DIY Canoe Stabilizer
There may be times when you are in a canoe that you would like to ensure it's not going to flip over. It is especially important when you are transporting young children. Nature photographers often use canoes to photograph wildlife, plants and landscapes from the water. All of the expensive photographic equipment would make it necessary to have a stable canoe. Do-it-yourself canoe stabilizers can be made with a few basic materials and a bit of creative thinking.
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Things You'll Need
- 1-by-2-by-96-inch hardwood board, 1
- Marine grade primer, paint
- Paint brush
- Foam buoys, 2
- U-bolts, 2
- Pencil
- 1/4-inch drill bit
- Drill
- 1/4-inch fender washers, 4
- 1/4-inch nuts
- 1/4-inch wrench
- C-clamps, 2
Instructions
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1
Apply a marine grade primer and paint to the 1-by-2-by-96-inch hardwood board using a paint brush. Follow the primer and paint instructions carefully. Allow to dry before handling.
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2
Place one u-bolt on each end of the board. The u-bolt should be centered on the board, with the outside bolt approximately one inch in from each end. Mark the bolts position with a pencil.
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3
Drill a hole through the board at each pencil mark. Use a drill and 1/4-inch drill bit.
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4
Place the board on a work surface. Center one buoy over each end where the holes are drilled. Slide a U-bolt over each buoy so that the bolts go through the holes in the board.
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5
Place fender washers over the bolts. Thread a nut onto each bolt. Tighten the nuts onto the bolts using a 1/4-inch wrench. Tighten the bolts enough so that the buoy is secured firmly against the bottom of the board.
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6
Center the board over the middle of the canoe with the buoys facing down. Clamp the board to the side of the canoe using a C-clamp on each side. This will allow you to quickly install or remove the canoe stabilizer as needed.
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Tips & Warnings
Tie a rope to the stabilizer assembly to ensure that it does not get lost if you accidentally drop it into the water when you are installing or removing it.
Ensure that the C-clamps are tight when you install the stabilizer.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit beached canoe image by Tanya McConnell from Fotolia.com
