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| The rod holders under the gunwales before any foam installation |
After installing foam on the sides of the boat in between the rod holders, the rod holders themselves were still without foam. After putting it off until now, it was time to apply a foam covering to them.
There are two sets of rod holders on each side of the boat, each holder having two sideways "U" spaces for rods. That makes a total of eight spaces that needed to be covered with foam. I had a suspicion that covering the holders would be tedious and time consuming but I had no idea just how tedious and time consuming it would be. But, after spending the better part of a day, they're done.
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| Before the foam was installed in the rod holders |
Each rod space had to be measured as much to my surprise there were slight variations in the dimensions of the spaces. The width was fairly standard (3 3/8 inches) so I cut two pieces of foam for the first holder making sure it was long enough to cover the space from the top all the way to the bottom. After cutting the first two pieces to a length of 12 inches, I tested one in the top space. After aligning the top edge so it was flush, the foam piece was about an inch too long. I marked it and cut it to size. Next I sprayed 3M adhesive on the back of the foam and tried to fit the foam into the curved space. Talk about a challenge. I had to form a sideways "U" with the foam and try to place it into the space. The foam immediately stuck to the opening as I tried to position it. After peeling it off and putting it back in a half a dozen times, various adjustments were then needed to line it up just right. When I was dine, the foam was in place but I got glue all over the yellow side. I wiped the surface with rubbing alcohol, then some paint brushing thinner, and got all the glue off. At least the adhesive works and the foam was firmly attached.
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| After the foam was installed in the rod holders |
This process had to be repeated seven more times but eventually (after several hours) all of the rod holders had foam covering the surface.
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| Walmart waterproof (dry bag) backpack |
The only other thing I managed to get done was install two Walmart waterproof backpacks on the inside of the poling platform, one on each side. I found these on clearance and even though the camp pattern wasn't my first choice who could argue with the $12 price. These were designed for use on kayaks and in addition to the backpack straps they had three straps on each side with buckles.
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| The poling platform |
I would have normally installed these on the outside of the poling platform frame but the horizontal braces welded to the tubes are my ladder for climbing up onto the platform. So, I installed them on the inside of the frame, running the shoulder straps over the top horizontal brace and then under the lower horizontal brace before reconnecting the straps to the pack. the three side straps were attached to the vertical frame poles resulting in a very secure means of keeping the packs in place. I'm using one (the one on the Left) to store all the boat cleaning supplies, bottles, etc.) and the other one (on the right) to store all my safety equipment (flares, fire extinguisher, air horn, etc.) The packs are easy to access and add additional storage to the boat.
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| Dry bag backpacks installed |
I'm finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel as I believe with one more day I can finish doing everything that needs to be done before she's ready to take out on the maiden fishing trip. I also have some work to do on the trailer, and that will probably be next.
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