Floating blind build

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

We got a new lease this year in West TN. We're in the Obion river bottom, near the Mississippi. It is a mix of timber and buck brush swamp with some levees that hold water nearly year round. We also have an old river run slough.

Access is a bit of a challenge.... Park in a bean field. ATV across the field, through the woods, to the swamp. Then, boat in on high water, wade in on low water.

First year hunting this property, we're making lots of assumptions about how ducks will work and use it. Locating a big permanent blind is a gamble and it is a substantial investment and challenge due to the access and swamp.

We originally intended to stick build a blind as cheaply as possible but the task of setting posts and the wildly variable water levels steered us towards a floating blind. Ultimately, we decided to build it at home in modules so that we could disassemble it, haul it, drag it to/through the swamp and reassemble it.

I'm proud of how it's gone so far and thought I'd share.

The platform is 24x8 and breaks into 4) 4x12 modules. Flotation is 5) 50 gallon drums per module.

This is the first module going together.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

Here you can start to see it taking shape. How each platform module is attached to the others and the first tilt-up wall being installed.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

Walls and roof panels going up. I did most of this by myself.

The long walls are all built in 10' sections. Each end is 2) 4' panels.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

Siding is 1/4" PVC sheet. I'm not sure but this stuff must be a byproduct of something else. It can be found on craigslist scattered all over the southeast. This was $6 per 4x8 sheet and should substantially outlast plywood.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

hunterbr · Aug 23, 2017

That's an awesome massive blind. My brother and I are building a floating blind also using poly drums but yours is way way above ours. Good work!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

Now to the time consuming details. Dog ramps on a floating blind are a challenge. I decided to cantilever these. The access ladder is also an issue with variable water levels. My thinking here is that anytime its too deep for this, we're stepping directly off the boat anyway.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

Benches for 8 shooters. Shelves on the front wall for drinks and shells. And a kitchen counter space in the "romper room."

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

Paint turned out nice but i forgot to take pics. Disassembly took the 3 of us 1 hour. Loading it all for travel to the lease took another.

Our plan is to go assemble it and start brushing in September.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

HNTFSH · Aug 23, 2017

Good Lord Son!

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

It is going in a clump of trees in this hole.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Bunker · Aug 23, 2017

HNTFSH said:
Good Lord Son!

I second that!

walnuts4x4 · Aug 23, 2017

Damn that's nice

cluckmeister · Aug 23, 2017

Are you going to hire a chef to cook breakfast? Talk about Cadillacing it, wow

dem0001 · Aug 23, 2017

Hot. Dog. That is a fine blind. What's your plan for a boat hide when the water is up?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

dem0001 said:
Hot. Dog. That is a fine blind. What's your plan for a boat hide when the water is up?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm attaching 2x's that extend off the back roof line that will get netting and brush thrown over them. No additional flotation or walls.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Rat Creek · Aug 23, 2017

That is impressive both in design and execution. :thumbsup:

You are going to need a lot of brush. :yes: A whole lot of brush. :yes:

tenfingergrip · Aug 23, 2017

Deeeeep pockets!!!!

Now pray for ducks!!

Jpxb2003 · Aug 23, 2017

The things a man will do to kill a duck.

tmorelli · Aug 23, 2017

tenfingergrip said:
Deeeeep pockets!!!!

Now pray for ducks!!

Blue collar.

We've got about $2200 in it. With the members splitting, it isn't a game changer for anyone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

hunterbr · Aug 24, 2017

I can't wait to see the final product!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Indaswamp · Aug 24, 2017

tmorelli said:
The platform is 24x8

Damn....almost as big as the indacamp.

Indaswamp · Aug 24, 2017

tmorelli said:
tenfingergrip said:

Deeeeep pockets!!!!

Now pray for ducks!!

Click to expand...

Blue collar.

We've got about $2200 in it. With the members splitting, it isn't a game changer for anyone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

I looked the pictures over but did not see any straps or cables to hold the barrels in place. Also- I strongly suggest adding a golf ball size piece of dry ice to each barrel and then gorilla glue the bungs in place to seal them. (glue one side first, then when it is dry you can add the CO2 and seal the other) You do not need any more CO2 than that. As the dry ice melts, the CO2 gas will expand inside the barrel and give you about 10psi inside the barrel.

This does two things, it seals the barrel so it will not pull in moisture as the air expands and contracts. The little bit of dry ice will expand just enough to pressurize the inside of the barrel so the sides will not collapse under weight....old trick or ********* in the swamp that have trapping shacks. Tried and true-trust me it works. Get those bungs tight quickly with a bung wrench after adding the dry ice.

tmorelli · Aug 24, 2017

Indaswamp said:
tmorelli said:

tenfingergrip said:

Deeeeep pockets!!!!

Now pray for ducks!!

Click to expand...

Blue collar.

We've got about $2200 in it. With the members splitting, it isn't a game changer for anyone.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

I looked the pictures over but did not see any straps or cables to hold the barrels in place. Also- I strongly suggest adding a golf ball size piece of dry ice to each barrel and then gorilla glue the bungs in place to seal them. (glue one side first, then when it is dry you can add the CO2 and seal the other) You do not need any more CO2 than that. As the dry ice melts, the CO2 gas will expand inside the barrel and give you about 10psi inside the barrel.

This does two things, it seals the barrel so it will not pull in moisture as the air expands and contracts. The little bit of dry ice will expand just enough to pressurize the inside of the barrel so the sides will not collapse under weight....old trick or ********* in the swamp that have trapping shacks. Tried and true-trust me it works. Get those bungs tight quickly with a bung wrench after adding the dry ice.

The barrels are trapped by the framing and also secured with rope which should only serve any purpose during transportation.

That is a great idea on the dry ice. We have thread dope on the bungs now but were looking at adding some silicone around the caps for insurance.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G890A using Tapatalk

Bunker · Aug 24, 2017

If access like you stated is difficult...how you plan on getting that behemoth in there?

Sent from my pocket pop tart using Takeacrap

uglymug · Aug 24, 2017

That's a lot of weight. Will those barrels hold up all that lumber?

kbooger · Aug 24, 2017

uglymug said:
That's a lot of weight. Will those barrels hold up all that lumber?

Plus guys, gear, dogs, a chef and restaurant style grill (go big or go home right?).

I was considering doing something similar with a bunch of foam blocks I got free from a trailer company. Not sure the land owner would really like that though...

Floating blind build

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities