Hi crew, Most of you would have seen my canoe modifacations on a previous post (  fishwrecked.com/forum/new-micro-dinghy  ) 

But i found a few problems over time using the canoe. To start with the seat i put in was unstable and almost put me in the drink a few times. It was also heavy and to move the boat around it would fall over and realy anoyed me . So i decided to suport the sides and create a new seat bracket.

I started with some aluminium tube, and by hand formed the curves i wanted to fit under the sides of the canoe.

I checked the tube on the sides to make sure i got them right.

Then i worked on the seat mount, deciding to just go with a standard plastic seat to keep to weight down.

The frame with the seat fitted, and agian checking that it will fit properly before putting it in.

It took a bit of work to get it in place but the frame went under the sides and was bolted in with stainless steel fittings. 

I think it went very well with the seat sitting just above the floor, and the side lost all the flex that had bothered me so much. The total weight of the aluminum and seat was almost the same as the seat and bracket i removed.

Next problem was the bottom. I have been draging it across carparks and gravel that was wearing out the plastic. So i got a couple trailer skids and using a very good quality glue, fitted them to the bottom .

I also used some stainless steel rivets to make sure they would not fail on me and come loose . They work realy well, and fully loaded with all my gear , the canoe glides over everything straight to the back of my Patrol, then loads inside with the seats folded down.

One problem i have had on the river, is other boats nearly running me over on dusk. One of my mates pointed out " well you did paint it camo " 

So the only way to sort this out was add some Nav lights, and if i'm going to carry a battery I may as well have a sounder. I Picked up a new one with downvision options for $220.

I got a small 7a/h battery and made an aluminium box to hold it, plus mount the sounder.

 I made it fit the small pocket at the front of the canoe so it is portable and can be taken out easily.

I put fuses in line, with two switches for the sounder and the nav lights. I can also charge the battery without opening the box. I made a mount for the transducer that clips on, so if i hit any logs it will not get damaged and can easily remove it for storage.

The rig all set up ready to go.

Ive been out a few time this week and all is good so far. The seat is a lot better and stable, the sounder works great and no one has run me over yet with the lights on after dark. Been getting heaps of Bream and sneaking around all the private jetty's without anyone bothering me, but thats another story to tell later. ( Report coming soon ) 

Cheers Grant ..

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