TDB blind thoughts needed

[Tony H]

We are fitting the sea class 17 blind now and having second thoughts on the black welt system that has been used on them. And here is why those little black pieces all over the boat give the deck of the boat a bad appearance when the blind is not installed and looks tacky to me. The straps look somewhat tacky as well but once the blind is camo they wont even show and probably are not needed anyway just a bit of overkill to insure the blind stays snug and the snaps dont come off. So we are considering going back to snaps and also web straps that will attach around the grass rail to insure the blind a strong fit and to relieve some stress from the snaps. Maybe i'm over thinking this but want some opinions from those who have them and or have used both systems. Pros and cons of each if you would please.

 

[RLLigman]

I would encourage you to go back to the track system the the Sea Class had on it under prior ownership. Snaps allow water in under the blind in rough conditions-not much, but enough to be annoying. Snaps break, and the male connector's get bent out of round over time. The cordura blind material will also contract in cold weather, as well as over its usable lifetime, rendering some snaps inaccessable ( I have had to relocate a pair on my boat at the junction of the side and front panels) and/or they are a bugger to snap in place in cold weather during set-up. The webbing straps are fine in black, they stand out more on this hull because it doesn't have the WWII camo gel coat to minimize the degree of contrast.

The minimalist top opening on the TDBs is a big plus, compared to other competing duck boats that have very steep angled and shiny pop-up blinds. I would focus on the rain roof improvements. Going with the track system for the blinds and interior decoy curtains enables the blind erection to be made quickly, as well as keeping the blind panels tight (this is a real plus when grassing to match the background).

I would also drop the motor one hole to maximize the hull's tracking, by lowering the cavitation plate on the motor's lower unit, when you are backing through a decoy spread during retrieval...as well as considering use of a four blade to maximize hole shot (depending on pro-pitch employed you will lose some or a lot of top-end speed). I prefer a boat that can jump on plane and maneuver in mixed sea cross-chop over a boat that emulates a Roy boat, since there will be far fewer instances when WOT is needed or makes sense to achieve.

 

[Cody Foster]

The only complaint I have with the track system is that the vinyl on the front of the blind does not go all the way around the piece. It's just small pieces that just fit in the slots. Most of mine are ripped off the blind about an inch on each side. But this also could be due to contracting of the blind with age?? It's 13 years old.

I also think a system to hold up the rain roof with the all sides up is in need. Just something to cover half the opening to be able to sit back out of the rain without having to sit on the floor. I have been working on this and think I have a pretty good idea, but haven't tried to build it yet.

 

[Tony H]

The only complaint I have with the track system is that the vinyl on the front of the blind does not go all the way around the piece. It's just small pieces that just fit in the slots. Most of mine are ripped off the blind about an inch on each side. But this also could be due to contracting of the blind with age?? It's 13 years old.

I also think a system to hold up the rain roof with the all sides up is in need. Just something to cover half the opening to be able to sit back out of the rain without having to sit on the floor. I have been working on this and think I have a pretty good idea, but haven't tried to build it yet.

Cody all great points and I have an appointment again with the seamstress if we can put a full piece around the bow section that will happen. Also we are looking info full rails to hold the sides and front section of blind in place.

As for the rain roof we have that solved. More details on that once we get everything else straightened out and ready to go.

 

[Dave Sikorski]

I have a Goliath and agree with the above comments. The track system is great when you want to leave the blind on and allow it to act as a spray curtain. I lost one side of my blind a while back and haven't replaced it yet, but did think about the webbing and buckle idea on my replacement piece, but have decided against it.

The plastic track can break, but it's readily available, and Id rather have a black plastic track than a painted aluminum one.

Reinforcing the ends of the rubber piece that slides in the track is a must. They will eventually wear out and do undergo a lot of stress, but maybe sewing a 6"x2" piece of cordura on top of the rubber piece to sandwich it between two layers of cordura will help....just a thought.

-D

I do have a boat cover that I had made locally that has 3 conduit hoops and uses the webbing straps connected through the grass rails and elsewhere to hold the top on. It trailers well and nearly covers from the front cleat to the stern cleats, and about 6" up from the grass rails on each side. It keeps the rain and snow out, but allows some air to move in and out of the boat, which I only assume can be a plus.