Jon Boat modifications question

Paul Meisenheimer

Paul Meisenheimer

Well-known member
I have had an idea bouncing around in my head for a couple of years and I can't decide how practical it is.

I have a 16' mod V jon boat that I am relatively happy with. The blind on the other hand gives me fits. I have been thinking about building an upper structure to permanently raise the sides about a foot. I was thinking of an angled solid side with some means of grassing and possibly putting in a dog door on the sides. With the depth of the boat being about 22 inches, adding a foot would make it high enough to eliminate the need for a blind in most circumstances.

Has anyone attempted anything like this or seen anything like this? Is this a crazy idea and should I just be looking for a different boat?
 
I have an Avery Pop Up blind. It freezes up in cold weather, I can't motor with it up so cripples are a bother and it is too big and blocky for late season when the grass and rice is a little thin for hiding in. I can grass it but it doesn't roll when I do.

IMG00202.jpg

 
What you are talking about doing has been done before and by guys on this site.
Before you add permanent structure to your boat, why not try cutting down the height of the blind?
Wont help with freezing but will get rid of the high profile. Does it freeze that stiff that you cant lower it?
THis is one reason why I dont think commercial are worth the money. With a lot less money and little bit of time, you can easily make a blind to fit your needs and your boat.
 
The blind itself was quick and painless to install. That is the reason for a commercial blind. It has folding legs so I suppose if I took a little of the top and the same amount off the bottom it would work to lower it. I find the flip tops work even when it is frozen so that is my version of a low blind. I have used it that way a lot. I figure if that is what I'm going to do I might as well get rid of the frame, legs and sides. LOL
 
Phil,

What kind of blind is that? I am in the same situation with my boat. I don't want a sissor blind and am contemplating constructing a semi perm blind for it.
 
That is a homemade blind.... It was on a 1650 Xpress... 3/4" pvc frame covered with .040" aluminum.... painted and grassed...
Starboard.jpg

frame.jpg

aluminum.jpg

 
Cas, It is the material that freezes up when it is rolled up and it is a real pain to unroll. It would take a sizable pee to free it up all the way around. LOL

Phil, I like the looks of that. It looks like it provides a lot of space inside the boat. One of my complaints about my current blind is that it sits well inside the gunnels and reduces space in the boat considerably.
 
Sorry misunderstoud,But what about trying the winshield de-Icer that is used for auto windshields? but you might want to try it on a small area fisrt to see if its safe to use on the blind material . Good Luck
 
Pick up a copy of WILDFOWL magazine there is an article about how a guy built a removable solid blind out of aluminum sheet. Pretty slick blind.
 
John, we would need two of them and it wouldn't solve my mud challenges at Long Point. But I like the way you think.

Maybe two of them and a garvey with a surface drive. :)
 
I'll be satisfied with whatever you are pulling behind the VW. I'm afraid my dream of an Estuary will remain a dream. I'll be lucky to afford gas.
 
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