system with a stove for cooking....you will thank me later Brush with a combination of materials, oak, willow, fastgrass, real grass, cane etc. Cut before the first frost to make it last longer. I will come up with some more stuff, got to run right now. |
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Quoted: Metal or aluminum will reduce weight but will greatly increase costs. You could save money by using 4x8 fiberglass reinforced plastic panels (frp) for siding vs aluminum, these can be found at Home Deopt and hold up very well. Insulation would be nice and will also cut down on calls "ringing" in the blind Do not make the blind a square box, they stick out a bunch, also think about making the blind smaller and brush up the deck of the boat along with the blind itself. Make sure you have plenty of overhead cover. Make sure you rig up a propane heating system with a stove for cooking....you will thank me later Brush with a combination of materials, oak, willow, fastgrass, real grass, cane etc. Cut before the first frost to make it last longer. I will come up with some more stuff, got to run right now. Thanks. Planning on doing everything on the very cheap side. Meaning what we find/salvage, or buy on CL., etc.... Our weather here is not brutally cold. I think the coldest morning was 17 degrees. Yes that is cold. We used a couple of Buddy Heaters in the blind connected to 20lb. tanks. It honestly made me sweat. (I was wearing my waders). We have discussed making the blind "Pre Fab", meaning able to assemble/disassemble in sections. That way could also use platform in summer for night fishing, rig some lights for now fishing. Any pics of builds? |