This year I decided to beat the winter blues by building myself a new float. Took loads of ideas off these forums and off spearboard, so thanks all, esp Diabolo Loco off spearboard whose design I based mine around...
The idea was to build something like a Sevylor Dive Hunter. I wanted it big enough that it would be a navigation hazard for JET SKIS and small boats, wanted to be able to stash shellfish and fish on the top of the board, carry a couple of guns, and some bits and bobs out with me. Also a pretty snag free bottom for moving through weed beds. Didn't need it to be inflatable as I have a travel float for that. This is strictly for local shore dives. I wanted something I could get my body on to make long surface swims quicker as well, esp when going against a current. I thought I would save money on a dive hunter, but in the end all the SS fixings were so pricey so I reckon it worked out about the same. I called it the 'cash burglar' in honour of the escalating costs! (Sorry Fearthespear!)
1. So here's the board unloaded. The booger was the cheapest closed cell board I could find. Closed cell to prevent water ingress, and more durable than polystyrene. All fixings are nylon kayak eyelets with SS washers and bolts, sealed with spongerez (neoprene glue). Backpack straps attached to bodyboard leash plugs threaded with PVC coated dyneema. The red net is a motorcycle cargo net. Bungee holding a standard divers goody bag in place. Flag holder is off a rubber dinghy - bought from a chandlers and fixed on with spongerez. Stringer is an Omer big fish, chopped the rear loop off, drilled it and bolted it to the board. Forward gun straps are 'cool clasps' (do a google search) fixed with SS webbing fasteners:
2. Underside of the board. Removeable straps poached from an old dive bag. Fixed to the board with 4 bodyboard leash plugs (reversed) and threaded with dyneema that I threaded through some pvc tubing to make it more durable and less likely to snag. You see all the bolts are flush - they are SS sleeve nuts, used to fix boat windows.
3. I added an Imersion line winder (the underfloat type) - attaches to the board with bungees and clips so it can be removed whenver needed. Also a kayak deck bag, chosen because it's waterproof and has an internal daisy chain for fixing gear to so it doesn't spill out when you open it at sea. Again fixed with bungees and clips so it can be removed when not needed.
4. Swiped some old foldable elastic threaded tent pole and attached some dive flags to them. They just puch into the holder and secure with bungee clip (not added yet). Flag folds down /removes for transport.
5. Finally a shot of it all loaded up for a dive. Now I just need to wait for winter to end...
Also made a belt stringer. Fixed to a pinch clip for quick release, and point stored in so old band rubber cable tied to the pinch clip. Mono threded through PVC tubing (to stop the mono tearing through the gills of delicate fish like bass / mullet) sealed with silicone and heatshink:
Hope you like - I realise how geeky this is. My wife has not stopped laughing at me since I started typing this bloody essay. I KNOW I am a loser!! L
The idea was to build something like a Sevylor Dive Hunter. I wanted it big enough that it would be a navigation hazard for JET SKIS and small boats, wanted to be able to stash shellfish and fish on the top of the board, carry a couple of guns, and some bits and bobs out with me. Also a pretty snag free bottom for moving through weed beds. Didn't need it to be inflatable as I have a travel float for that. This is strictly for local shore dives. I wanted something I could get my body on to make long surface swims quicker as well, esp when going against a current. I thought I would save money on a dive hunter, but in the end all the SS fixings were so pricey so I reckon it worked out about the same. I called it the 'cash burglar' in honour of the escalating costs! (Sorry Fearthespear!)
1. So here's the board unloaded. The booger was the cheapest closed cell board I could find. Closed cell to prevent water ingress, and more durable than polystyrene. All fixings are nylon kayak eyelets with SS washers and bolts, sealed with spongerez (neoprene glue). Backpack straps attached to bodyboard leash plugs threaded with PVC coated dyneema. The red net is a motorcycle cargo net. Bungee holding a standard divers goody bag in place. Flag holder is off a rubber dinghy - bought from a chandlers and fixed on with spongerez. Stringer is an Omer big fish, chopped the rear loop off, drilled it and bolted it to the board. Forward gun straps are 'cool clasps' (do a google search) fixed with SS webbing fasteners:
2. Underside of the board. Removeable straps poached from an old dive bag. Fixed to the board with 4 bodyboard leash plugs (reversed) and threaded with dyneema that I threaded through some pvc tubing to make it more durable and less likely to snag. You see all the bolts are flush - they are SS sleeve nuts, used to fix boat windows.
3. I added an Imersion line winder (the underfloat type) - attaches to the board with bungees and clips so it can be removed whenver needed. Also a kayak deck bag, chosen because it's waterproof and has an internal daisy chain for fixing gear to so it doesn't spill out when you open it at sea. Again fixed with bungees and clips so it can be removed when not needed.
4. Swiped some old foldable elastic threaded tent pole and attached some dive flags to them. They just puch into the holder and secure with bungee clip (not added yet). Flag folds down /removes for transport.
5. Finally a shot of it all loaded up for a dive. Now I just need to wait for winter to end...
Also made a belt stringer. Fixed to a pinch clip for quick release, and point stored in so old band rubber cable tied to the pinch clip. Mono threded through PVC tubing (to stop the mono tearing through the gills of delicate fish like bass / mullet) sealed with silicone and heatshink:
Hope you like - I realise how geeky this is. My wife has not stopped laughing at me since I started typing this bloody essay. I KNOW I am a loser!! L
