Tomkat's Boat Build

[Olly]

Is that bench going to stand up to abuse? It looks like a couple of well built men might squash it.

Sent from my phone.

[Tomkat]

A big challenge was finding the alluminium sheets for the skin of the blind. These are .40 thick which I feel is perfect. I had to settle for some that are powder coated white. I will scuff them down and prime them eventually. Seven sheets at $45 a sheet.
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Cousin Mike using a special blade to make cuts on aluminum sheets.

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[Tomkat]

Is that bench going to stand up to abuse? It looks like a couple of well built men might squash it.

Sent from my phone.

Yes because the supports under it are on two foot centers. If it can hold me, GKR, and Brandy, it can hold anything. They seem pretty sturdy to sit on so far.

[Tomkat]

That gonna be the height of the roof/overhang? Looks pretty tall, not very low profile.

I sat GKR down and added 5 inches to the top of his head. He is 6'2" tall. Profile schmofile, we will kill ducks. Come along and see how its done.

[Tomkat]

So the seat Olly was asking about has some piano hinges on it so we can store a good sized spread that will live in the boat.

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[Tomkat]

Now for the hard part. Attaching the sheets of alluminium takes patience. We used some good metal screws GKR came up with.

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The front panel is where Brandy will sit so she can mark birds and remain hidden.

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GKR and Mike making a cardboard template

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[Tomkat]

When I bought the boat from John O'Neil it had a 2 part blind on it. I used the shooting side blind for this project. We attached metal to it, including the flip down door. It is going to be nice and warm in there!

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I brought it home today, blind did great on the ride home. It is waiting for me to continue my work on it.

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[AKPirate]

Looking good TK

[rebelp74]

Nice! You may end up having a problem with the screws backing out, breaking or stripping out the holes or threads after they take a season or so worth if boat rides. May want to drill through and just bolt it with some castellated nuts so you don't have to worry with it.

[Tomkat]

I am using rivets to hold it all together. I just screwed it together to bring it home.

[Tomkat]

I am using rivets to hold it all together. I just screwed it together to bring it home.

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[rebelp74]

Gotcha

[Tomkat]

I had Brandy practicing today. This spot was built for her.

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[MuddyWaterWarlock]

What size is that boat TK?

[Olly]

Tom I actually dig the solid blind. I mean it's definitely going to be a bitch to drive in any kind of real wind but I bet it's warm as can be once you get it setup.

Sent from my phone.

[Tomkat]

Well I will pick my days to hunt. Its nice living 25 minutes away from two corp of engineer lakes. It pulled down the road pretty good.

My cousin has an idea for a shelf to set our blind bags and shells (and g may coffee).

Olly the best part of the hard skin is going to keeping warm air inside. I will have a couple of sunflower heaters installed to run off a 20 lb propane bottle. Jarbo donated a percolating coffee pot. Its all coming together.

I did some riveting tonight.

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[Redbeard]

For what...his coca cola?

[Tomkat]

How're you gonna camo that monstrosity TK?

I will attach mesh fencing to it. Then zip tie grass mats to it, followed by local vegetation.

[Redbeard]

Are there trees around your pond where you'll try and blend in?

[assateague]

As many trees as there are in the middle of Lake Michigan.

[Redbeard]

So suddenly a giant bush appears outta no where like Space Odyessy and the ducks flock to it like the salmon of capistrano?...Ok

[assateague]

Exactly. They're ducks. Don't give them too much credit.

[Tomkat]

Are there trees around your pond where you'll try and blend in?

I got it covered Red. Why dont you see if The Nighthawk can teach you how to divide fractions?

Olly, I am happy to say that Jehler has been a very good consultant on this project. In fact, several WFF members, but not Redbeard, have lent advice, tools, materials, etc.

There is a lot of hands on know how on this site.

[Redbeard]

Are there trees around your pond where you'll try and blend in?

I got it covered Red. Why dont you see if The Nighthawk can teach you how to divide fractions?

Olly, I am happy to say that Jehler has been a very good consultant on this project. In fact, several WFF members, but not Redbeard, have lent advice, tools, materials, etc.

There is a lot of hands on know how on this site.

come on man. I was gonna send you some vegetation from Humboldt. I've got some great ideas I picked up on waterfowltalk.com

[Tomkat]

No pics of my boat on there?

[jarbo03]

So suddenly a giant bush appears outta no where like Space Odyessy and the ducks flock to it like the salmon of capistrano?...Ok

LOL'ing, if that's possible

[NuffDaddy]

So suddenly a giant bush appears outta no where like Space Odyessy and the ducks flock to it like the salmon of capistrano?...Ok

Had 3 geese land in the decoys and close to 100 ducks come circling within 30 yards of my boat yesterday.

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[Redbeard]

Apparently it works. What do I know

[The Duck Hammer]

Are there trees around your pond where you'll try and blend in?

I got it covered Red. Why dont you see if The Nighthawk can teach you how to divide fractions?

Olly, I am happy to say that Jehler has been a very good consultant on this project. In fact, several WFF members, but not Redbeard, have lent advice, tools, materials, etc.

There is a lot of hands on know how on this site.

come on man. I was gonna send you some vegetation from Humboldt. I've got some great ideas I picked up on waterfowltalk.com

Nothing good could come from over there. Worst forum on the interweb IMO.


Sent from my Vox Mortem

[Flightstopper]

So suddenly a giant bush appears outta no where like Space Odyessy and the ducks flock to it like the salmon of capistrano?...Ok

LOL'ing, if that's possible

Not remotely possible apparently!