IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Ice Shack Tips => Topic started by: Nutsicles on Dec 12, 2015, 03:55 PM
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Well, with these warm temps and no ice in my near future, I decided to do some mods to my flipover. I have the original clam kenai, before they put a door on the canvas. The tub is deep, and stuff slides around everywhere, and I was tired of tangled rods, tip ups, etc..
I've always liked the fiberglass decks other members have made for their flipovers, so I decided to give it a shot. The layout I went with is a bit overdone, but I wanted to maximize storage.
First I installed some cheap rod holders on the flipover brackets. They spin in the u-bolts so they aren't hanging up on the canvas when flipping the shelter.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC06996_zpso0rfacv7.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC06996_zpso0rfacv7.jpg.html)
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC06997_zps8hld4t5r.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC06997_zps8hld4t5r.jpg.html)
Then original kenai sled has molded in cup holders, and a tray. The tray was too shallow to be useful, so I found a Rubbermaid kitchen drawer bin, and it was a perfect fit. Cut out the opening in the sled, and the tray just pops in there perfectly. I pull by hand so it's not an issue, but if I used a machine to haul it, I'd probably remove it while traveling.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC06999_zpsf1icpo1q.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC06999_zpsf1icpo1q.jpg.html)
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC07000_zps8ouirvy9.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC07000_zps8ouirvy9.jpg.html)
For extra support, I ran two pieces of 3/4" plywood across the width of the sled. It adds a little extra weight, but it doubles as a secure mount for rod holders, and also separates the compartments of the fiberglass. I could also lay across the deck for a nap if I wanted too. ::) These were a pain to get cut just right. Had to use cardboard templates to get the notches in the sled just right, not to mention the taper of the sled. But it turned out nice. Other piece of plywood has been painted since the picture was taken.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC06998_zpsmxct3ii8.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC06998_zpsmxct3ii8.jpg.html)
Now on to the fiberglass. This is some nasty stuff. I had a shop fan, and my industrial exhaust fan going, and still had to wear my respirator. My advice is to due this in the warmer months outside, as long as it isn't windy. You're going to need lot's of cheap paintbrushes, mixing cups, mixing sticks, and disposable rubber gloves. The working life of this stuff is short, so I had to mix it in small batches. Wally world is the best place, paintbrushes were .50 cents each, smaller solo cups were roughly $4.00 for a big bag, and giant popsicle sticks for mixing were about $3.00. The resin itself is the most expensive at $15.00 a can and, $5.00 a piece for the cloth which is 8 square feet. (2'x4').
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC07030_zpspvpnmjfd.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC07030_zpspvpnmjfd.jpg.html)
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC07031_zpsbdwftmwm.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC07031_zpsbdwftmwm.jpg.html)
Anyways, here it is partially finished. After I'm done with the fiberglass, I'm covering it in carpet. Kind of hard to explain without it in the tub, but I'll try. The whole thing will just drop in the sled. The two "legs" of the fiberglass will sit between the two pieces of plywood mounted in the sled, with the rounded "nose" facing the rear of the shanty. I'm making hatch covers for all four openings. From the black piece of plywood, to the front of the tub, I'm mounting a 1/4" piece of plywood on hinges. That will serve as my bench seat as well as the rod locker.
I'll post more pictures of it once I get it finished, as well as pics with my gear in it, to better explain the layout. I also have some reflectix to put in, led strip lights, and my power box.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/6e66eed3-5bfe-432b-8f05-ebfcc8c83bd1_zps3cqmcuwc.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/6e66eed3-5bfe-432b-8f05-ebfcc8c83bd1_zps3cqmcuwc.jpg.html)
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC07045_zps7ryma7w2.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC07045_zps7ryma7w2.jpg.html)
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20fishing/DSC07041_zpsfrceeiao.jpg) (http://s1141.photobucket.com/user/Nutsicles/media/Ice%20fishing/DSC07041_zpsfrceeiao.jpg.html)
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looks awesome can't wait to see if finished!
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Interested to see how this turns out!
Ive wanted to do this for a while with mine, but just never pulled the trigger on it..
Good luck!
