Duck Boat?

[sffguitar]

Hey guys...Ive got a 12 ft sears aluminum boat. I want to make it into my duck boat for this fall. Just wondering....Do you think the boat will be good enough if its just painted camo or do I need to build some sort of blind? Please let me know what you think.

[ICEMAN]

Here is my 11foot6 Sears Alum boat all prettied up for duck season. We just carry duck blind material around with us, cover the boat, we will also set up a blind in the marsh... works for me....get a bit crowded with all the dekes, two guys...motor, battery...grub...  This year we will have a dog going too!

[Intruder]

Kinda depends on what ya really wanna do with it.  I would think it'd be pretty good for quite a few places though. 

[sffguitar]

Wow Iceman that looks pretty slick. I think I will do the same thing you have done. just camo the boat real nice and build a little V shaped blind over it. look like this / \ !

[ICEMAN]

Thanks, I thought it was a bit too leafy/green so I plan to go over it with some more grassy stripes before the season.... I put sand  in the paint for the floor and seats to cut down on slipping...good luck...

[Jekemi]

Me and sffguitar have put together a nice duck boat, especially painted for those gray NW duck days. Here's a picture.

[quacker whacker]

heres what i did with my livingston. as far as building a blind, it really depends on where your hunting and if you need to hunt out of the boat. we always hunt off the sore in blinds. if you wanted the blind to conceal your boat while your hunting, i would suggest just using a good paint job and leaving the blind material at home. i just park my boat a ways away and throw natural vegitation over it or park under a tree. i know in my 14 footer 3-4 people, 1-2 dogs, and all our crap is pretty tigh. i have brought blind material along to cover it, but it takes up a lot of room. just match your paint to your hunting area.

[Choclab]

We hunt out of mine....so we grassed it up. I wouldn't have it any other way...............put a blind on the boat, you'll be glad you did.

[Jekemi]

Choclab. Nice blind. What's a grassy blind like that cost?

I've got an idea for a blind that uses 1/2" pvc tubing running the length of the boat attached to wooden spars across the boat at bow and stern. the tubing runs vertical for 2 feet than horizontal for almost the length of the boat. it uses a spring to keep the 2 horizontal (running parallel) tubes about 1.5 feet apart at the top, enough room to peek out of to spot ducks. When they are overhead you simply spread the tubes apart and shoot. the tubes are covered with camo material or grassy blind material. The material is attached to the tubes using twist ties, plastic pull ties, or whatever you want. At the base the material can be attached to the rim of the boat using snaps, ties, or temporary pins. For a detailed drawing send me a note.

[Choclab]

I made the whole thing out of 3/4 and 1/2" conduit. I am probably 150 into the blind and 100 into the grass. I parked the boat at a friends house for awhile and forgot about the grass. The hot ass Ellensburg sun did a number on it. It rips real easy now. I would suggest taking it off and keeping it in a garage, but for 100 bucks it can be replaced every year. I would probably stay away from PVC if you could. That stuff breaks pretty easy when it's freezing outside and dogs/people don't always treat blind frames nice. 

Here's another view. It works like a charm and helps hold in heat VERY well. Thank god for propane....lol

[Jekemi]

Choclab: good idea on the metal conduit. you're right about the PVC. I noticed you have the trolling motor mounted in the front of the boat and lights as well. what's the reason for the mount position of the trolling motor? what kind of lights are you using and how are they powered?