New Boat Blind Build

[pickardjw]

Building a new 3/4" EMT boat blind for my 14' mirrocraft this year. Planning on a scissor design with a little roof overhang, similar to one I built for 12' boat (sketch below) but with a couple tweaks.

Any recommendations on the fabric to use on it? I'd like to use panels like the Avery Windblocker and a combination of fake grass and real materials to dress it up. Not sure if there are any better options out there.

[metlhead]

When wet, grass panels weigh a ton and really hamper a boat's performance if you are underpowered with a full load of gear. Light mesh with a waterproof die cut camo works great. Take ten minutes to use local material at your hunt spot. Something else, I only have a blind on one side which reduces weight even more. Always seem to hunt against  a brushy or grassy backdrop so the side with no blind is covered. My experience with hunting exposed, no matter how good the blind looks, have always been less than stellar.

[GWP]

I have used the super light cut cloth/mesh material and have new wool for the current boat. The light weight stuff shed water well, but it went IN the boat as you would expect. Lasted about 3 years before starting to break down, but I was pleased with it over all.

[metlhead]

This is the mesh I use. Not sure the brand.  14yrs and still holds up. The die cut camo is cheap, but waterproof.

[Kola16]

For the cameoing part, this stuff is awesome: https://blindgrass.com

It's expensive but it is synthetic so it does not absorb water and it lasts forever. It saves some time in the morning gathering native vegetation.

[pickardjw]

For the cameoing part, this stuff is awesome: https://blindgrass.com

It's expensive but it is synthetic so it does not absorb water and it lasts forever. It saves some time in the morning gathering native vegetation.

Yeah, I have their stuff on my layout and like it. Figure it would be a good base and natural material around it will be a good setup.

[GWP]

I had that as well as Tikki Grass I used.
One thing I did that worked well was sewing small high powered magnets into the shooting flap hole edge so we could get them closed and open quickly and easily.

[HaydenHunter]

I have had a couple of manufactured boat blinds (Mudbuddy QuickFlip and Beavertail) which used Cordura.  It has worked well and has been reasonably waterproof.  Add grassing straps and you are set to go.

And I second the earlier post about BlindGrass.  I have it on my layout and panel blinds and love it.  I do not have it on my boat blind because I so infrequently use it anymore. 

[pickardjw]

I have had a couple of manufactured boat blinds (Mudbuddy QuickFlip and Beavertail) which used Cordura.  It has worked well and has been reasonably waterproof.  Add grassing straps and you are set to go.

And I second the earlier post about BlindGrass.  I have it on my layout and panel blinds and love it.  I do not have it on my boat blind because I so infrequently use it anymore. 

I thought about buying a manufactured one but haven't seen one that I like the design of. And if I can build one for half the cost that's custom fit to the boat that seems like the better option.

[GWP]

Agreed on the cost. I had a bunch of free angle iron laying around I made a folding one for my last boat. Worked good, and when I sold the boat I cut it all up for other projects. Tried PVC before that and it did not hold up well at all. It was thin wall though.
I did spend a full day making mounts, fitting and sewing it up though.

[pickardjw]

Anyone used a hinged 3/4" EMT fitting? Seems perfect for this application.

https://makerpipe.com/products/adjustable-angle-connector-hinge-connector?variant=39413134032969

[pickardjw]

Put a little bluebeam plan together. Not sure how I want to lock the blind into place in the "up" position. I've used bungee cords before and draped blind material across the non-shooting holes. Seems like a good option.

[Kola16]

Put a little bluebeam plan together. Not sure how I want to lock the blind into place in the "up" position.

Between your blue and orange tubes or your blue and purple tubes? I have answers for both, I'm just on my phone right now and can't type a book haha.

[pickardjw]

Page 1 is red, the base. Page 2 blue is the scissor pieces that will fold up and page 3 is the roof. Thinking I'd connect either the blue rails together or the roof pink rail to the opposite blue rail.

[metlhead]

A few things to think about. A roof can add concealment from above but will also create the 'dark hole' in front. Nor having 360° viewing can also become PIA. Be sure everything is some form of quick disconnect. It is inevitable you will need to pull up and chase cripples. Not even easy in an open boat.

[pickardjw]

A few things to think about. A roof can add concealment from above but will also create the 'dark hole' in front. Nor having 360° viewing can also become PIA. Be sure everything is some form of quick disconnect. It is inevitable you will need to pull up and chase cripples. Not even easy in an open boat.

Agreed, I like the roof because we set up without overhead cover in some spots. And my buddies can't resist watching birds circle. The bungee connection option should allow for a pretty quick fold down for chasing.

[bigdub257]

I did quite a bit of research and ended up buying one of these. I haven't installed it yet but I'm going to in the next couple of weeks.. Have Killer Weed to install into the sides.  I like the easy access from either side for the dog and quick takedown for chasing cripples.  Will have to see how the situation works out with no top but should be an easy fix if necessary. Anybody else have one of these?

https://flywayspecialties.com/

[pickardjw]

Looks pretty solid, I'd be interested to see the frame without the blind fabric on it.

Would y'all recommend no roof? Seems really beneficial for hiding movement but most of the DIY or manufactured boat blinds I see don't have them.

[metlhead]

50/50 on the roof. I don't have one as I hunt the edge of the Columbia where the vast majority of the birds are over the water and always finish out front. Late season divers really don't need a roof either.

[Brushcrawler]

How did this turn out? I’m considering a similar project.

[pickardjw]

How did this turn out? I’m considering a similar project.

I ended up going hunting the weekend I was going to do it. Long story short, I'm probably going to modify the blind I have to be more user friendly and sell the boat sometime next year. So don't really want to drop the money and time on a new blind now.