Two projects done: Duck Cabin & Fireplace

Rick Kyte

Rick Kyte

Well-known member

We finally got the floating duck cabin launched a couple of weeks ago. Didn't get any launch pics, but here are a few that show how it turned out. Just a little overnight retreat spot for hunting and fishing on Pool 8 of the Upper Mississippi. This has been a three year on again off again project, so I'm glad to get enough of it finished to get on the water.


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Had more ambitious plans for the interior, but when a slip opened up and I had to get it done quick or miss out on another year, decided to take a few shortcuts--like paneling on the walls. Cabinets are just roughed in, and the back entry needs to be finished, but that can wait until next summer. The bench-table that converts to a bed was a fun thing to build. The bench seats and backs are just edge-glued pine boards; the table is 3/4" particle board with a maple edge. I've seen varnished particle board used for table tops in a couple of places and I really like the look of it. The ends of the benches need some trim work yet.

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The other side of the boat. One thing I noticed "after the fact" is that I put most of the weight on the port side, and with a narrow hull, it lists a bit to that side. When you add three or four people sitting down at the table, it's really noticeable.
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NDR project: Last summer I posted some pics of a surround for a pellet stove insert using a 4' x 4' piece of sheet metal and gun bluing and plum gun finish. Here's a photo of how that project turned out. The fireplace was painted brick. I covered that with maple ply and maple burl veneer and put slate over the hearth. The mantel is extended out over the pellet stove about 10 inches with a curve to match the stove. (Hard to see in this photo.)

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I noticed when taking this photo yesterday that one of the veneer panels has develop a 2" bubble. It's attached to a plywood substrate with heat activated veneer glue. If anyone has advice on how to fix the bubble, I'd appreciate it.

Rick
 
Cool! Reminds me of the duck camps in Port Eades, LA. Just a smaller version and way upstream!
 
Rick I like it. Are there beds in there or is it like a camper that the table drops down to make a bed? (Didn't look like it to me but doesn't mean much) That's a pretty cool little cabin you've got set up
 
Ira--It's similar to many "boat houses" that are grandfather into the refuge regs, but no longer allowed. This one should be legal because it's on a steel hull (not barrels), it has a transom, and it's tied to a slip and not permanently moored. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the DNR doesn't give me any difficulty with it.

Wis Boz--it's at the Municipal Harbor just south of the Cass Street bridge

Dani--I had originally planned to build bunk beds, but that would have taken up too much space. So there's a futon sofa that folds down into a bed and then the table that drops down. And then there's space on the floor for whoever loses at cards.
 
For the bubble Rick. With heat sensitive glue You should be able to stick it back. As to the cause moisture behind it would be the most like reason. Could be a air bubble that expands and contracts with the temperature. Doesn't really matter.

The cure, with a fine needle poke the center of the bubble. With you wife clothes iron, heat not turned too high. I test this with a scape of veneer and glue on a piece of wood until the glue melts that hot enough. Then go over the bubble allowing the air or moisture to escape though the hole. Don't hold the iron in one spot to long so as not to scorch the wood. I have a old iron in the work shop just for this purpose. Don't get any glue on your wife iron or you will be buying her a new one One more thing the finish on the veneer I don't what kind but some are heat sensitive. You could put a cotton cloth on the bottom of the iron.

Back to the house boat, that looks real good. Are you going to make it mobile or just leave it at the slip.
 
Pete,
Thanks for the advice--I'll give it a try. The veneer is varnished, so I am worried about too much heat affecting the finish. The cotton cloth should help.
rick
 
Rick,

Looks like you did yourself proud on your projects. I really like how the house boat came out. I see a spot on the wall just waiting for Dani's picture I told you I'd donate to the duck camp. I'll bring it along next month.

Ed L.
 
Something else to see in August.

For the bibble, I have a couple of other thoughts. One is to use a heating pad and put it on the wood and heat the area up. Not as harsh as the iron (poking a small hole with a needle is required.

Another suggestion, although a liitle more expensive is to go to your local hooby store and buy an iron that heats up the material that they put on the wings of R/C airplanes. I can't recall what that stuff is called but Lou T can tell you. The bebefit of this iron is that it is smaller and the tempreature goes lower than a regular household iron.

Mark W
 
Ed A - It floats on a square steel hull; sturdy but not very navigable. The old guy I bought it from had a little outboard on the back and would open up both doors so he could see through to the front and take it out into the main channel (so he said). I'm not planning to do that. There is no head. There's a porta potty in the lot above the slip, and there are rest rooms and showers across the harbor.

Ed L - the walls are a little bare. I've been collecting bad duck and fish art to hang there. I can't remember: is Dani's picture good art or bad art? It's welcome as long as it fits in.

Mark - I just got done using the iron at a low setting. It seemed to work. We'll see if it stays fixed.
 
Rick, That houseboat is really nice, I can see it full of tired duck hunters telling stories and having a meal and beers. I once went on a houseboat trip on Leech Lake fishing and it was great!!. Kinda like hunting out of a pickup camper only right on the water. Nice job. Also the house project looks good too, I'm installing all new windows in my house this summer, almost done now.
 
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SWEET! When the DNR does the inspection make sure to have the Ry Cooder delta music playing from the soundtrack of the movie Southern Comfort....it just seems like the right thing to do. I think you definately need to consider getting one of those Hamm's lighted signs too. I think there's one with a duck in it. Nice work on both projects!
 
Rick

I'm impressed. That looks like an ideal place to crash or hang out inbetween hunts. Seems like you posted pics before the project started and the final transformation is impressive. You do nice work. Congrats on setting up your duck cabin.
 
Rick,

I think it's good art. It really needs to be in a duck camp but I'll let you be the judge. Also sent you a PM.

Ed
 
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SWEET! When the DNR does the inspection make sure to have the Ry Cooder delta music playing from the soundtrack of the movie Southern Comfort....it just seems like the right thing to do. I think you definately need to consider getting one of those Hamm's lighted signs too. I think there's one with a duck in it. Nice work on both projects!
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Beer sign? did somebody mention a beer sign? Isn't that Dave Sikorki's department?

Rick, Nice looking projects. Hope the veneer fix holds for you. I hope to make the gathering but can't promise just yet.
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