My boogie board float

[cheezwedge]

This is my first attempt at making a float, mostly only for storing extra gear and holding a fish bag, as well as a couple other things that you will see in the following pictures. Many of the ideas I got were straight off of these forums, so thanks to everyone else who posted their own version of this. Any constructive criticism would be appreciated. The main use will be while hunting off shore, no deeper than 40 feet and mostly in kelp. Many of the ideas for this design came from things that I felt could have made things much easier the last time I went out.

Picture #
1. All of the materials were about $60 total. The boogie board was $4 used.
2. Materials consisted of laundry bags, fish bag, 8 LB mushroom anchor (might be a little too heavy), zip ties, plastic cleats, various clips, 550 cord (or parachute cord, 550 LB test), dive flag, foldable tent pole, boogie board, backpack straps, 5 min epoxy, and various tools.
3. Backpack straps installed with a screwdriver.
4. Two sections from a tent pole are being used as a flag pole. I cut part of the fiberglass piece of the third pole so I could tie a knot and it would be inside the base metal piece.
5. Smaller laundry bag installed (possibly for other spear tips, water bottle, camera and other random stuff that I decide to bring along), anchor hole and cleats for anchor line installed.

[cheezwedge]

Continued:

Picture#
1. Larger gear bag installed, held in place at top by a clip connecting to a zip tie, and held against the board by a couple bungees which can be used to hold other things once disconnected from each other.
2. Underside with anchor held in place with bungees.
3. Topside showing how anchor will be held while transporting.
4. Not complete but still works.
5. Anchor line around the cleats and through the anchor hole.

[cheezwedge]

Picture#

1. Basically a shot of what it should look like while floating. Fish bag secured underneath, anchor keeping the float in place where ever I decide to drop it (preferably near a good hunting spot). The clips attached to the bungees can be used to hold other gear if adjustments or repairs are needed. I was thinking I could possibly throw my weight belt up on top or clip it to the side if I need to change out weight or make other adjustments.
2. Here is what the float/backpack should look like with all of the gear attached and ready to go mobile. I already noticed that I like the fish bag more as a gear bag, because it doesn't sag down with weight since it has the solid metal opening/handle at the top. I might replace the laundry bag with the fish bag for holding gear.
3. Top view of what the board will look like while floating (main gear bag is removed and left on shore)


So far I have only been able to test this thing in shallow water with a sandy bottom. An observation I made was that the mushroom anchor I chose holds very well in sand. I should be able to give this thing a full field test tomorrow if I decide to go out hunting.

[ILDiver]

Nice work! It looks great.

[cmburch]

Looks good. I use the leash on my boogie board to tie off to kelp. I have a small lead weight maybe 3lbs attached to a yellow line that floats for an anchor. It is mainly used as a marker - to mark my spot, so I can return to the same location. 8lbs sounds massive. There are also smaller collapsible anchors that Walmart/West Marine sells for kayaks and small boats. My older boogie board had problems in soaking up water in the inner foam, so I tried to seal holes with silicon sealant. I also used large SS or Al washers to back-up any cleats/hardware so it will not pull out over time. So where your goodie bag is hanging, I have a large 3"x2" retangular aluminum washer on the board also connected to the leash. My goodie bag is attached where the leash is and I need to secure the bottom like yours because it flops to the side when kicking in with a load of abalone. I also carry a stringer in my bag for fish. Thanks for the pictures and ideas. I will try to add shoulder straps to mine.