TDB boat blind

[Sean C.]

I have been doing a lot of thinking and research on different boat blinds for my Scaup. I have seen many of the posts on here in the past for different blind designs, and I have come to the conclusion that for my type of hunting it seems that the blind used on TDB boats is the answer. I plan on using a sailboat style dodger but need to build a blind that encloses the sides of the boat and the rear, but collapses easily. I would love it if any of you TDB boat owners had some detailed pictures of how your blind works, or if anyone else has simular pictures/drawings of a blind that is comparable I would appreciate it.

Sean

 

[Gene Jr.]

Side shooter or original open top? I have the open top and think the side shooter may be a better design. The grass IS always greener....

Gene Jr.

 

[Carl]

How about a modified scissor type blind? Easy to make with some conduit & bimini hardware. I will get my diagram from my home computer & post it tonight or tomorrow.

 

[Carl]

I think you could easily modify this to fit your boat. Some others on the site have used this base design or have similar designs they came up with. You would just need to shorten the length to fit just around the cockpit. Could attach the bottom of the blind material to the coming.
[inline Blind2Scisor.jpg ]
[inline ScissorBlindBowPole.JPG ]

 

[Sean C.]

Gene,
My goal is to minimize the "stuff" on/in/around my boat which is what has drawn me to this particular style of blind. It rains a lot here in the Northwest so it would be great to have some sort of roof, but only if it was removeable and could be used without if needed. In the pictures I have seen the side shooter might solve this problem, but is the roof easily removed? I hunt tidal waters that move in and out very fast, so I am constantly in and out of the boat. Any input you have would be great.


The scisor type blind works well, I have hunted out of them quite a few times, but it would be real tough to use this blind in conjunction with a dodger.

Thanks,

Sean

 

[Gene Jr.]

Sean,

I have the open top design. The angle of it keeps some rain out but not as much as a roof. I've thought of making a roof panel that attaches along one of the long sides and uses flexible fiberglass rods (like the ones used in tents) that can be bent over to adjust the angle of the roof, unrestricted they would stand straight up. You could tie them off to the opposite long side of the blind. Just my thoughts on upgrading the original TDB blind.

Gene

 

[Sean C.]

Gene,
I think that is a brilliant idea, it could then easily be rolled up and stored when not in use, you could even then use it as a quick release to pop the top open when ready to shoot if need be. If you have any pictures of how the "guts" of your blind work that would be greatly appreciated. My old man does some boat upholstry on the side and he is going to sew the top blind for me, so I need to just coordinate the mechanics of the blind with his skills (I wish I had the skills myself, it would make this much easier).

Thanks

Sean

 

[Larry J]

Sean, I have the open-top and/or side-shooter blind on a 14ft tdb. i've never used the side-shooter because it seems too restrictive in terms of shooting angle; plus i'd have to sit or kneel on the floor (and i prefer sitting and standing to shoot). i'll see what i can do to post some pics of how the blind works in a day or two, but you might have trouble finding hardware for the angle joints and you'll have to have blind material with a "sleeve" in it to pass the rods through, so there may be sewing involved. also, there are may snaps around the bottom of the blind which you'd have to install.

Gene, doesn't your blind offer side-shooter. i thought all the blinds allowed either or.

 

[Sean C.]

Larry,
I appreciate the input. I too would rather sit upright and stand to shoot. I think I would prefer to have a roof be a secondary thing that would not be used most of the time, except for when its really nasty out. The sewing will not be an issue, I can have my father do that for me.

Sean

 

[harry whitley]

Rig it so that you can raise the side that is back too the wind a little higher and a little more angled in to protect you from the wind. That will also do a good job as back cover for breaking up your outline and still allow you to stand to shoot.
Good luck,
Harry

 

[Larry J]

Sean, here's the basic design for the TDB blind poles (14 ft classic model). See attached pics too. Bob's pics show how it's all attached on the outside.

There are 4 vertical poles and 4 horizontal poles. The vertical poles (2 on each side of the boat) pass through a hole in the gunnel and slip into a bracket (see pic). This gives the blind stability.

The horizontal poles are in sleeves in each of the 4 parts of the blind; one for the bow; one for the stern, etc. The horizontal poles have 4 swivel hinges (my term); one each end of the pole there's one swivel fixed in place (with a set screw) and one swivel without a set screw that allows it to rotate around the pole. The port and starboard sides of the blind are simply unrolled and the "inside" swivel is placed on top of the vertical poles. Each side is completey independent and will stay in place without the bow or stern portions. With the P&S sections in place, the bow and stern rods are simply inserted into the fixed swivels on the end of the horizontal poles. The bow and stern poles don't have swivels attached.

I didn't measure, but I believe my system is 1/2-inch diameter (o.d.). It's all aluminum (and don't use elec conduit it's too flimsy). I tried getting extra swivels from the current boat manufacturer but they couldn't help me. they sent me two larger ones (3/4 or 1-in for bigger boats). I also tried getting swivels from Kee-Klamp (stair rail hardware), but they didn't work either. they were cast iron and had a larger i.d. than the pipe. If you can find this hardware, you're in business...and if you do, let me know where you bought it. when the blind is set up, i face port and lean against starboard.

One thing to consider; don't angle the back of your blind inward like on the TDB or you'll be sitting hunched over. I actually modified mine so i can lean back against the gunnel and added a flip top (similar to Bob's). I'll probably won't hunt with the flip top much next year because it just takes too much time to get in shooting position when i'm all closed in.

good luck

 

[Sean C.]

Thank you all for the great help and pictures. That helps me out a lot.

 

[Gene Jr.]

I second the idea not to angle the side at your back so you can sit upright. If I was to start from scratch I would keep it a little lower, add a roof and not angle the sides so much. Then I would know why THAT wasn't the perferct blind after I got to use it!

Gene Jr.