BillsBayou
Chumono
I found this at Academy Sports and I can't wait to try it out in the swamps. It's a Shappell Jet Sled. It can be towed behind an ATV, a canoe, or just dragged behind an idiot collecting bald cypress in the swamp. I got the photo HERE where you can get the sled for $10 less than Academy, but I have no idea what the shipping cost will be.
I don't know the displacement or floating load limit, but a quick measurement makes me think I could haul up to 300lbs in open water. However, I collect in muck, knee-covered tracks, and water just shallow enough for the sled to sink. I'll keep the load below 200lbs. One adaptation I'll do is to put a broom handle inside the front wall with holes drilled to match the holes you can see on the sled, thread a rope through the pre-drilled holes, through the broom handle holes, and tie knots to hold the broom handle in place. This will reduce the stress on the tub by spreading the tow-load across the length of the handle and not just two knots behind those two holes. (anyone want the story on how I learned to do that?)
The sled is designed for dragging and has a thick wall. I've used two different tubs to float/drag trees out of the swamp. The first is the "Super Tub", a 23-gallon black plastic tub that is great for training monsters. It sucks at hauling them out. As soon as I put a beast into the tub, the tub broke into two pieces. I've also used the large 20-gallon mortar tub from Home Depot. I zip-tied pool noodles around the outer rim to aid in floating load and floating stability. A monster can crack it, but the tub will hold up enough to give you dragging options. I also had a tub break when the top of a tree broke off and nearly hit me in the head. (I have that on video somewhere...)
Both of the tubs I used were less than $13 each. The Shappell Jet Sled is $55 at Academy Sports. It has a design and thickness that makes me think it's worth the money. If it doesn't survive the swamp dig, I'll have a friend take a photo of me in the swamp holding up the pieces. Mistakes are where you learn.
Mid 50s at sunrise tomorrow at 6:53am. 80% chance of rain. Time to put this sled to the test!
Two friends tell me they'll meet me tomorrow at 6:45. I'll take their measure if it's storming raining. Who's crazy enough to go out there with crazy me, and who's scared of a little thunderstorm. We're all married, so the wives may get some of the blame
I don't know the displacement or floating load limit, but a quick measurement makes me think I could haul up to 300lbs in open water. However, I collect in muck, knee-covered tracks, and water just shallow enough for the sled to sink. I'll keep the load below 200lbs. One adaptation I'll do is to put a broom handle inside the front wall with holes drilled to match the holes you can see on the sled, thread a rope through the pre-drilled holes, through the broom handle holes, and tie knots to hold the broom handle in place. This will reduce the stress on the tub by spreading the tow-load across the length of the handle and not just two knots behind those two holes. (anyone want the story on how I learned to do that?)
The sled is designed for dragging and has a thick wall. I've used two different tubs to float/drag trees out of the swamp. The first is the "Super Tub", a 23-gallon black plastic tub that is great for training monsters. It sucks at hauling them out. As soon as I put a beast into the tub, the tub broke into two pieces. I've also used the large 20-gallon mortar tub from Home Depot. I zip-tied pool noodles around the outer rim to aid in floating load and floating stability. A monster can crack it, but the tub will hold up enough to give you dragging options. I also had a tub break when the top of a tree broke off and nearly hit me in the head. (I have that on video somewhere...)
Both of the tubs I used were less than $13 each. The Shappell Jet Sled is $55 at Academy Sports. It has a design and thickness that makes me think it's worth the money. If it doesn't survive the swamp dig, I'll have a friend take a photo of me in the swamp holding up the pieces. Mistakes are where you learn.
Mid 50s at sunrise tomorrow at 6:53am. 80% chance of rain. Time to put this sled to the test!
Two friends tell me they'll meet me tomorrow at 6:45. I'll take their measure if it's storming raining. Who's crazy enough to go out there with crazy me, and who's scared of a little thunderstorm. We're all married, so the wives may get some of the blame
