Cargo/Battery Box with Rod Holders
(click on any photo for a larger view)
Cargo Box Mounting Frame
This photo shows the wood frame that is used to adapt the cargo box (a utility storage container
from Target) to the Float Cat's stock cargo rack. The half-moon cutouts in the frame were made by drilling 7/8"
holes near the edge, and then making some short tangent cuts with the band saw. I used the same 7/8" Forstner
bit that I used for reaming the PVC tees for other modifications. The two hooks (with spring retainers) ensure
that the frame cannot fall loose from the cargo rack. The frame was put together from 1x2 poplar, with screws and
epoxy glue at all joints. It was then painted black and sealed with polyester (fibreglas) resin.
Cargo Box with Battery Box Inside
The
photo to the left was taken from the stern of the boat and shows how the cargo box sits on the stock cargo rack.
The photo below/left shows how the cargo box, with the battery box inside it, is secured to the mounting frame
with 1/4 x 1" lag screws and fender washers. The photo below/right shows the Group-24-size deep cycle battery
in the battery box.
Fishing Rod Holders
Each rod holder is made from a length of 1" Schedule 200 (thin-walled) PVC pipe epoxied to
a length of 2x2 poplar. The poplar is then bolted to the side of the cargo box using 1/4 x 1" lag screws and
fender washers. I used a special epoxy, "Plastic-Weld," which is designed for glueing plastic, and which
bonds strongly with the PVC pipe. The 1" PVC pipe works perfectly for spinning rods. As shown in the photo,
I used a 1" PVC Tee (a union would have worked as well) to make a slip-on adapter that holds a fly rod more
securely. Both kinds of rods are shown in the holders in the photos below.
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This photo shows the wood frame that is used to adapt the cargo box (a utility storage container
from Target) to the Float Cat's stock cargo rack. The half-moon cutouts in the frame were made by drilling 7/8"
holes near the edge, and then making some short tangent cuts with the band saw. I used the same 7/8" Forstner
bit that I used for reaming the PVC tees for other modifications. The two hooks (with spring retainers) ensure
that the frame cannot fall loose from the cargo rack. The frame was put together from 1x2 poplar, with screws and
epoxy glue at all joints. It was then painted black and sealed with polyester (fibreglas) resin. 
