re: New duck blind thoughts?

quote:

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a 25 yammerhammer would push it down the lake..

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Yes it would but I wouldn't ride

A few comments:

1) looks too small for 3 ppl...i'd always plan on 3 just in case and to add some room if only hunting 2.

2) make sure u can still shoot over the back of the blind if the wind changes and birds start working the rear.

3) u may want to build it so u can drive the boat straight thru the port, or enter from either side. May not be a problem if you're driving an outboard.

4) I'd turn the boat port barrels on their side like the ones under the platform. It may want to rock backwards some in the wind since they don't displace as much water.

5) may want to use Styrofoam blocks in conjunction or in lieu of the jugs for the reason already brought up.

6) the uprights on your bench seat need to run down past and attach to the floor joist on either side. Its going to work loose as you currently have it detailed with very much use. Really you should scrap the bench and use cheap camp stools that can be moved around and pulled if you want.

7) I'd tighten the gap between the front and rear cover. Looks like you have 3' between them which will be a big hole for you to cover with something that doesn't look naturally occurring.

Good luck. You'll learn a lot and you'll figure out a good design 3-4 yrs from now after you've rebuilt this one 3-4 more times.

looks like a good way for 3 people to drown.

Thanks for all the tips and advice!! I will be tying it up/down to trees for stability purposes..

Probably going to move the dog ramp to the front of the blind. And we are planning to fill the rear upright barrels a portion of the way (maybe 1/3) to add weight (to the back end) for more stability when there is weight in the front of the blind...

Software it was drawn up in is autocad inventor..

Yep!! In the software we have accounted for the barrels to support the wood weight...

Each 55 gallon drum will support 8.34lb/gal therefore approximately 450lb per barrel...

We only plan on putting 4 people MAX in there so figure 1000 pounds with gear and the software we have give us the weight of the structure using the density of wood which comes to around 700 lbs for the blind...

We are good to go..

People, gear, and the weight of the wood, wire, and brush will cut it close.

My opinions only, and I hadn't read the whole thread, so this may already have been said....

1. Consider either extending your roof longer, push your bench back, or both. While you can always cantilever brush past the roof, it just looks like your bench is sitting in the bald arse open.

2. Ad a back to the bench area. Creature comforts, plus then you can tell people "do not let your back come off this wall while I'm working ducks, ie, don't move until you hear my safety click off".

3. If it's wide enough, add two more barrels between the two rows you've already got. It won't hurt anything, and that way, if you have one (or two) barrels go bad, you can still hunt.

4. when you tie this thing off, if possible, tie it two TWO cypress trees such that IF y'all all raise up, and the front of the blind starts to "flip under", the ropes will keep the blind from flipping. Experience here......

5. building the wall will also potentially muffle the noise of a boat beating around in a boat run, which they have been known to do. Nothing'll piss you off more than having about 15 mallards locked up, then flair because they heard the boat in the blind. Obviously, you can tie it off really well, but I'm just saying - the wall gives you added benefits in sounds, and it also gives a "backing" to ducks sailing right in from out out front. they won't be looking through a hole.

take that for what's it worth.

Will need a shite load of more bracing in between the platform and were one parks a boat. Wave action will rip that apart fast.

I hope the OP used bolts instead of nails or it will fall apart fast.

Good suggestions in this thread. I will second the drive through capability. It will be useful at some point to enter from one side or the other...

You may want it close to a tree, may be in a mudboat w/o reverse, etc. Make it versatile. You could even extend the brace down under the water if you want it intact

Looks good. Im just curious, why did you decide to go upright with the other two barrels instead of laying them down like the rest?