Boat Blind Mounting -Need Help

Yingpin · Dec 20, 2021

So this is the first year of hunting out of the boat and using a boat blind. It creates challenges for sure especially out in deeper (6ft) water where our lotto site is. I have a 1648 Alumacraft boat and the Avery Quick Set Boat blind. This all came as a package deal from the lease we lost last year and I bought the boat so I can get out and hunt/fish with my boys.

It came with just the blind frame so I purchased the Avery wind blocker and the Shadow Grass Avery camo net for the blind. Used this for the first two hunts and felt like we were sticking out like a sore thumb. Kind of silly because we are in the middle of the cove with land 60 yards away so it sticks out either way.

I wanted to add some grass so I made some brush panels using plastic construction fence but this added a lot of weight and the drag when deployed while slowly moving to pick up a bird the dog didn't see or a runaway decoy. The extra weight & drag caused the mounts to pull free from the seats.

Each of the 4 mounts has 6 holes for self taping screws. They screw into the aluminum seat but it is so thin and there is only Styrofoam underneath. No access to add backing or anything.

Can you weld these metal mounts to the aluminum seat? Anyone have solutions?

Yingpin · Dec 20, 2021

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TI-tick · Dec 20, 2021

Rivets?

BUffaloSocks · Dec 20, 2021

Would need someone who can TIG weld for aluminum, but that would work. The seats are 100% fixed where you couldnt get under them, remove the foam, put a bolt through and re-assumble?

Yingpin · Dec 20, 2021

BUffaloSocks said:
Would need someone who can TIG weld for aluminum, but that would work. The seats are 100% fixed where you couldnt get under them, remove the foam, put a bolt through and re-assumble?

Thats correct, they bench seats are all riveted into place with no access points under without cutting an access panel to add backing. Thats an alternative but not ideal. My thoughts were to make those lower mounting brackets permanent and then ad a D-Ring or some quick disconnect at that base of the mount and frame of the blind. I would remove the rusty nut and bolt to do that. Or just continue to use the nut and bolt during waterfowl season and remove every season. It is only 4 bolts and once I get the rusted ones off, it shouldnt be too bad to remove them annually and reinstall.

Yingpin · Dec 20, 2021

TI-tick said:
Rivets?

For some reason I did not think of this. I have never used a rivet or rivet tool (gun) to attach anything. Are they pretty solid? That would allow for the same thing.

ToBeFree · Dec 20, 2021

some of these should do the trick.

Get some steel plate and attach to the seat and then mount the poles to that in whatever fashion you want.
Spread out the load some.

TI-tick · Dec 20, 2021

Yingpin said:
For some reason I did not think of this. I have never used a rivet or rivet tool (gun) to attach anything. Are they pretty solid? That would allow for the same thing.

IDK about the size of your holes and available rivet sizes but rivets worked for me on a similar issue. Screws failed and no access. Then again those wall anchor things that someone else posted may work and cheaper.

gtodave · Dec 20, 2021

If you weld to that it will melt (and probably catch fire) to the foam insulation below it. Use some of the anchor bolts like above. Also, remember to "set" the bolts with marine grade caulk so that water doesn't seep in the holes. Wet insulation adds a lot of weight.

BUffaloSocks · Dec 21, 2021

Good call on the catching fire! Bet the OP isn't into that.

If you want to try rivets but dont want to buy a gun you can borrow one of mine. I am out near Mt Airy/Frederick though which might be a trek for you.

JWBanshee · Dec 21, 2021

Threaded in serts, like a rivet with threads for a bolt, aluminum or SS, theu work like a charm

Overwatcher · Dec 22, 2021

Look at threaded insert fittings if you want to be able to remove and reinstall the blind.

boothdoc · Dec 22, 2021

Rivnut/threaded inserts would be perfect. Removable and sturdy

boothdoc · Dec 22, 2021

https://youtu.be/FJ4gF2tXRBE

Many places sell these tools

Yingpin · Dec 22, 2021

I should have checked back on this! Just like I didn't think about rivets, I should have enough about the threaded inserts!

I actually went and picked up a Rivet gun and some SS rivets that were actually a perfect fit. Although they are not removeable, I put 4 of 6 in on one side and it feels really solid.

My goal would be to remove the lower bolt and make that a quick disconnect and keep the mounts in place on the boat year round. This way we can tear clothes, sit on them and feel the pain, bend them up.

I will keep you posted but I appreciate the offers and the ideas!

TI-tick · Dec 22, 2021

With a drill rivets are removable.

steves1911 · Dec 22, 2021

Rivnuts work good for this. If you install a seat swivel you can rivnut that to the bench seat then you should be able to thread screws into the seat insert. The rivnuts held on my jon boat for a decade and are probably still going strong.

rxcrider · Dec 30, 2021

Rivnuts are the way to go. You can buy a decent kit off Amazon. I use a Beavertail Blind and did not like the way the front cross member held onto the boat. I added the rivnut and a 5/16 bolt, now the blind is super solid.

Boat Blind Mounting -Need Help

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