New Ride For My Yaks- Rod Box Mounted

[preacher]

I guess I'm getting old. Tired of lifting the ole Bumble Bee to the top tier of the trailer so I got me an old "gimme" boat trailer and went after it with a cutting torch. I will post pictures later but this is my design . . . so far. Highest lift should be about 14" to 18". 8' lockable rod box is aout 36 inches above the ground and between the boats. 2 boats only this go round. Tackle boxes, yak carts, life jackets go in the back of the truck under the turtle shell.



Got my 1" square tubing ordered and on the way. Rod box will be a good grade ply.

[preacher]

Talk about rough, this one was trashed. But, Doctor Hambone had a plan
Before


Extra metal and wood stripped off and new frame started



That's all the welding . . . no more metal work. Now the 1'X1'X8' rod box has to be constructed and mounted on the 3 uprights. Wood deck has to be mounted and then carpet laid. One side will be set up with forms to hold the "V" bottom Cape Fear. This is really going to be sweet loading boats on a knee high trailer

Of course a zillion lights with a new wiring harness and the frame will have a special coating similar to powder coating. I will be sand blasting it Friday. New wheels (12") on Friday also.

[jem]

Do you deliver?

[preacher]

Do you deliver?

Better than Dominoes Pizza

[preacher]

Well, 50# of abrasive blasting and all the rust is gone. Got the frame coated with "POR 415" coating (which I also used on the dune buggy pan) and this puppy is ready for decking. May start that today.



Shopped everywhere local trying to buy 12" wheels but they have doubled in price since I bought some 2 years ago. Found some on the net for $39.95 and will order them this weekend.
So far I can lift this trailer (even at my age) and I'm estimating the weight at 250# - 300#. All the decking, carpet and rod box shouldn't add more than 50# more and I'm happy with that.

[preacher]

Got the new 12" wheels on and the spring shackles extended to raise the trailer for clearance.




Started installing the 5/16" cedar decking. First 2 (center) rows scarfed, glued together and screwed in place. A couple of cedar planks are laying in the rod box rack to give a visual idea of what is to be.






Should be able to get the deck installed tomorrow, then I can sand it and apply varnish.

[preacher]

Decking is done and carpet glued down.


Wiring harness has been installed, tail lights installed (decided against the $70.00 LED) and side markers installed.


Now I'm building the rod box. I'm thinking it will hold a total of 6 and up to 8 rods and reels.

Next I have to construct the frames to match the "V" hull of the Cape Fear SOT and mount them to the trailer.

Leaving Monday for Galveston Bay (Texas) for 7 days of R&R. Got to get this puppy ready.

[preacher]

Running out of time . . . Got the box together and some varnish on everything except the door, but gotta get it mounted so I can leave Monday morning.

So far rod racks to hold 4 7' rods securely. (These pictures have the rod box on it's backside. The door ends up facing out to the driver's side of the trialer.




Door side.

Back side.

I can finish the rod box later when the weather is more compatible to an OLD man. Right now it works to get me to the fishing hole.

[preacher]

Few more pics with some rods in the racks and the lock system.






Only 3 rods in right now but the racks hold 4 total. Can probably get some loose surf rods in also.

Tomorrow I mount the spare, the safety chain and the license plate. OOPS! And the Cape Fear and the Bumble Bee.

[Oldsparkey]

Could paddles be placed in there with the rods , paddles are normally a pain to fit inside the vehicle.

Chuck.