Input on two possible boat blind ideas

Mark W

Mark W

Well-known member
About to start the blind build onto the ducker. While I really like the pop up blind I built for the 14" boat a few years back, it was pretty complicated and I don't need this in my life anymore. I am considering two different methods. The two hoop method or a scissors type of blind. I've included a couple of pics that illustrate the two types being considered. Would appreciate input on pros an cons of each design.

on the two hoop metohod, I think I would replace the connection pipe with a stainless wire. Save weight.

Blind is going on a 12' Lund Ducker powered by a 7hp longtail.

My requirements are pretty simple. Easy to put up and take down. Able to easily drop a side (or whatever) to retrieve downed birds. Lightweight. Easy to "store" when traveling down the road at 65mph. My current design I have to use a boat cover to drive down the highway. Would be nice to eliminate the cover

Hope this makes sense.
 

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I laid my layout blind on my ducker last fall and thought , “ wow, it wouldn’t take much at all to mount it there . Cut the bottom out, add some snaps.
 
Are you wanting sit up on stool blind ideas as compared to layout blind ideas.? Personally I would build my sit on stool blind so I could enter/exit across bow with blind up. That requires a blind that allows about a foot separation at bow deck of your uprights running to blind wall, not the crossed x of your previous blind picture. With that foot of separation and then slight angle of uprights to say 28" separation at top of wall you can easily step up onto deck and exit boat. I,ve built some that upright tubing telescoped inside each other to get height needed for wall but still rests on gunnels when collapsed. No roof to this style so they need to be grassed to drape inwards over shoot slot.
 
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Josh Jenson said:
I laid my layout blind on my ducker last fall and thought , “ wow, it wouldn’t take much at all to mount it there . Cut the bottom out, add some snaps.
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You can use the layout blind designed for the Cabela's ascend 12 kayak. It's pretty sweet.
 
I have built several of the scissor type blinds. The issue I always had was how to keep it up. Tried pinning the 2 side together where they crossed. Pain to get in and out of. Also was not real easy to get the pin in and out when cold and wet. Tried posts to prop it up and on windy days would not stay in place. Finally ended up with a couple carabiners tied the top bar on each side that just clip together to put it up. Have a couple other pieces of anchor line going from the top bar to the gunnel of the boat that are just long enough to keep the blind in place. I tie taut line hitches on the lines so adjustemnts can be made if needed. The conduit is pinned boards that mount to the gunnels so I can easily remove it for the off season I have had this setup for 10 years now and it is very easy to put up and take down. I would post pics of actual blind but it is still in storage waiting for bird season. Hope this helps
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Josh Jenson said:
Kyle, have you got a pic of this setup? I like my ducker with no blind but you just never know!
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Josh, I got it in my head to try a layout blind in a Ducker a few years ago. I used an original Final Approach Sport Utility Blind. I had to disassemble the blind and shorten the width of the base on each end by about 2 inches so that it would fit into the Ducker. I also had to make a few slight bends to upward support arms to account for the shortened base so the the flip doors remained flush ... it was fairly easy. Here is an early pic of the blind in the Ducker before grassing. I added a crossbar behind the blind to move me up to my rowing distance ... I could fit a five gallon bucket behind me to give an idea of where I secured the crossbar. I liked the set up a lot but a spine injury took me out of the layout game ... I now have to sit up or I don't get long in the marsh. IMO, you could probably use just about any layout blind according to what you like (especially comfort since you will be in it for extended amounts of time), availability, and price. I don't have any idea about what's out there for layouts as I have not messed with them in many years. Modifying the base just took some time and elbow grease along with a hacksaw and drill. I'm no engineer so it had to be pretty easy if I did it. If I had to do it again, I would have cut an extra 3/4 to 1 inch off of the width ... I tried to be too exact and it nearly didn't fit into the Ducker's floor. That would also give you a little more storage between the blind and the hulls. It was nice to slip the oars, push pole, back-up paddle, and such between the hull and blind ... everything seemed neater than before. 1726962143432.jpeg
 
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