How's your SIB rigged?

1ThOFA87 · 01 August 2009, 20:19

I'm curious as to how other members have rigged their boats for fishing. Small boat and fishing equipment manufacturers don't seem to cater to SIB owners so we have to get creative. There's plenty of ways to rig kayaks but not much of a market for SIB accessories. I purchased two seating frames from boatstogo.com where i got the boat and two coolers, one in the front and one beside my seat in the rear. As it happens, the seat frame, gas tank and cooler fit perfectly snug in the rear of the boat. I've used the rear cooler as a live bait tank but its a little large for that application so I'll probably just use it for dry storage and mount a fish finder to it. I wish I could find a reasonably priced arch to attach to the transom on which to mount rod holders but most arches are way too expensive. I have a Scotty rod holder on the starboard side of my transom and a three pole rocket launcher set on the port side.

Please post pictures of your SIBs if you would. I'd really like to see your setup.

codprawn · 01 August 2009, 22:35

To be honest most boat owners in the UK don't bother rigging their boats at all - just chuck the gear in and go. We don't really get the need for coolers and sun shades!!!

No doubt some have and will post the pics to prove it........

prairie tuber · 02 August 2009, 02:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

To be honest most boat owners in the UK don't bother rigging their boats at all - just chuck the gear in and go. We don't really get the need for coolers and sun shades!!!

... I guess one would have to have some sunshine before they'd have any need for sunshades

codprawn · 02 August 2009, 03:41

Exactly - this is the 3rd really bad summer now. Torrential rain for weeks on end and not exactly warm either. It actually rained constantly for about 5 days with no stopping at all - and it was heavy!!!

Really had enough of it now - so many things to do around the house and garden - not to mention the boat and you can't do a thing!!!

I see they have had some pretty bad weather in the New York area as well so it's not just us!!!

prairie tuber · 02 August 2009, 06:13

We've also had an extremely rainy & cool summer here in Manitoba, however British Columbia is having a very hot & dry summer along with alot of large forest fires.

MikeP · 02 August 2009, 11:43

Tch, the english, eh, always obsessing about the weather :-)

I've actually been wondering about turning that on its head, and whether it's feasible to rig something up on a SIB that would be like a sunshade, but more of a rain-shade sort of an application to cope when the weather is 'showery' rather than constant rain.

Anyone attempted anything along those lines ?

1ThOFA87 · 02 August 2009, 12:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeP

Tch, the english, eh, always obsessing about the weather :-)

I've actually been wondering about turning that on its head, and whether it's feasible to rig something up on a SIB that would be like a sunshade, but more of a rain-shade sort of an application to cope when the weather is 'showery' rather than constant rain.

Anyone attempted anything along those lines ?

Here's one way...
see http://www.boatstogo.com/suncanopy_tent.asp
It's sold as a sun canopy but would be effective for rain although it looks like you couldn't use it while moving.

prairie tuber · 02 August 2009, 12:45

1ThOFA87,

What can you tell me of that tubular aluminum base for your seats? Did you purchase it already made, or was it custom fabricated by/for you? It looks very interesting.

If you search this forum for 'fishing' you' see a few posts on SIB modifactions for fishing.

codprawn · 02 August 2009, 13:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikep

tch, the english, eh, always obsessing about the weather :-)

i've actually been wondering about turning that on its head, and whether it's feasible to rig something up on a sib that would be like a sunshade, but more of a rain-shade sort of an application to cope when the weather is 'showery' rather than constant rain.

Anyone attempted anything along those lines ?

english?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1ThOFA87 · 02 August 2009, 13:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by prairie tuber

1ThOFA87,

What can you tell me of that tubular aluminum base for your seats? Did you purchase it already made, or was it custom fabricated by/for you? It looks very interesting.

If you search this forum for 'fishing' you' see a few posts on SIB modifactions for fishing.

