Adding fold-up doors to a TDB

G

Glenn in CT

New member
I saw a picture recently (don't ask me where) of a TDB 14 with fold-up doors that were attached along the gunnels and used for concealment instead of the traditional TDB canvas surround. It seemed like a quick and easy process and I've been considering it.
Has anyone on the site made this modification and, if so, could you provide some guidance?
Tony, if you have any input, I'd love to hear that too. Much appreciated!
-Glenn
 
Glenn, Believe it or not this is something we definitely looked at when we were working with the 14 classic, What I did was played with the idea of fitting a field blind over the cockpit opening and believe it or not you can get one that's pretty dang close if you go with an oversized blind. I had hopes of basically redesigning the field blind by splitting it in half and creating to head ends and putting it back together so to speak. This will allow for full length doors and a very adjustable profile potentially.


But we had some set backs with the 14 classic and now its 3rd on the list for us right now. But your idea will work and if you have a field blind or 2 laying around look it over and think it through and you will see the potential for it to work perfectly in the 14 tdb classic.
 
Glen,

That would have to be an innovative design to get rigid doors to lie flat against the rounded side of a TDB. Please post it if you find it.
 
Glenn, If you mean flapper boards, do a search of posts by Bob M His 13 ft. boat has what you are describing and the cockpit is curved.
 
Glenn,

You could mount plywood to the standard side poles brigging it up 6 inches or a foot above the gunnel, then add another piece on top, as high as you'd like, attached with a piano hinge.

What's the purpose of the folding sides, shooting or just quicker set-up.
 
Glenn~

Here is how I put a sit-up blind on my 13'5" Sneakbox. (I've posted these pics here before) It's 1/4" plywood over a wooden frame. Its base is longer and wider than the cockpit opening. This allows it to taper on all 4 sides - which gives cover for over-the-head flights, too. The front flap (really a frame thatched up) folds down for most shots - but all 4 flaps fold down - much less windage for trailing or operating in strong winds.

Here it is with all flaps up:

SJSSneakboxBlind-flapsup_zpsd25fe57a.jpg


Here it is with the front flap down:

SJSSneakboxBlind-gunningflapdown_zps1f9a6937.jpg


Another benefit of the fold-down flaps is that the grass ends are well-protected when trailing, under way, picking up the rig, etc. The lower "walls" on my boat are much taller than you would need for a TDB. The whole blind weighs about 30 pounds (thatched up) and goes on and off the boat in seconds. I secured it with just 1/4" lines from the boat's deck (the thatch rails) to a cleat on each corner of the blind.

BTW: I hunted out of a 17' TDB today (and have hunted out of several 14-footers over the years). Great boats - but I would like them better with this type blind than the canvas ones. I especially like the rear flap - for both keeping out the wind and hiding gunners' silhouettes.

All the best,

SJS
 
tony flaps are glass lay up. i made a mold for them. t hinge mount off alumium angles on boat. helps keep weather and wind off your body plus closes cock pit hole up for over head birds. rick
 
Those flapper boards are very similar to what I saw on the TDB. How are they attached to the hull and what are they made of?
-Glenn
 
Well... if we are just posting pictures of TDB 14 Classics...



John... if you really miss the 14.... talk to me!!! :)
 
I like the idea of fiberglass doors but they would need to be fit to look good as well. We have played with the idea but a TDB is shaped odd and hard to design a conforming set of flat doors for it. We will continue to work on it. never know. I actually have another idea that might just work. We could potentially make them like an old wood roll up doors on kitchen cabinets maybe? Only to be an accordin style they lay flat and lift to create a screen?
 
MLBob, do you have a picture of the corners of the TDB blind? I want to make this style blind and cant figure out what to use to connect the frame.
 
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