tiny mini pontoon floating blind build

bob welsh

bob welsh

Well-known member
Ok seasons been over for 2 weeks for me and while things are still fresh in my mind I decided to get going on this project . Season started in Canada in October and just finished in Louisiana . Im leaving out the Illinois season, mostly horrible with a few bright spots. So time has come to plan for next season and what I am needing is a portable floating blind for a few spots I hunt along the flyway. Oh I have the boats to do it but sometimes a boat may not be the best or easiest choice.
I have been noodling on a concept and although not completely thought out I figured I would dive in and figure it out as I went. I came up with an idea to make a "H" style mini modular pontoon with the center crosspiece moveable from center to front(dog platform). A small blind will cover the front and back. Not sure yet how. Maybe scissor type or roll up grass. I plan to sit on marsh stools inside

 


Here are the two floats half glassed. I hope you guys get where im going with this as it is a little sketchy right now.
I need all the big thinkers out there to give me some feedback. Im looking for ideas and suggestions on this project.
 
Do yo plan to sit on top, like a platform blind or sit in it like a float tube?
if the former, I would be concerned with stability.

Also, have you calculated how much weight that much foam can float?
 
Im planning on not sitting on the floats(ass is getting so big you could show a movie on it) Ill sit on a marsh stool in between the floats so maybe 3-4 feet or some comfortable width between them. this will be in 6-16 inches of water with a blind on the float about head high I guess.
 
Tom, he is never more than 5 feet from me at all times! What may be considered abuse is the cigar smoke and bluegrass music.
 
Well in that case I guess just fit him with a dust mask. Ha Ha



Well in that case just fit him with a dust mask. Ha Ha

Tom
 
Good morning, Bob~

Got a sketch of the "overview" (the vision that floats around in your head) ?

If this is to be a floating blind that surrounds you as you sit on a stool, I am wondering if you had considered thinwall PVC drain pipe. Is the center cross-member removable for disassembly?

How tall do your walls need to be above the pontoons? And what's the maximum beam ?

I will watch this thread with fevered anticipation!

All the best,

SJS
 
Steve, I have a plan in my head and a few scribbled notes on a clipboard but mostly built on the fly. I had considered a foam/burlap/mastic float . It works on decoys. I had considered using 2 part urethane foam(boat floor flotation) poured in a carboard concrete pier forming tube. Also I looked at the pvc as tube floats. All the materials would work as the base just needs to float more or less thats all the requirement I need.
The cross piece is going to be removable for transportation and storage issues. It will be just wide enough for a dog. I dont know if I build it to ride over the water or make it 4 layers thick like the pontoons and have it provide some lift.
I have thought a little about the blind knowing it needs to be around 3 ft tall. I was thinking about telescoping pvc pipe
 
I think the dog is worried,does he have a float coat?
Just kidding.
Interesting project,can't wait to see it in the water.
 
Ill sit on a marsh stool in between the floats so maybe 3-4 feet or some comfortable width between them. this will be in 6-16 inches of water with a blind on the float about head high I guess.
Click to expand...

[size 4] Looks like a fun project, but when I envision transporting this blind and your gear to the appropriate location, and then the ensuing set up ....I'm thinking one of Ira's "Invisichair" blinds would be just the ticket
 
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Neat idea Bob. I have some small water I hunt over here off the Mississippi and here is the pontoon rig I use.





The blind came off a bagchair blind from Ameristep called a Wingshooter blind. This one in particular is discontinued but I believe they have other designs you may get some inspiration from. Also check out the Beavertail Stealth blinds for ideas.
 
MLBob- Ira makes some great stuff and I have some of his products. The chair would work for sure, but still need the dog stand set up. The blind on that chair is pretty clever.

Ed L- thats a nice set up . Pretty much what I am going for. I will have to check that site out. Im going for a two man blind with my design. Ill have some more questions down the line for you.
 
had a little time to work on this today and look around the web for some "inspiration" .

the dog deck is 36 long by 15 wide poles go through holes to be cut in pontoons
 
I added two more layers of foam on top to enclose the wood rods. I am going to use 2 inch pvc and glass that in the pontoons so the rods have a slick pathway.
 
I'm sort of confused, maybe.....
So you sit on a stool in about knee deep or so water? And then you'll have the blind floating on water surrounding you?
If I'm on the money, sounds like a cool project if it's easy to transport.

Are water levels always the same? Wondering if that could be a factor in the blinds overall height?

Keep posting pics as you go. I always enjoy checking out DIY waterfowl projects
 
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Nick, You have the concept correct. Ill use a stool shoved into the mud and the blind will float around me. In a couple of areas I hunt I get quite a bit of changing water levels but not more than knee deep. I wanted it modular to put in truck and then the big boat and then assemble onsite and leave it in place for a period of time (read that ,til I burn the hole out) then move it to a new spot. It should be pretty light.
The blind height is something I have thought of but am leaving that "conceptual" at the moment. Water depth will be a factor for sure.
 
Did some more work today and can post some pics of what has been rattling around in my head. I still have to glass the entire thing just about but this should give you an idea. I used 2" pvc set in great stuff foam in the pontoons and used it to fill some chunks of foam that broke off and ill sand everything down when it dries. I set 1" pvc at the corners to receive the blind uprights .








 
I left the connecting dowels long and will trim later . I was thing hitch pin and large washer to keep it snugged together but am open to some ideas.
 
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