Sink or Swim: I Built My Own Floating Hide (and Saved a Fortune)

Описание: I’ve been eyeing floating hides for quite some time. If you’ve looked into them, you know the struggle: the moment you add "photography" or "specialized" to a piece of gear, the price tag seems to double for no apparent reason. Some of the options online are priced so high it’s enough to make you want to stay on dry land.

But for me, the lure of getting eye-level with wildlife is too strong. With the mating season of the Great Crested Grebes fast approaching, I decided enough was enough. Instead of emptying my bank account, I’m spending the next two to three days in the workshop building my own.

The Goal
The mission is simple: create a stable, buoyant, and camouflaged platform that allows me to get those intimate, low-angle shots without breaking the bank. I’ve given myself a week to finish the build before its maiden voyage.

The Budget Breakdown
I headed to the hardware store and did some online hunting. Here is exactly what went into the "bill of materials" for this DIY project

Item Description
• Pine timber Board £16.00
• 2 x FloPlast Push-Fit Double Socket Underground Pipe Coupling 110mm - £15.38
• 2 x FloPlast Push-Fit Plain-End Underground Drainage Pipe 110mm x 3m - £30.38
• 2 x FloPlast Push-Fit 87.5° Double Socket Bend 110mm - £22.76
• 2 x FloPlast Underground Socket Plug 110mm - £10.78
• 1 x No Nonsense Expanding Foam Hand-Held 750ml - £6.25
• Roof and gutter sealant £13.00
• Mix selection 8mm Nuts & Bolts from BQ £6.00
• Rust-oleum Spray Paint Brown Hammered Finish £16.00
• Camouflage Netting Amazon £8.99
• Tent Tarp Poles £24.99
• Velcro £6.00
• Neewer Ballhead £25.99
• Smallrig Transmount Quick Release Adapter £30.00

The Build Plan

The core of the hide relies on the FloPlast drainage pipes. These will act as the "pontoons" for the craft. By using expanding foam and socket plugs, I can ensure they are completely watertight and offer maximum buoyancy.
The pine board will serve as the main deck, which I'll treat with the brown hammered finish to protect it from the elements. To keep the profile low and the birds calm, the tent poles and camouflage netting will create a lightweight "tent" over the top.

Pro-Tip: Using a quick-release adapter (like the Smallrig) on a floating hide is a game-changer. It allows you to quickly mount or dismount your camera if you need to move fast or pack up in a hurry.

Looking Ahead

I’m most excited about the perspective this will give me. Being at water level changes the entire look of a photograph—it turns a "snapshot" into an intimate portrait. I can’t wait to see those Grebes through the lens from just inches above the waterline.

Stay tuned for the results of the maiden voyage!