[cool][#0000ff]Part of setting up the new SFC has been making a new rigid apron. As with previous models, I started with a plastic lid from a storage container...about 24" wide at the widest point. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]All of my previous "sushi boards" have been "right side up"...with the top of the lid being the surface. However, I have seen a couple of other tubers using the lids bottom side up, to provide a safety ridge to help prevent tackle from sliding off the edge. Having lost a box of lures last year that slid off the end of my apron, I recognize the value of a slider stopper.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]So, I turned over my new green lid and built the apron to have the ridges facing up. I also incorporated the 3/8" PVC tube across the top, as I did with my last model. It is cut long enough that it rests on the top of the air chambers and provides more firmness and support for the apron. I run a stretch cord through that tube and tie on a couple of snaps for attaching to the D rings on the front of the air chambers. Don't even need to secure them at the rear, as with most aprons.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The lid did require some cutting and sanding to get it to fit inside the space alloted, and to keep it from banging on the bait rigger bases. Also, the ruler had to be cut back a bit. It was 24" long when I bought it, but only 22" would fit inside the lid at the top part, where it was slightly narrower. I drilled holes in both the metal ruler and the plastic lid...to line up...and then used a small bolt and washer on each end.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have added text to some of the pictures to help provide whatever info someone might want to create a similar apron for themselves. [/#0000ff]
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[font "Comic Sans MS"][black][size 3]Thanks for the info. I was thinking I would do just that too - - turn the lid upside down to provide a lip. Now if I can just figure out how you put the floatie ring around your fish basket. When I try putting one around my basket, it's so stiff it collapses the basket because it's not a perfect circle. I thought I could try cutting the floatie into short pieces and tyng them together with nylon rope, or at least cutting slits on the outside of the ring to allow it to flex into a circle. I haven't tried either yet. Did you run into the same problem, or did you have a softer floatie to begin with?
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[cool][#0000ff]The key to getting a good circle, without crushing the top of the basket, is to fasten in sequence. Get some good long plastic zip ties. Start at the back of the basket and fasten the first one while the "noodle" is straight. Bring one end around a ways and fasten another at about the midpoint. Do the same on the other side. Now you can bring the two ends together and tie them off with little springy resistance. Not a "perfect" circle but what IS perfect in life...except fishing?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]We can work on that when you bring the tube over for some rod holder show and tell.[/#0000ff]
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Pat,
I couldn't help but notice that "Murphy" (The guy who makes the laws) has you catching 24" fish now that your ruler has been cut back to 22".
Nice Job! The colour co-ordination is cool. I take it that the new redesigned apron on the 2008 tubes is no better than the original "flop rag". Any chance Outcast might be forsaking the urethane bladder because they are about to cut a deal with Rubbermaid to produce something to compete with your design?
God Bless,
Don
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Pat -- great work as usual...Thanks for the details, going to copy cat for my new SFC. One question however, I noticed on my rubbermaid sushi board on my ODC that gook and grime and water accumulates on the lid over the day....(could be I am sloppy) -- have you ever cut any "drainage holes" -- or do you just "unhook and turn over?"
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[cool][#0000ff]If the Murphy's Law thing really worked, I would be using a yardstick...36"...even if it was too wide to be practical.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Yep. Still the wimpy mesh apron that does nothing more than tie you into the tube and catch fish hooks in the mesh. Worthless as a tackle table.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I doubt if the "NEW" Outcast would go a quality route like Rubbermaid. More likely to see something like Tupperware. Then they could have "TUBERWARE" parties.[/#0000ff]
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[cool][#0000ff]I haven't yet drilled the drain holes on the new green apron, but i have them on all previous models. I take a 1/4" drill bit and zip holes about every six inches around the groove where the flat bends to become the upright. Makes it much easier to drain out the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also, I have really come to appreciate the style with the PVC tube, cord and hook setup. I can undo one hook and dip the apron down into the water to rinse off the "accumulation". Thinking of adding a small fingernail type brush to my onboard goodies to give a quick brush to sticky stuff. I always try to keep things rinsed as I go, and I also make a cleanup part of the takedown process. Makes for a more pleasant experience on the next trip and keeps the garage more tolerable.[/#0000ff]
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TD, you never cease to amaze me !! By the way, what do you do with the rest of the Tub ???? Inquiring minds want to know, or is that small minds, what ever !!!
[cool][#0000ff]We use a lot of the plastic containers for storing stuff, but you don't always need the lids if they are in a protected area and what you are storing is not fragile (seasonal clothes, etc.). sometimes you can stack 4 or 5 partially full containers in the space a couple with lids would occupy.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Actually, I pick up lids all the time where people have just tossed or lost them. Also, when we do the yard sale thing, it is common to find odds and ends that people will just give you or sell for 50 cents. And, if you know anybody who is moving, you can save that kinda stuff from DI or the dumpster. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have a stack of a half dozen "orphan" lids in my garage at any given time. Not even sure where I got that green one. It was cracked on one side and probably discarded. But, I needed to trim out that area anyway. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Life (with lids) is good.[/#0000ff]
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[cool]Always glad to see the ongoing innovation here, modeled by our fearless leader (who now has flipped his lid -- so to speak).
I've already incorporated your idea with the PVC tube across the top and the stretch cords inside. Works great - so good, in fact, that I've cast aside the stock apron that comes with the Super Fat Cat. (Contrary to popular views, I did always like the "wimpy apron" for fly fishing as it allows water and fish slime to drain off quickly.)
I probably won't be flipping my lid however because it leaves too many grabbys for flyline. I can see the benefit of the lip to keep tackle boxes from going swimming, though.
Great work, as usual.
z~
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks, Z. There are some who are sure that I "flipped my lid" a long time ago.[/#0000ff]
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