It's an adjustable frame that's held in place by the fully inflated tubes on which you mount one of those economy seat pedastals and your seat of choice. It works great, it's very secure. They're even sold for two seats or a seat and a steering console.
Here's the link for them:
http://www.boatstogo.com/seating_platform.asp

1ThOFA87 · 02 August 2009, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1ThOFA87

It's an adjustable frame that's held in place by the fully inflated tubes on which you mount one of those economy seat pedastals and your seat of choice. It works great, it's very secure. They're even sold for two seats or a seat and a steering console.
Here's the link for them:
http://www.boatstogo.com/seating_platform.asp

Sorry, I meant to post a picture. Here's a pic of what it looks like fully assembled outside the boat.

MikeP · 03 August 2009, 12:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

english?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry, codders, given you were complaining about the weather, I assumed you were an english migrant - most native welsh people have pretty low expectations of the prevailing weather ;-)

[Did I get away with that explanation ? Hmmm, maybe not]....

MikeP · 03 August 2009, 12:46

1ThOFA87,

That canopy would certainly do the trick to keep the weather out..... might not be so easy to steer, though!

jimandsue60 · 05 August 2009, 21:42

I made an external frame like a white water river raft. It allows me many places to attach things. It assembles and comes apart in minutes. The ride seems to be cushioned more by using the tubes as shock absorbers. This frame allows for multiple seating arrangements. It may not be for everyone but it works well for me. I also use a trailer in a bag that completely disassembles so it fits in my motorhome along with the boat. My boat does have an air keel and high pressure floor, Achilles LSI-365.

1ThOFA87 · 06 August 2009, 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimandsue60

I made an external frame like a white water river raft. It allows me many places to attach things. It assembles and comes apart in minutes. The ride seems to be cushioned more by using the tubes as shock absorbers. This frame allows for multiple seating arrangements. It may not be for everyone but it works well for me. I also use a trailer in a bag that completely disassembles so it fits in my motorhome along with the boat. My boat does have an air keel and high pressure floor, Achilles LSI-365.

VERY NICE! It looks comfortable. I struggled to find good seating for my Saturn. I tried a couple of different sized coolers. The large igloo cooler was too tall but had a nice snap on cushion but the smaller one was just the right height but had no snap on pad. I had thought to use a seating frame like yours but couldn't concieve of how to secure it to the tubes. With it tied on like you have it, does it shift when the boat goes on or come off plane? I guess I'm less than confident with my knot tying skills.

jimandsue60 · 06 August 2009, 12:12

1ThOFA87, I use 1 inch cam lock straps to secure the frame in 6 spots. I added 4 d-rings to the boat. Once secured the frame does not move at all, even in bigger water. I think that the frame actually makes the boat a little more rigid. I tried several different coolers and could not find any that fit just right so I abandoned the cooler seat idea. I bought all the frame pieces parts and straps from NRS http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1178

Thanks
Jim

CJS · 07 August 2009, 17:12

Greatly impressed with those photos for seating arrangement - any suggetions for doing something similar with my Air floor Honwave T38?

It currently has two planks for seats and has a comfort factor of 0, after a 5 hour spin my arse felt like it had been thrashed.

I saw those folding seats and wondered if I could somehow attach them to the current seating arrangement?

1ThOFA87 · 07 August 2009, 17:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by CJS

Greatly impressed with those photos for seating arrangement - any suggetions for doing something similar with my Air floor Honwave T38?

It currently has two planks for seats and has a comfort factor of 0, after a 5 hour spin my arse felt like it had been thrashed.

I saw those folding seats and wondered if I could somehow attach them to the current seating arrangement?

You should be able to get a swivel platform for real cheap, bolt it to your seat plank and install your choice of seat.

oujakov · 07 August 2009, 17:48

I have a wood bech now.
I used to sit on the toolbox before. Tool box is actualy was not that bad, it kept things organized. In there I had a gas tank, battery, anchor w/line, flashlight and other small things.