Well, I got to pick up the new to me duck rig today 
I still need to do a few things to it like put running lights on, fog lights, and build a blind. But, I should have it ready by duck season. Here are a few of the “before” pics. As soon as I get it completed I will post a few picks of that as well.
Here is the motor 
Here is the motor
SWEET 
… did you run the boat prior to buying it. I am curious how that motor is, it looks kick 
….
SWEET … did you run the boat prior to buying it. I am curious how that motor is, it looks kick ….
I saw a guy zip along with a motor like that last time I was up north, looked pretty cool! Good luck with the ducks!
I saw a guy zip along with a motor like that last time I was up north, looked pretty cool! Good luck with the ducks!
We ran the motor at the dealer but not on the water yet. As soon as we get in from hunting in the morning a friend is going to weld a handle on the boat so I have something to hang on to Then we are going to take it to the marsh and give it a run and see how it goes. The boat is pretty light so it should run okay. As far as the motor goes, it fired right up and ran really smooth. Not nearly as loud as I thought they would be either I can’t wait until tomorrow
We ran the motor at the dealer but not on the water yet. As soon as we get in from hunting in the morning a friend is going to weld a handle on the boat so I have something to hang on to Then we are going to take it to the marsh and give it a run and see how it goes. The boat is pretty light so it should run okay. As far as the motor goes, it fired right up and ran really smooth. Not nearly as loud as I thought they would be either I can’t wait until tomorrow
I have been slowly doing some modifications to the duck boat and having fun at it So far, it runs like a top and I have put it through some pretty rough tests through very shallow and wooody water. It also runs great through the weeds Anyway, here are a few pics to show the grass blind and the handle we have put on so far.
I have been slowly doing some modifications to the duck boat and having fun at it So far, it runs like a top and I have put it through some pretty rough tests through very shallow and wooody water. It also runs great through the weeds Anyway, here are a few pics to show the grass blind and the handle we have put on so far.
Pic 2
Pic 2
Nice looking rig Am! If you don’t mind me asking, what materials are you making the blind and frame out of?
I have a 16′ flat with a 18hp go-devil. I want to make into a boat blind this year.
Nice looking rig Am! If you don’t mind me asking, what materials are you making the blind and frame out of?
I have a 16′ flat with a 18hp go-devil. I want to make into a boat blind this year.
Beautiful Rig! I’m going to put one in my wish list.
Beautiful Rig! I’m going to put one in my wish list.
Nice rig! Looks like conduit, wire (zip) ties, and fastgrass to me. Am, I made mine with about the last 2′ hinged. That way it swings open so I have more room to manuver the handle.
Nice rig! Looks like conduit, wire (zip) ties, and fastgrass to me. Am, I made mine with about the last 2′ hinged. That way it swings open so I have more room to manuver the handle.
I used 1/4″ rod 3 ft long for the uprights. I just drilled holes in the gunnels for the rods to stick into. For the grass I bought some Ghost Grass at Walmart which is 4×5 and cost $8.87. I then zip tied the grass to the rods. I have a little over $50 into the blind. I plan on going to the marsh and getting some native grass and weave some of the green stuff into the blind. I am hoping that will help blend it in even more. I noticed I do have a few more things to improve on though. For instance, on the top of the blind, in between the rods, the grass is sagging. Instead of going and buying more rod, I am going to cut some willows or small tree branches and use them for support. I left the rear a little looser to allow for manuevering of the motor. It might work, or I may need to do some changing 
I also still need to get some fabric of some sort to cover the motor and the front of the boat. But, that will need to be an easy off thing so we can get out of the boat quickly to retrieve ducks and such.
