Posted by FILIPT. on November 25, 2006 at 11:21 AM
Hi, all. I'm a newbie here. Wanted to ask you guys and gals if you have ever built or purchased a floating blind.
I have recently been shooting a lot in wetland habitats and getting close to my subjects is as challenge. A floating blind, however, would do that trick. I have spent a little time drawing out some very basic blue prints for a floating blind, but have never built one before.
Do you think it would be wiser to build with any particular materials, or to perhaps start with a fishing float-tube as a base?
Posted by Ed Dubois on November 25, 2006 at 11:46 AM
Hi Filip
There are some books by Tim Fitzharris, Wild Bird Photography, National Audubon Society Guide ISBN 01-55209-018-3 in which he discusses how to build and use the floating blinds he designed for his own use. One of his other books that I can't lay my hands on at the moment, has some plans in there too.
If you do go ahead with this I hope you'll post some pictures of your blind and describe how it works. But do be very careful - cameras and water don't mix well. Remember your own safety too!
Posted by Kent Staubus on November 25, 2006 at 1:01 PM
There's been numerous threads on this in the past, try searching on the word "duckboat" or "floating." I'm a very experienced duckhunter who also takes photos from the water in the spring and summer and have some thoughts. First, I like the idea of using a duckboat more than a simple floating blind. They are more versatile for one thing. Try any of the duck hunting supply places for ideas, such as www.cabelas.com. My 10 ft. camo boat came from Carstens Boats, and I love it. I added a blind to the top made out of PVC tubes and duck hunting synthetic camo. It's quite effective.
For a floating blind deal, you can make one by buying 2" thick foam insulating sheets, cutting them into pontoon shapes (two), and gluing about 6 inches worth together in a stack using waterproof construction glue. Then use PVC tubes to make a frame, and then add camo material over the top, either synthetic fabric or natural cattails etc. One of my duck hunting friends made a floating blind that looks like a muskrat hut. These are effective but have the limitation in the depth of water you can use them in, and are also slower to get into a position. I've seen some complete directions on how to make them on a duckhunting forum--www.averyoutdoors.com I think. You'll have to search the message boards for "floating blind." With the floating blind type deal, you will need decent waders. In summer the breathable type will work well, but in winter I definitely would use 5mm neoprene.
There's also an inflatible Seveylor kayak in camo color that you could lay down in, throw a camo cover over yourself, and shoot off the gunwale. It's cheap, well built, and fits into a trunk. I think Cabelas has them.
Discussion
2 repliesI have recently been shooting a lot in wetland habitats and getting close to my subjects is as challenge. A floating blind, however, would do that trick. I have spent a little time drawing out some very basic blue prints for a floating blind, but have never built one before.
Do you think it would be wiser to build with any particular materials, or to perhaps start with a fishing float-tube as a base?
Thanks for your assistance and interest,
Filip T.
http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=up&pi=FILIPT.&u=27987
There are some books by Tim Fitzharris, Wild Bird Photography, National Audubon Society Guide ISBN 01-55209-018-3 in which he discusses how to build and use the floating blinds he designed for his own use. One of his other books that I can't lay my hands on at the moment, has some plans in there too.
If you do go ahead with this I hope you'll post some pictures of your blind and describe how it works. But do be very careful - cameras and water don't mix well. Remember your own safety too!
For a floating blind deal, you can make one by buying 2" thick foam insulating sheets, cutting them into pontoon shapes (two), and gluing about 6 inches worth together in a stack using waterproof construction glue. Then use PVC tubes to make a frame, and then add camo material over the top, either synthetic fabric or natural cattails etc. One of my duck hunting friends made a floating blind that looks like a muskrat hut. These are effective but have the limitation in the depth of water you can use them in, and are also slower to get into a position. I've seen some complete directions on how to make them on a duckhunting forum--www.averyoutdoors.com I think. You'll have to search the message boards for "floating blind." With the floating blind type deal, you will need decent waders. In summer the breathable type will work well, but in winter I definitely would use 5mm neoprene.
There's also an inflatible Seveylor kayak in camo color that you could lay down in, throw a camo cover over yourself, and shoot off the gunwale. It's cheap, well built, and fits into a trunk. I think Cabelas has them.
Kent in SD