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I'm looking for ideas to transform the storage area behind the seat of my ODC 420 into an area that I can stow my tackle bag while fishing. Currently it is too wet and soaks all of the tackle in the bag. I am thinking of cutting a piece of two inch thick styrofoam to line the bottom with and raise the level at which the stowed equipment will ride in the compartment. I want to be careful not to fill the space so completely that my pump and misc. equipment will roll out. Are there better ideas to accomplish my needs? Thanks.
Steve
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[cool][#0000ff]As you have discovered, those spaces behind the seats are not intended to be dry storage. So, you either need to get a dry storage bag wherever they sell camping and rafting gear...or use a plastic container of some kind.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a couple of pics from the past.[/#0000ff]
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Hi, TD. Where do you place your tube AFTER you remove it from the water for transportation? Do you let it sit for awhile to drain out water trapped inside the seat foam? Otherwise the inside of your vehicle will get wet and maybe muddy. Unless you use a pickup bed or lash to the top of your vehicle?
Thanks,
Pon
[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]As you have discovered, those spaces behind the seats are not intended to be dry storage. So, you either need to get a dry storage bag wherever they sell camping and rafting gear...or use a plastic container of some kind.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are a couple of pics from the past.[/#0000ff][/quote]
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From personal experience, I would try to find a rubbermaid thing of sorts. I have yet to find a dry bag that actually still keeps things dry while being submerged in water all day.
I am sure they are out there, but also sure they would be more money than the container.
I bought a very expensive one to keep my foot dry when I broke it. A nice 12" x 3 foot and it was perfect, but, foot got wet. Seams.
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[cool][#0000ff]I often prop up my Fat Cat first on the nose and next on the end of the "pontoons". That drains off most of the surplus lake liquid.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]But, I also have a special rubber liner in the rear portion of my Jimmy. They sell them in a lot of places and it catches any additional drainage. It also catches all of the sand and dirt that scrapes off and is easy to remove for cleaning. Saves on the rear carpeting for sure.[/#0000ff]
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I just use the same as the pictures above.
When I'm done, I lay the tube in my truck windshield nose down to drain most of the water. I leave it there and take everything else appart (waders, rods, etc.).
I have a tarp in the back of my small explorer so I don't worry about water messing everything up. An old towel will soak what's left.
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I have used the "space bags" (vacuum bags) with good luck so far. They are fairly light and don't take up a huge amount of space.
I am fairly careful with them so as not to puncture or scrape them up. I don't vacuum seal them I just use them to keep a jacket and a few other things dry. If I had bulkier or sharper items, I would go with the buckets that have been suggested.
There are also some 2 or 3 gallon sized ziplocks that might work.
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I have gone the plastic tub route with mixed results. I've previously stiffened the back of my seat by adding a sheet of plexiglass. With a tall tub in the compartment the seat will not lean back far enough to allow a comfortable ride. When I cut the sides of the tub down it worked better but still created another "thing" to deal with to and from the lake shore as well as the fact it doesn't fit the space very well. I've considered keeping the tackle bag on my lap with the strap around my neck, but don't find that particularly comfortable either.
I thought maybe a 2" styrofoam "floor" in the compartment might raise the bag above the water line and allow any "splash" to roll off and drain. I don't want the "floor" to lift the bag and misc. equipment (primarily my pump) high enough that they could roll out into the lake! Another idea I've had is to tape a water proof tarp to the compartment sides forming a semi-permanent liner which would separate the equipment from any water below it. The obvious downside to this idea is the liner would hold any splash as well.
Frankly, I'm surprised that one of the tube companies hasn't manufactured a triangular shaped tub with 6" to 8" sides that would fill this space and need!
Any further ideas are welcome!
Steve
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There is one made specially for the back of a SFC, but it comes at a price.
http://www.outcastboats.com/outcast/prod...t=11&id=38
I am liking cpierce's idea....those vacuum bags are waterproof. Prop it upright and don't seal it shut.
I use to use a plastic ammo box with an air tight lid. Easy enough to stow and reach behind and grab what I needed from it.
