well, after the foam filled float fabrication failure (phewww) I decided to try one of the body board floats ourlined on Fuzz's link (Norcalfreedive.net ?). I actually have a bluewater model that is made from a kneeboard. The hard plastic thing that's pulled behind a ski boat. I haven't had to drop me gun w/ that float and it's kind of a drag, litterally, w/ 100' of line. That dissuaded me from attempting the in-shore model but I finnally gave it a try.
Anyway I grabbed a $13 hard bottom body board from wal-mart(quick slick brand). Flipped the tether/leash attachment upside down and used nylon ties to attach a motorcycle bungie net. I elected to skip the back back straps b/c I wanted the lowest resistance.
I also placed a plasitc square on the top to increase the surface area on which the tether would pull. I drilled a hole in this square and inserted a fiberglass dive flag pole as well as three nylon lines for tie-offs and longline clip attachments.
So the bottom has nothing. The nylon ties go through the top and out the sides, and the 8"x5" plastic square has 5 holes (Tether, flag, 3 ties).
Tried it today and it was perfect. Much less drag than my little 5" boat fender. Felt like it wasn't there. Got pulled under by waves and didn't pull the tether out-ergo a fish could pull it under and you still might get your gear back. Greater visability w/ a 2' dive flag pole. Good for carrying gear to the dive location, and I rode waves in to shore. Also swam much faster on the little board when covering barren bottom. Lastly made a great platform for storing all the quality fishing tackle and gear (.357 ss powerhead on this trip) that you find while diving.
Anyway I grabbed a $13 hard bottom body board from wal-mart(quick slick brand). Flipped the tether/leash attachment upside down and used nylon ties to attach a motorcycle bungie net. I elected to skip the back back straps b/c I wanted the lowest resistance.
I also placed a plasitc square on the top to increase the surface area on which the tether would pull. I drilled a hole in this square and inserted a fiberglass dive flag pole as well as three nylon lines for tie-offs and longline clip attachments.
So the bottom has nothing. The nylon ties go through the top and out the sides, and the 8"x5" plastic square has 5 holes (Tether, flag, 3 ties).
Tried it today and it was perfect. Much less drag than my little 5" boat fender. Felt like it wasn't there. Got pulled under by waves and didn't pull the tether out-ergo a fish could pull it under and you still might get your gear back. Greater visability w/ a 2' dive flag pole. Good for carrying gear to the dive location, and I rode waves in to shore. Also swam much faster on the little board when covering barren bottom. Lastly made a great platform for storing all the quality fishing tackle and gear (.357 ss powerhead on this trip) that you find while diving.
