pimping the cooler, year 2

lake fishing/surf fishing cooler/gear station/cart. have some cheapo harbor freight soft tires to swap out for surf fishing. added cutting board this year...turns out 1k yard spools fit the cupholders just right. I've also got some shock cord and cord locks to quick attach/release of the spools for transport, but the bolts & t-nuts are sturdier. don't usually need the extra line cause I've got it in my tackle bag but better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

still holds 5 rods. added Yeti pouch my son gave me to the handle for fishing license, notebook, phone, etc.. put a couple rolled up hand towels under center of cutting board to support extra weight. room for small to medium live bait bucket with aerator inside bucket or cooler.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6012&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6013&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6014&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6015&stc=1

Looks good,going to rig rod/tackle box holder on my cube cooler also,

One thing I'm working on is testing whether a handle extension makes a difference. None of the rods hit me when I pull it...I _think_ I just want the handle a little higher so am testing that out.

I've got some ideas for a highly modular commercial system...If only I were 20 years younger...

The pneumatic tires (10", 6 bucks each from harbor freight) are now installed (right now being held on with cable ties...need a couple hitch pins). Takes a 5/8" axle. Bought a 36" steel rod from home depot. It turns out that 5/8" fits perfectly in a 3/4" CPVC (not sched 40) pipe, so I got some of that to use as a sleeve through the cooler. Drilled it out a tad small then used a small 'rasp' bit in the drill to gently widen the hole til the CPVC went through. It's almost level but ended up a tad off...still prob closer than gov't work. Sealing this up in several layers of marine sealant/epoxy. Dry fit the axle and wheels, then cut the rod down to size with cut off wheel in angle grinder, and that was just about that except for the pin holes in the axle. Added a bottle opener, some extra D rings inside and out (because what the hell).

The wheels of course raise the back a good bit so I'm going to mount some sched 40 1 1/2 or 1 1/4 to the bottom front as a rest to keep it balanced when on more level, firm ground. It will be sealed on one end and have a cleanout plug on the other and I will fill it with some spare parts, batteries, extra rod and field repair stuff. Maybe sometimes even a spare mag. Or two :O

It pulls and pushes well in my dry runs. I'm doing multiple coats of sealer and epoxy in the right spots so will wait a bit before I water test it. I'm experimenting with the handlebars and may attach them and field when I'm down there in mid-May. Only other thing I'm thinking about is adding a red led or two to the inside lid to assist with various nocturnal activities, including but not limited to fishing.



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My "pimped cooler, not done yet.
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6079&stc=1

Putting the rod holders at an angle stops them from hitting you.

$50 total. I wish I went with the bigger cooler for $10 more.

More width is usually better (least that's what my ex wife always said).

Final mods. I'm done. Thought about going with a fancier mounted light inside but that would violate my scrounging, cheapskate rule and I already spent almost the initial cost of the cooler on the rod holders + wheels.

The clip headlamp has a decently bright red as well as a white mode so it works nicely lighting up the inside while preserving night vision.

The front rest is 1 1/4" PVC and gives it just enough of a back tilt that should help facilitate draining (plug is in the rear). It can also be filled with extra supplies. I'm going to put cable ties and stuff in there, and maybe some extra rod/reel repair supplies...spare batteries maybe. Don't know if it's sturdy enough to last but we'll see. Works at the lake up here so far.

Headed down the 10th for a proper field test.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6085&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=6086&stc=1

I like that well done

looks good,I have some 1 1/4" or 1 1/2" pvc and will make my own rod holds,just need to pu some stainless screws and washers this weekend

Ok so I'm down here for a couple more days. So far the cooler and mods have passed the field test very well...better than I expected, really.

The heavier axel and wheels w/pneumatic tires have taken some punishment going up and down steps, and have performed very well...including in dry sand and packed sand. I flattened the tires a little, not too much.

I ended up bolting a large magnet to the underside of the cutting board so that I could work with hooks and such and they'd stay put.

One flaw in my configuration: I have three rod holders on the front and two on the back, one on each side of the handle. However, they sit too low so when the cooler is tilted while walking the rod butts in the rear holders bind on the ground. Also a problem when going up and down stairs. When I get home, I'm moving them to the front.

Otherwise, all good. My current walk to my fishing spot is 200-300 yards. About half pavement, half sand/beach. This allows to take all essential gear, and more than I used to be able to carry between me and one partner.

When I started down this road I had been considering a big fishing backpack with rod holders but decided I needed to be able to carry more rods, and that my old, tired ass needed to spend more time fishing and less time wrestling my gear.

I think the cooler is just the right size for equipping 1-3 people in most surf or shore situations, and plan on finding a couple more of these kind to build out with/for my boys.

I like the magnet idea , Will have to remember that.

Alright so after putting the cooler through it's paces, I made a couple of changes:

1. Moved the two rear rod holders to front. Rod butts were dragging the ground when tipping the cooler to push or pull it. That was happening around here so I rigged a temp solution down there so that they wouldn't seat so far down in the holders, but that caused other inconveniences.

2. When going down steep steps, such as on a boardwalk, the rod holders on the back and the lack of skid plates made lowering it down the steps (like I used to do with hand trucks back in the day) didn't work so I had to get in front and ease it down. Not much to grab on to underneath so I thought a handle was in order. I ended up getting a hard rubber cleat and screwing that into the bottom just in case I ever need to do this again. Figured it might also be a good attachment point for a stringer when lake fishing.

Will probably fabricate rod holders from PVC going forward, making sure to rout out and smooth over reel slots with a dremel or grinder. Travels much better if the rods can't spin and twist.

Been looking around for other similar coolers cause both my boys want one and would be a good project to do with them, but can't find this model or similar, and the newer models feel too flimsy or aren't configured like I want. I had a few older coolers and picked this one cause it was just the right size and orientation.

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