Knee board for shore float?

[LIMITLESS]

I’ve been scouting and I can pick up a knee board from a pawn shop for 20$ is there any reason that I am over looking that would keep me from making my float out of a knee board? I mean its strong durable, floats, would hold a flag, and gun, and float line... Light enough to carry... Any thoughts?

[Diablo Loco]

In my board building experience, I had tried using a knee board. Here is what I learned.

The knee boards are hollow and made of plastic. This makes for good buoyancy. In order to add attachment points (padeyes), you have to drill into the board (twice for each padeye). In order to attach the padeye, you must use rivets that are the same designed used for kayaks. You may have 6-10 padeyes installed on the front for attachment points, depending on your configuration. On the bottom, you'll need at least 4 attachment points for the shoulder harness.

This sounds like an easy build...........and it is. But........here are the things you must consider.

First off, when you put all of the holes in the board for the padeyes, no matter how you seal up those holes, considering the fact that the board is hollow, this creates a problem. Every time you get onto the board, it will compress the air in the board and the air will find some place to leak out. It may not happen immediately, but it will happen. Once you get off the board, the board expands, allowing the air to come back in. This is where you come into a problem. Where the air comes back in, so does the water. Now you have a board full of water. It will no longer be buoyant and it will be a bitch to carry out of the water. It will take forever to drain.

Now, there is an alternative to prevent this from happening. You can cut a few small holes in the board and fill it with foam and then seal the holes. The only problem with this is that if you put too much foam in the board, it can cause it to crack at the slightest hit against the rocks. If done just right, it would work very well. Here is another thing to consider if you decide to use the foam fill. The boards already weigh a good amount. By adding the foam, you increase the weight of the board. Also, air is more buoyant than foam. Do not think that the foam will add buoyancy. It will not. It only serves one purpose by using foam. To fill the void of air and prevent the board from filling with water due to the holes for the padeyes.

If you are willing to deal with the added weight from the foam filling, in the water and out of the water, then it might be worth the effort for you. If you decide to build this board, I wish you the best of luck. I would like to see the pictures of your build posted, as I enjoy posting my builds.

I have posted 3 board builds on SB and if you would like to get some ideas, use the search function and type in "Ab Boards," and you should find my builds. I hope some of my ideas help you out. :thumps::toast:

[LIMITLESS]

Thanks for the info!!

[LIMITLESS]

Just a thought, in texasa we dont hunt shell fish, and the main use for the float would be to float a fish that i wasnt abl to fight on my own, if i run out of breath. i would just have a flag, and a way to attach the float line... thats about it, maybe a stringer....

[Diablo Loco]

Just a thought, in texasa we dont hunt shell fish, and the main use for the float would be to float a fish that i wasnt abl to fight on my own, if i run out of breath. i would just have a flag, and a way to attach the float line... thats about it, maybe a stringer....

Well, the less holes you have, the less the likelihood of leakage. Just put one stainless steel padeye at the front of the board. Make sure you seal it very well. You can use "well nuts." They have the best seals, but are expensive if you wanted to use them for multiple holes. A couple will not be expensive.

As for the flag, I would recommend a particular one that actually uses well nuts. Again, no leaks. Here are the websites. The first one is the flag setup. The second is the well nuts and SS padeye kit.

http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_29&products_id=361&zenid=0bii91kg20pp9qln7rj7dqmln4

http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_17&products_id=133&zenid=0bii91kg20pp9qln7rj7dqmln4

[LIMITLESS]

thanks, i appreciate the info... im still lookin into it... i really want a banks board, but my better half wont let me spend the money...

[Diablo Loco]

thanks, i appreciate the info... im still lookin into it... i really want a banks board, but my better half wont let me spend the money...

Yeah, the Bank's Board's are the way to go.....but they are expensive. I use one myself, but building a board can alleviate some of that expense for those who cannot afford a Bank's Board. Plus, these ab boards are fun to build. :thumps::toast:

[LIMITLESS]

Ya, but its still no Banks Board...

[drew5546]

Why not just put a drain plug in the kneeboard? Sure water will slowly seep in through whatever holes you put in it like you said but at the end of a day of diving just open the plug and let the water out.

[Putmeincoach]

http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=7_29&products_id=361&zenid=0bii91kg20pp9qln7rj7dqmln4

http://topkayaker.net/TopKayakerShop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2_17&products_id=133&zenid=0bii91kg20pp9qln7rj7dqmln4
Unfortunately, topkayaker is no longer carrying those flag mounts. Topkayaker will give you an email address to contact the manufacturer.. and if your experience with the manufacturer is the same as mine, you won't receive a response.

As to the knee board filling up with water, check the back end of it, many brands have a small hole in the very back with a sealed plug. If it's there, you can probably drill it out and improvise with something that's easily removable.

[Diablo Loco]

Unfortunately, topkayaker is no longer carrying those flag mounts. Topkayaker will give you an email address to contact the manufacturer.. and if your experience with the manufacturer is the same as mine, you won't receive a response.

Are you kidding me? That totally sucks. They have to be one of the best flag pole mounts for kayaks made. My guess would be that the manufacturer went under. That could be the only explanation if Topkayaker stopped carrying them and they do no respond to emails. Guess I will have to look for an alternative. Thanks for the heads-up. :toast:

[Land&SeaKahuna]

when you poke the holes maybe spray foam insulation would work to fill in the void