Question on grassing my boat

Tom Barb

Tom Barb

Active member
I have a 14 ft jon boat that I want to attach pieces of fast grass to. My question is instead of adding grass rails, can I drill a few small holes at the top of the gunnels to run zip ties through to hold the grass on.
I don't think it would compromise the structural integrity much. Am I wrong?

As far as water, if it is that high up in the boat, I'd have bigger problems to worry about.
 
You want to cover the sides of the boat or the cockpit area? Drilling a few small holes in the top rail will not to any structural damage to the boat.
 
I just want to break up te outline. So I just want to drape a 16" wide piece over the rail and zip tie thru the side to hold it there. I would be drilling right under the top rail so it would actually be the side of the boat but at the very top. I didn't think it would make much difference. Just wanted some opinions before I go drilling away.
 
Be careful draping the grass into the water even with my fold up blind i have to make sure 100% of the grass is folded into the boat because when you start motoring the grass can pull water into the boat
 
If you drill holes some place were someone could slide their hand over is not a good idea. I agree that you could use a batten or board attach to the boat. How do you plan to support the grass mats for a blind?

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Thanks for the replies guys. I went ahead and did it. Doesn't seem to be an issue at all and I'm happy with the result. It hid well and did not bring any water into the boat. Here's a few pics.






 
Here is what I did with a 16' jon I use to have, I know its not what you where asking about but it might give you some ideas.

I took two 16' cattle panels and cut them to the height I wanted to build my blind, then I laid the panel on the boats rail and marked the spacing for the panels rungs / posts that where sticking down.
Filed off the drill holes on the rail to smooth them and filed off the shafts on the panel and stuck them through the holes
then zip tied fast grass to the panels and bent to shape

P1000444.jpg
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The panel rungs were held against the side of the boat by pressure and never once in ten years of use snagged anything.
The panels were removed every spring for fishing then put back in the fall.
 
Boat looks good. Only problem I see is the grass low in the water. Lots of drag while under way. In freezing weather a problem freezing with extra weight added and a stability problem could result.
 
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