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[quote flygoddess]There is one made specially for the back of a SFC, but it comes at a price.[/quote]
I have one of those I bought for my FatCat. It's waterproof and insulated. In the summer it was great to fill it with ice and cold bottled water and sandwiches. Plus it has a small zipper on the top that lets you reach in and grab something without unzipping the top. Has D-rings to attach it securely too.
Very nice little bag, highly recommended. I think it's worth it as an insulated cooler bag, maybe not so worth it just for dry storage, since there are many cheaper solutions if all you want to do is keep stuff dry.
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How about a small lunch box cooler (large size) should fit. Has a plastiv tub in it and zips shut.
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Good point Albino, but the one I posted is made to fit. Kind of a triangle with the top cut off.
Heck, you guys have proven, you can make ANYthing work....[laugh]
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I've tried that. It works perfect except that the outside pockets are not waterproof. Well maybe mine isn't.
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[quote flygoddess]Heck, you guys have proven, you can make ANYthing work....[laugh][/quote]
[cool][cool][cool][cool]
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If the bags or buckets are stored behind you, do you have access while out in the middle of the lake? Seems like it would be hard to reach into a bag or bucket directly behind you unless you have a lot of flex in your spine. Unless you just grab the whole thing, lift out and place in your lap to get to what you want.
Right now the 420 will be wifes traveling float tube and am trying to figure a way to boost the seat height so she will not get water splashed into the seat area. She's a lot lighter than I am so it wouldn't take much to keep her trunk high and dry. Any ideas appreciated.
Pon
[quote flygoddess]Good point Albino, but the one I posted is made to fit. Kind of a triangle with the top cut off.
Heck, you guys have proven, you can make ANYthing work....[laugh][/quote]
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I guess I don't have a problem turning around to get things out. I do have a messed up back and I am limited how far I can turn, but my bum can turn as well. My whole body.
If I could train Baxter to get what I need, I would have it made...LOL
Did I mention, he likes to sit on my battery and lick my head and ears.[laugh]
I have no idea on the wife keeping dry in an ODC.
I am sitting well out of the water in my H3, but my Butt does get wet. I weigh in around 120.
Kicking forces water up on the seat, plus waves. Possible another inflatable pad on the seat could work.
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[cool][#0000ff]Just how high does she want to sit? High enough that she doesn't need anything more than hip boots?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the past I have tried several things to raise the seating. One option is heavy duty foam...like a 4" piece of firm mattress foam. But, it still compresses and it does soak up water. Other options are plastic coated boat cushions. But...slippery when wet and you can slip out of the seat. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have also tried using a small inner tube. If you lash it into place and stuff something in the center for comfort it will work too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I currently add a molded seat on the top of my foam seat in my Fat Cat...mostly for back support. But the molded bottom adds to the comfort too. I am thinking that you could add a thin layer of foam, with the contour chair on top and it might do the trick. (see pic)[/#0000ff]
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Here is me in the H3. You can see the water is about 4" down from the bottom on my seat, but as I said, I still get wet.
![[Image: H3s045.jpg]](http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f17/FlyGoddess/Freestyle%20H3/H3s045.jpg)
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Thanks, TD. Some good ideas. I am starting to get an idea what may work. She might tolerate a few splashes but doesn't want to marinate her hind quarters in a water puddle, and no waders-2" max should do it. So that leaves some kind of slightly elevated mesh seat equivalent to the plastic one you have in your picture. Now my hunt for such a creature starts. Maybe a doughnut inner tube seat with mesh bottom. Lets see what I can come up with....
Pon
[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Just how high does she want to sit? High enough that she doesn't need anything more than hip boots?[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In the past I have tried several things to raise the seating. One option is heavy duty foam...like a 4" piece of firm mattress foam. But, it still compresses and it does soak up water. Other options are plastic coated boat cushions. But...slippery when wet and you can slip out of the seat. [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have also tried using a small inner tube. If you lash it into place and stuff something in the center for comfort it will work too.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I currently add a molded seat on the top of my foam seat in my Fat Cat...mostly for back support. But the molded bottom adds to the comfort too. I am thinking that you could add a thin layer of foam, with the contour chair on top and it might do the trick. (see pic)[/#0000ff][/quote]
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If she doesn't want to wear waders and doesn't want her ass to get wet, she's never going to be happy in a float tube. Put her on a 'toon or in a boat.
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