New crate idea

We just moved to the coast and our new place has and awesome 1400 sq ft shop. But it was a mess and took months to clean it out, in fact I hauled 1,100 pounds of assorted metal to the scrap yard. But some good things also happened. I found a stack of wire panels used for building storage cubicles.



So I got a brainstorm of fabricating a crate for my yaks. Materials on hand were the panels, assorted PVC, electric wire ties.



So I take the wire ties and connect the panels to form a cube, leaving the top connected only one one side so it opens.



Then I cut some 3" PVC about 8 inches long and use the 12 inch wire ties to strap it to the cube.



Then I cut 2 pieces of 1 1/4" PVC about 10 inches long and strap them to the backside of the cube.



After that I cut some of the panels in half and installed three of the pieces to form dividers, added a bungee cord from front to back and tied it off so I could easily slip it over to one side to open the lid.
and it all looks like this.

I like

I like it too. Seems like it would catch less wind than a traditional crate/sail.

That is slick Preacher

Very nice, Don. Isn't it about time to throw the kayak in East Bay?

Yes! But every time I plan a trip the weather goes haywire. Reds and flounder are going crazy right now.

awesome rack

Nice crate! Good idea.

Not to hijack your thread but has anyone seen the produce crates at Walmart? They are the perfect size for the back of a Hobie but I cannot get my hands on one to save my life. They are like gold to Walmart and do not want to give any up. They are both black and wood looking. Different heights but they are 24"x15"X". X being 4"-10" high. You can see them in any Walmart in produce all the produce are in them.

OUTSTANDING!!

The best commercial crates I have seen are sold by Austin Kayak, one for around $18, another for $12 or so.

You could buy one of these heavy duty crates, then use some of the ideas shown for the "new crate ideas" to attach rod holders using plastic ties.

That'd be super light and nothing to rust or wear out.

Brad

FishinPreacher: great job on the build! Your crate looks professionally made. If you want an all black look, spray on bed-liner works really well sticking to PVC. I use it on all my PVC add-on's to my crate and creates an all around look that store-bought options provide.

How long before the zip ties started failing?
If they get alot of sun they go pretty quick(2-3 seasons)