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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote marksy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Best DIY float
    Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 12:30pm
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Anyone got any good ideas for a DIY spearfishing float? I was thinking maybe chuck some bungee cord and a dive flag on a boogie board? maybe with a bit of pool noodle around the edges for extra flotation. Cheers
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote marksy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 12:32pm
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I was thinking maybe a kids kayak like this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/kayaks-canoes/kayaks/sit-on-top/auction-1277328883.htm or http://www.trademe.co.nz/sports/kayaks-canoes/kayaks/sit-on-top/auction-1276011659.htm you could fit a few decent fish on this and it gives you a bit of extra storage and plenty of floatation. 
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote FizFisho Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 3:45pm
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Originally posted by marksy marksy wrote:

Anyone got any good ideas for a DIY spearfishing float? I was thinking maybe chuck some bungee cord and a dive flag on a boogie board? maybe with a bit of pool noodle around the edges for extra flotation. Cheers

are you planning to use it as a catch bag as well? I like the look of the beuchat guardian, which can also be used as a paddling board to get you out quicker. something like that would be neat.

using a boogie board you want some ballast on each side to keep it from flipping. even two pvc pipies either side filled with sand might work? you could have a water sealed catch bag with ice so no bities detect any smell.

and then there is the childs kayak, think thats a good idea too.

wettie recentily released a boat float didnt they?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Mar 2017 at 7:47pm
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Messing around with a wheel barrow tyre tube...bit of jerry rig
Tied a burly net on the inside of the hole..so just throw stuff in...but the net is sort of too big/ deep bit of a mission. Need to untie the burly net , lay out flat and then make more shallow.
 But in the mean time tided some  cords around with long line clips, so just clip the net catch bag on.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote marksy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2017 at 11:13pm
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Hmm interesting, you could even fibreglass around the tube and keep the valve so you can keep it pressurised and still have the rigidity of fibreglass?
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote marksy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Mar 2017 at 11:18pm
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I'm swaying more towards the kids kayak idea now, you can pick one up for $80ish on Trademe. It has the potential to carry a few pretty decent kingies and a heap of gear. I'm just a newbie so I'd really appreciate any other ideas... Cheers
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Steps Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Mar 2017 at 8:42am
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Hmm interesting, you could even fibreglass around the tube and keep the valve so you can keep it pressurised and still have the rigidity of fibreglass?

 Cant see why not..except when pumping up would have to be careful not to over pressurise...lot force in pneumatics.. far more than most ppl realise. Too much air and it then becomes a bomb with shrapnel.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Fizzlesticks Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Mar 2017 at 7:50pm
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Make the shape you want out of solid polystyrene and coat with fibreglass, then dig out the polystyrene leaving behind a shell. Only trouble is making a decent lid. This is how Dave Turley made his one (for $80 back in the day), Steve McDonald's plats were loosely based on Dave's design. However, by the time you've pimped it out with stainless fittings etc, it'll end up costing you $200-$400 so you're better off buying one.

I recently brought a viking kayak fish pod and turned into a small plat, cost me $250 by the time everything was fitted
It doesn't have to be fun to be fun
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote tom1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Mar 2017 at 3:11pm
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Originally posted by Fizzlesticks Fizzlesticks wrote:

Make the shape you want out of solid polystyrene and coat with fibreglass, then dig out the polystyrene leaving behind a shell. Only trouble is making a decent lid. This is how Dave Turley made his one (for $80 back in the day), Steve McDonald's plats were loosely based on Dave's design. However, by the time you've pimped it out with stainless fittings etc, it'll end up costing you $200-$400 so you're better off buying one.

I recently brought a viking kayak fish pod and turned into a small plat, cost me $250 by the time everything was fitted

 
How's the lid seal on your one? is it the newer one with the 2 hinges on the top or the old one?  I bought one of the original models years ago and got sick of it filling up with water at the merest sign of chop, it was terrible.  Buggered around with it for ages and never managed to get a good seal.
14 snapper fillets, "enough for a feed" ?!
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