Joe's Condo build - 8x8 oversized blind

[Dusty Britches]

I'm working on a new blind, too, and it will be insulated for sound as well. 6' x 6' and 7' height on top of a 3' high platform. I like the fold down cot you have. I'm also going to add a portable A/C and switch it out for a heater in the cold months.

[kmack]

Because I can't leave well-enough alone...and I needed to show an update!

A couple weeks ago, I started adding on. On the backside (facing mostly East) I started working on the open porch sitting area idea.

Pics or it didn't happen, right?





Also added on some solar-powered rope lights for a little "ambience" at night. I found them in the back of one the storage cubbies in our motorhome and they probably won't last, so no lost money on those! They look substantially brighter in the picture than they do in real life, barely even cast a shadow at night.



Water tank is at the blind now and waiting on the gutter system to be installed. Hopefully within the next few weeks.

[kmack]

Another update...

4" gutter is installed. Used a section of 4" sewer line and cut a run thru it so that it could slip onto the end of the roof metal. Metal hanging strap material is holding it in place. Added a cap on one end, and a spout connection with expandable gutter hose for the other end going into the water tank.

Also decked out the floor so that it's all even and clean looking. Used some primed/painted 3/8" OSB siding material. If I get a couple years out of it, I'll be happy!

All total for this past weekend's work adds an additional $90 for the decking and gutter connections.

[kmack]

Also picked up a portable propane camping water heater for an outdoor shower setup, to be fed by the water tank. Same as this one here...

https://camplux.com/products/camplux-pro-portable-water-heater

Bought it off an online auction site (Mac.bid) for $65. It was brand new but an "open-box". But everything was there that should be there.


I ran some numbers today just to see where I'm at with this build. The current total is right at $640, with most of that being "luxury" items that I've picked up over the last year.
If I look at just the costs for the blind itself, it's right at $300.

[Sasqy]

Dang !!
You def got it going on.
Thanks for sharing.

[kmack]

One of the original inspirations for some of the things I've thought about or looked into adding for this blind setup, have come from this old thread...

https://www.texasbowhunter.com/discussions/forums/forum/topics/d-i-y-projects/435929-my-mini-hunting-lodge

I remember reading thru this years ago and thinking that this is one of the coolest setups I've ever seen!

SwampRabbit, if you ever run across this post, thanks for all the ideas!

[kmack]

As of this past weekend I'm mostly finished on the outdoor shower, just need to make-up the hoses that run from the water tank to the pump to the water heater. I didn't have all the fittings I need.
The shower area is also going to make a decent "outdoor potty" area, that will mostly be used by my daughter when she hunts this blind.





The tall pallet makes a decent front wall, as that side of the blind actually faces the road to the front gate of the property (about 150 yds away). But you can only see the upper left corner of the blind from the road.



I also got the 1,500W power inverter installed and hooked up. Coffee maker worked great and I was even able to run a vacuum inside the blind to help clean up some of my mess. The vacuum barely even kicked on the inverter fans!

Still have room for a little tweaking here and there, but I'm pretty much done with all the upgrades for this season.

[Silvey]

What a great blind and write up. Hope to do something like this one day.

[Sevenliter66]

nice build. dig the size. my gc rode the same with a load. i put rear shocks with springs on it. man what a difference. i even installed them on my gc at the lease.

[kmack]

Just a quick little video update. Kind of a short walk-thru of the blind.

Also, some things to note:
- little bit of rain over the last couple weeks has yielded about 20-30 gallons of water so far.
- I have connections under the porch area for hanging a hammock. I had a really great nap there this past Saturday afternoon, in between hunts.

[Stuck]

Might I suggest a hot tub? Not missing anything else.

[kmack]

LoL! 🤣
I don’t have a kitchen sink yet!

[Rangerreese]

Nice job