I borrowed :wink a few ideas from my fellow Brats and completed two simple convenience mods for Swee Pea (22' Cruiser) You can find photos in my Swee Pea album, page 6 - I still don't know how to post directly into the thread.
The first was a simple hand hold for the swim platform. I like the stainless steel rail that is on the 23 Venture's platform, but anything stainless is expensive. And the angle may be off for use on the C-Dory. Custom stainless - $$$$$$$$$$$ ouch!
I borrowed the idea of using the LARGE 99 cent caribeaners from Harbor Freight that have soft grips attached. Using some 3/8" bulk dock line that was donated to me, I tied a series of knots and attached the caribeaners at strategic handhold locations. The top knot/line is attached to the port aft cleat. I used three caribeaners and overwrapped the easily tearable foam with Rescue Tape. This sealed the foam and gives a nice grip. I used high vis yellow. A fourth caribeaner was used to attach the line to the swim platform ladder. I intend to use a 4-6 inch float to identify the end of the line. Less than 10 bucks for the whole thing.
The second borrowed idea was to attach my already owned Optronics handheld 1 million candlepower spotlight to shine forward and be adjustable from the pilot seat. I used a RAM motorcycle handlebar mount, a short shaft handle, and a 1" RAM ball with a 3/8 x 16 male thread to thread into the 3/8" x 16 female insert in the bottom of the spotlight handle. (not all handhelds use this thread - some use the 1/4" x 20 thread used on cameras/tripot sockets - also available from RAM) I wrapped a short portion of my radio antenna with some clear Rescue Tape as an insulator and attached the RAM motorcycle mount using a stainless steel U bolt, also from RAM. Attach it all and there you have it. Total cost about $34 including shipping from ( www.themountdepot.com ) - not including the light which I already had.
Simple stuff - and many thanks to the Brats.
John
Swee Pea
The first was a simple hand hold for the swim platform. I like the stainless steel rail that is on the 23 Venture's platform, but anything stainless is expensive. And the angle may be off for use on the C-Dory. Custom stainless - $$$$$$$$$$$ ouch!
I borrowed the idea of using the LARGE 99 cent caribeaners from Harbor Freight that have soft grips attached. Using some 3/8" bulk dock line that was donated to me, I tied a series of knots and attached the caribeaners at strategic handhold locations. The top knot/line is attached to the port aft cleat. I used three caribeaners and overwrapped the easily tearable foam with Rescue Tape. This sealed the foam and gives a nice grip. I used high vis yellow. A fourth caribeaner was used to attach the line to the swim platform ladder. I intend to use a 4-6 inch float to identify the end of the line. Less than 10 bucks for the whole thing.
The second borrowed idea was to attach my already owned Optronics handheld 1 million candlepower spotlight to shine forward and be adjustable from the pilot seat. I used a RAM motorcycle handlebar mount, a short shaft handle, and a 1" RAM ball with a 3/8 x 16 male thread to thread into the 3/8" x 16 female insert in the bottom of the spotlight handle. (not all handhelds use this thread - some use the 1/4" x 20 thread used on cameras/tripot sockets - also available from RAM) I wrapped a short portion of my radio antenna with some clear Rescue Tape as an insulator and attached the RAM motorcycle mount using a stainless steel U bolt, also from RAM. Attach it all and there you have it. Total cost about $34 including shipping from ( www.themountdepot.com ) - not including the light which I already had.
Simple stuff - and many thanks to the Brats.
John
Swee Pea