Another idea we may use for a friends boat is to get some chicken wire and weave natural grass in it and the use some sort of support. That would be a cheap way to make a blind as well. I just couldn’t justify buying a nice manufactured blind when a guy can make one for cheaper. With the money saved you can buy more dekes or shells
If anybody has any other suggestions on how to make the blind better, by all means, let me know. This will be my second year duck hunting and I instantly fell in love with it after last year
I used 1/4″ rod 3 ft long for the uprights. I just drilled holes in the gunnels for the rods to stick into. For the grass I bought some Ghost Grass at Walmart which is 4×5 and cost $8.87. I then zip tied the grass to the rods. I have a little over $50 into the blind. I plan on going to the marsh and getting some native grass and weave some of the green stuff into the blind. I am hoping that will help blend it in even more. I noticed I do have a few more things to improve on though. For instance, on the top of the blind, in between the rods, the grass is sagging. Instead of going and buying more rod, I am going to cut some willows or small tree branches and use them for support. I left the rear a little looser to allow for manuevering of the motor. It might work, or I may need to do some changing I also still need to get some fabric of some sort to cover the motor and the front of the boat. But, that will need to be an easy off thing so we can get out of the boat quickly to retrieve ducks and such.
Another idea we may use for a friends boat is to get some chicken wire and weave natural grass in it and the use some sort of support. That would be a cheap way to make a blind as well. I just couldn’t justify buying a nice manufactured blind when a guy can make one for cheaper. With the money saved you can buy more dekes or shells
If anybody has any other suggestions on how to make the blind better, by all means, let me know. This will be my second year duck hunting and I instantly fell in love with it after last year
Quote:
If anybody has any other suggestions on how to make the blind better, by all means, let me know.
If you’re looking for an honest opinion (and even if you’re not 
) I’d say STOP spending money on a boat blind and buy your self a good camo jacket and waders 
.
Personally, I have never seen a boat blind that was completely hidden……MOST stick out like a soar thumb!!! 
They are a dead give away to any duck that has been around for a while and knows the game.
Now obviously you’ll get those few days were it doesn’t seem to make a difference, but believe me……park that boat and walk a ways to set up and you’ll be much better off. Just think about it….wouldn’t it be easier to camoflage a single person as apposed to a whole boat? Boat blinds are just a lazy mans way of hunting 
(can you tell I don’t care much for the things 
)
Quote:
If anybody has any other suggestions on how to make the blind better, by all means, let me know.
If you’re looking for an honest opinion (and even if you’re not ) I’d say STOP spending money on a boat blind and buy your self a good camo jacket and waders .
Personally, I have never seen a boat blind that was completely hidden……MOST stick out like a soar thumb!!! They are a dead give away to any duck that has been around for a while and knows the game.
Now obviously you’ll get those few days were it doesn’t seem to make a difference, but believe me……park that boat and walk a ways to set up and you’ll be much better off. Just think about it….wouldn’t it be easier to camoflage a single person as apposed to a whole boat? Boat blinds are just a lazy mans way of hunting
(can you tell I don’t care much for the things )
We definitely do walk in and hunt as well. Last year that was the only way we hunted. We boated close to where we wanted to setup and then carried everything in. Definitely not lazy , hell we don’t even have a dog! But, the mud motors and blinds will be another tool to use to get into places that are less crowded and do not offer land to stand on. Like I said before, maybe the blind won’t be worth the time, but I will not know until I try it and see.
We definitely do walk in and hunt as well. Last year that was the only way we hunted. We boated close to where we wanted to setup and then carried everything in. Definitely not lazy , hell we don’t even have a dog! But, the mud motors and blinds will be another tool to use to get into places that are less crowded and do not offer land to stand on. Like I said before, maybe the blind won’t be worth the time, but I will not know until I try it and see.
You can make a boat blind blend in, but like you said you HAVE to add natural vegetation. I’ve seen plenty of guys who think they blend in with fastgrass, and it just doesn’t work. I’d suggest some sort of burlap for the motor and throw some natural grass over the top.
You can make a boat blind blend in, but like you said you HAVE to add natural vegetation. I’ve seen plenty of guys who think they blend in with fastgrass, and it just doesn’t work. I’d suggest some sort of burlap for the motor and throw some natural grass over the top.
Your right jaker, boat blinds are the lazy mans way if hunting……… 
, but me I would rather let my head doing all the work and not my legs. 
P.S. Trust me there is ways to blend in………been doing it with an 18 footer for 10+ years.
Your right jaker, boat blinds are the lazy mans way if hunting……… , but me I would rather let my head doing all the work and not my legs.
P.S. Trust me there is ways to blend in………been doing it with an 18 footer for 10+ years.
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