Raising the crate - need ideas

[archeryrob]

I have changed m setup from a bag to crate since buying the Prowler SOT. Now my crate moves back and forth between the Commander and the Prowler. The problem I have is when in the prowler with any wave action or wakes, the tankwell water level goes up and down enough to get water on the plano boxes. They are getting wet and I am sure some small amount of water gets in. I want to keep the salt and water off the plano's.

I am looking for ideas on possibly raising the crate or what you guys do. I think scuppers would be ok, unless I took one over the tankwell then I can't get them out and the boxes fill completely. The OK draining scuppers appear to drain, but very slowly.

I am thinking I need to elevate an inch, possibly to solve the issue. Thoughts or things you have done?

[moc]

My milkcrate is elevated for the reasons that you mentioned. I got two galvanized rods that I installed across the back of the tankwell. I then placed the milkcrate onto of the rods. I made a strap system to sinch them down. I can send a pic if you like.

[Sun]

I have a prowler 13, and have the same problem that you described. I am also trying to figure out a solution to that problem. I'm consider doing something like what Moc described....just with some PVC pipe that I have leftover from my rod holders. I'll post a pic if I decide to go with that idea.

[Turtle135]

I have not tried it but I've seen posts where they say they zip tie a couple of lengths of pool noodle under the crate for elevation.

What would we do without zip ties, duck tape and pool noodle!

[nay_sayer]

Kayak Kevin has a video on his site about his crate and how he elevated it on the rods like Moc posted. He fishes a Prowler as well I believe, so it should be just the type of thing you are looking for.

[AnimalPA]

PA

For my PA I cut a piece of thin diamond plate aluminum the width of the cargo area and 15" wide mounting it just behind the seats on top the cargo area. That way I can sit my crate or tackle bag on it and have 3" under it to stick anything that can get wet. I have Velcro & lanyards on my different crates/tackle bags to hold them in place and in case of a tip-over.

[DOGFISH]

I have also seen some guys zip tie pieces of PVC pipe under the crate.

[AnimalPA]

Crate; where to get?

Speaking of crates, where can I get a large retangular one?

[Sun]

Speaking of crates, where can I get a large retangular one?

I bought some from a dealer in NJ (i'm not keen on the idea of taking one from behind a shop). it was kind of shady though. It took several phone calls to get the guy to finally ship them to me. http://www.idairycrates.com/dairy-crates

However, the milk crates are nice quality, they are large enough to hold everything I could ever want to have on my kayak, they don't have some dairy company name engraved on them, and none of them have broken yet. I'm very happy with my milk crates =).

[jet]

if you get another crate, just cut the top of it to the desired height you want. the top will fit the bottom of the crate and you can glue, or zip tie it together.

[tufnik]

Here's what I did.

No holes drilled in the yak. Nylon ties were used to attach the wood frame to the crate. Wood was treated with polyurethane.

- Gave me a lot more room
- My things don't get wet

[archeryrob]

I sent Martin a PM for his pics, will look on Kayak Kevin's site and I like Tufnik's idea. You could slide any fishes under that! The light bulb went off when I saw that. How does it change your center of gravity? I don't want to find my heavy ass crate makes me want to turn like a turtle.

[archeryrob]

I found Kayak Kevin mounting his on cross bars like struts.

[tufnik]

Yep, I slide fish, bait and other stuff under there.

I thought about that. The CG change is so small I can't really tell. I don't notice any "yak tilt" change. I do carry a tackle bag that holds 4 trays of lures and lead. I also carry three rod/reels, net, flag, and a bag in the crate.

Try it. If you don't like it, reconfigure it. I like mine. Much better than when I had the crate in the well.

[moc]

Yeah, that is the way I mounted my milk crate. Two bars held in place with deck loops like in Kayak Kevins video. This definitely keeps my stuff dryer.