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Looking good. I'm in the process of starting mine as well on a clam nanook. Can't wait to see it finished
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Looking good. I'm in the process of starting mine as well on a clam nanook. Can't wait to see it finished
This is how I started mine, it's a clam guide, but the same dimentions as a nanook. I didn't like what I was seeing as there's only so many inches from the deck openings to the bottom of the tub and everything I have, heater, bait bucket, tackle bag is taller than the platform and the doors wouldn't close. I threw it away and just put milk cartons in the tub to hold all my crap. this will work for now. Good luck with your build.
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Finally got around to taking pics of it all finished. After getting it all in there, I decided against putting hatches on the openings. It would be one more thing in the way.
Here's the front bench seat/rod locker. I still need to get a seat to mount to it since it sits a little low, but it works for now.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20Fishing%202016/IMG_20160126_143041015_zpstk8d7voa.jpg)
This is the deck inside the shanty. Tip ups and propane will be on the left, tackle bag/scoop on the right. The power box is where I keep my little igloo cooler for bait. The power box will be in front of the cooler, you'll see it's divided into two compartments.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20Fishing%202016/IMG_20160126_143138378_zpsfud1sqll.jpg)
This pic shows the two compartments in the center, and where I'll keep the heater when not in use.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20Fishing%202016/IMG_20160126_143202268_zpskejeobvh.jpg)
Then the lights, and reflectix on the ceiling. My kenai doesn't have a door, so it was tough getting pics of the inside.
(http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n600/Nutsicles/Ice%20Fishing%202016/IMG_20160126_143221172_HDR_zps4lp4kveh.jpg)
Overall I'm happy with it. Since I didn't add hatches, I can lay my rods across the side holes, and the reels hang in there nicely for quick hole hopping. Everything is neat, organized, and quickly accessible.
If I had to do it again...... I wouldn't. ;). I'd just use 1/4" plywood and not have to deal with the fiberglass. The extra weight would be minimal.
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One of the things I didn't like on my guide build was the seat being so close to the top of the tub. I wanted to carry a 12v car battery in a compartment under the seat, but with the deck height being shorter than the battery, it wasn't going to work. Also with the seat on the top of the plywood my knees were in my face. I scraped everything, put one original seat and rails in the middle, and have gone with milk crates. Your build looks good. enjoy it.
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One of the things I didn't like on my guide build was the seat being so close to the top of the tub. I wanted to carry a 12v car battery in a compartment under the seat, but with the deck height being shorter than the battery, it wasn't going to work. Also with the seat on the top of the plywood my knees were in my face. I scraped everything, put one original seat and rails in the middle, and have gone with milk crates. Your build looks good. enjoy it.
Thanks Al. I really love how everything is organized. The kenai sled is deeper than the nanook, so my knees aren't quite up to my face, but it's not super comfortable either. I've got a few ideas for a seat using one of my kids old floor seats. It looks just like the one in this link.
http://www.thisnext.com/item/468417C1/Rocking-Floor-Seat
This chair has the ratcheting type hinges that used to come on the old school lawn chairs. So It folds flat all the way forward, or all the way back, and it can be put in multiple reclined positions.
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I have some ideas in my head to make something different than what I started with. I like the idea of having compartments with covers,and everything in it's place. Last winter I used a clam pro to fish out of, and on one trip with nothing but a carpet on the floor to keep thinks from sliding around, the clam flipped while crossing a shove and everything bounced around under the travel cover. Cooler with a locking top came unlocked and minnows and water was everywhere, Rod that I had just finished wrapping the night before broke in half. I fished that day, but getting home and wanting to take stuff out of the clam was a chore, everything was frozen through the carpet to the plastic tub. what a mess. That's when I decided to do something. I like your idea of just setting everything in the tub and not screwing holes in it. I may try that on my next attempt. Keep the pics coming your build is looking good.
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searching for mods and saw Nutsicles post, looking for a battery box he has in his pics, brand for that one or something similar would be awesome.
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nice name, welcome to IS, at the top left of just about every page is a box titled "search" type in what ever you would like to see and hit the search button, and many of what you're looking for will come up, usually you have to scroll down a little to see the actual post but the stuff will be there.For that battery box you're looking for, enter flip over power box, hit search, then scroll past the yellow stuff, and you'll see what you searched for, there's 20 pages of flip over power boxes, happy reading............... ........Al
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Thx Al, was looking more for a retail style with everything in it if there is one, i have built one out of a Plano box before but just doesn't seem to last very long after you modify it and then have them bounce around in the sled :). Nutsicles looked well made or he did a very good job with the mods and the box looks very durable.
Thx again