I've been contemplating how to hide my kayak when the time comes for duck hunting next year. I have a Lifetime Yukon 116. Its 11ft 6In long, 32In wide, and 78lb with a 350lb weight limit. Ill be throwing the kayak onto my roof rack when done each time, since I don't have a trailer or hitch right now. Anything that goes on or in the kayak will have to be removed each time, and be easy to stash away when under way or done for the day.
I've looked at the premade blinds with the doors, and they are cool, but I'm not entirely sold on adding one to my yak. Mostly because they are build for 12ft kayaks and mine is a 11ft6in, and I'm not sold on them being easy to stash away easily when grassed either, as well as the price tag.
So this is what I'm looking at creating, but I'm not really a sewing person, so I'm looking for some input from people who are more experienced in DIY layout blinds and sewing. I'm thinking for the fabric i could use a cordura fabric but I'm open to options.
The doors will have a thin foam inside, to give it a little bit of rigidity. that will be sewn entirely, with a few inches of excess of bare fabric with edging, for the flap. Grommets can be punched into the flap, with an extra layer of reinforcement. Those grommets can be attached to tie downs on the kayak. A single row of molle panel on the door, to allow for vegetation attachment.
The bow cover will be an egg shape with 4 grommets and 2 rows of molle on it. the grommets in the rear of the bow cover can be affixed to the grommets/tie down for the doors. the grommets on the front can be affixed to the kayak handle on the bow.
I have a camera mount on the bow of the kayak, which i could place a small pvc pole, to give the doors something to rest on in the front and open it up a little, if needed.
I haven't done any measuring yet, but i would imagine the door without the flap would be around 4ft long, and 24 inches wide. the doors could have a stitch down the center, allowing it to fold in half for storage, allowing it to be around 2ft square when folded up. that should fit nicely in the back on the bottom under my decoy bag on my way in and out, and take like 5 minutes to set up. I'm not concerned with the back of the kayak, since it will be different sizes when i have a full or empty decoy bag and gear. I plan on just using some burlap on that.
I've looked at the premade blinds with the doors, and they are cool, but I'm not entirely sold on adding one to my yak. Mostly because they are build for 12ft kayaks and mine is a 11ft6in, and I'm not sold on them being easy to stash away easily when grassed either, as well as the price tag.
So this is what I'm looking at creating, but I'm not really a sewing person, so I'm looking for some input from people who are more experienced in DIY layout blinds and sewing. I'm thinking for the fabric i could use a cordura fabric but I'm open to options.
The doors will have a thin foam inside, to give it a little bit of rigidity. that will be sewn entirely, with a few inches of excess of bare fabric with edging, for the flap. Grommets can be punched into the flap, with an extra layer of reinforcement. Those grommets can be attached to tie downs on the kayak. A single row of molle panel on the door, to allow for vegetation attachment.
The bow cover will be an egg shape with 4 grommets and 2 rows of molle on it. the grommets in the rear of the bow cover can be affixed to the grommets/tie down for the doors. the grommets on the front can be affixed to the kayak handle on the bow.
I have a camera mount on the bow of the kayak, which i could place a small pvc pole, to give the doors something to rest on in the front and open it up a little, if needed.
I haven't done any measuring yet, but i would imagine the door without the flap would be around 4ft long, and 24 inches wide. the doors could have a stitch down the center, allowing it to fold in half for storage, allowing it to be around 2ft square when folded up. that should fit nicely in the back on the bottom under my decoy bag on my way in and out, and take like 5 minutes to set up. I'm not concerned with the back of the kayak, since it will be different sizes when i have a full or empty decoy bag and gear. I plan on just using some burlap on that.