I'm gonna make a one man microboat/car roof box w/Shapple icesled

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Squidly-Diddly, Jun 3, 2022.

  1. Squidly-Diddly
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 1,958
    Likes: 176, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 304
    Location: SF bay

    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    XL ice sled is 66x31x12" And people have already reported using them to cross small bodies of water. I'm going with a Shappel because of the flat 1 level gunnel Which will make it easy toattach to a flat piece of plywood for the floor when used as a car top Box.

    I'm thinking I will 1st run 3/4 inch by 2" wood gunnels attached directly to the Sleds gunnels then common door hinges to attach to the plywood.
    The sled is $129, 21.5lbs which should be basically like a very tough thick concrete mixing tub. Should also be fully stackable like a Dory so if the hull is a little weaker than I would like I can just double up. Might double up anyways just to have the option of making a slightly longer hinged boat where one would haul me and 1 would haul my cargo. I think the biggest challenges will be the complete lack of directional stability, And paddles or oars and how to make that all work. Maybe I'll scrap a couple short paddles as rudder skeg directionals with a bungee cord board then either a double ended paddle or a couple of short paddles but functioning as oars in orlocks. When I get to shore I'll remove the paddle stabilizers and use them as stepping stones to stay out of the mud.
    Maybe a ring of large pool noodles around the gunnel just to keep the hull positively buoyant.
    I guess it would be possible to put a piece of plywood on the transom and run a small electric trolling motor with a battery but I'm not worried about that yet. Mostly I would just like a cheap durable roofbox that will hold 3.5 gallon buckets for carrying tools and other items without a lot of waste in space and this sled seems to fit the bill.
    Haven't figured out exactly how to attach the plywood floor to roof racks yet And what would be the best combo of security and ease of attachment and and not interfering with the cargo space.

    Any suggestions?
     
  2. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    Rudder out the back.
     
  3. Squidly-Diddly
    Joined: Sep 2007
    Posts: 1,958
    Likes: 176, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 304
    Location: SF bay

    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    But But what sort and how to attach?

    Maybe I'll attach a piece of thick plywood externally on the transom transum pretty much all the way to the edges and just figure stuff out from there.

    Also thinking about making 2 with wooden gunnels around so that I could also have a mostly mostly weather proof rooftop rooftop Box with 2ft interior roof space, As well as construct a hinged longer boat. I've got 3 vehicles all with light duty roof racks they could all use an extra Box on top even if they are mostly just parked for additional storage. Be as easy to make a set as it would be to make one.
    Maybe Hook them together and use the plywood floor deck on one sit on that then have your legs of your legs and feet forward in an open sled. The sleds have pretty big triple full length runners so two sleds should reasonable tracking.
    Ever since I saw the surf rescue sled towed behind a personal water craft I've always wondered what a hinged vessel would be like as far as following waves
     
  4. fallguy
    Joined: Dec 2016
    Posts: 7,598
    Likes: 1,674, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: usa

    fallguy Senior Member

    Well, rudder doesn't need to be complex.

    capture the edge of the sled with wood say like 1x6 each side, then mount the rudder on that
     

  5. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
    Posts: 2,685
    Likes: 961, Points: 113
    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    Diddly,
    Have you built any prototypes?
    Seems like you've been kicking this idea around for a while.
    BB
     
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.