Portable Modification Recap and Pictures!!!

[live_2_fish]

Man does that look fun. I will be getting my license the 23,(well hopefully getting it) and I am planning on going next year.

[tchow]

I have both the Eskimo QuikFlip I & II. Would like to do the mods as shown in previous post. My question is, "How much weight does it add on the Sleds?(Wood and Carpeting)

Not worried about pulling it as I have a Quad to do that.Problem is I store these in my basement currently and have to haul it up and down the stair to get them out. Down is really easy but going up is a chore

[jonnyICE-MAN]

I have the Eskimo quick flip III and I just got done modifying it, it turned out pretty awesome. I actually extanded the hight of my sled so it's 17" deep then covered it with plywood on top and carpeted it. With a trap door for my big buddy heater my tank stores undernieth as well, it will hold everything two guys would need plus. I have a boatseat on each side that flip up to access our gear, and in the center wich is fixed (screwed down) I have a cut-out for my minnowbucket to set in, plus I built a box undernieth and around the minnowbucket just deep enough and long enough to hold up to three vex batteries to run lights, cig. lighter, misc.

I wish I had the knowhow to put pics on here but my brain copacity only allows me to think and create not to apply or something like that anyway.

As far as wieght goes, it's about the wieght of a sheet of plywood extra, which is nothing when it's allready full of gear. I needed a wheeler to pull it before so what the heck I might as well be organized and comfy to right?

[Sandmannd]

Hey jonnyICE-MAN, can you email me pics of your mod at [email protected] so I can see it. I'm going to be modding mine in a couple of weeks and can always use ideas if you don't mind me picking your brain a little.

[stmichael]

jonnyICE-MAN,

Please send me pictures also, I have been trying to figure out a mod strategy as well. Just not quite sure how to configure my items.

[email protected]

Thank you,

[jonnyICE-MAN]

I'll do my best to get you guy's some pics this weekend.

[kingkidfisher4431]

I finished my mods recently... Put a base of plywood in my eskimo quickflip 2 and made 4 cutouts... First is a boxed in cuoutout with one side partially open to slip rods in and store takle, second is a semi round hole that alows this minnowbucket to dang near sit flush with wood, third is a round cutout for my 11 lb propane tank to stand upright it, and fourth is a square boxed in hole that was for my heater but it wont lide in under seat... So i think ill use that one for vex and lunch misc stuff. And finally im in the process of figuring out how to mount my rope lights on the inside of my portable. But all in all it turned out good... What do you all think about me leaving it not carpeted, will it rot??? Any ideas input appreciated!

[DEADhead]

if you're not going to carpet it I'd suggest at least putting on a coat or two of some cheap polyeurethane especially if you get minnow juice or fish guts on the wood...

[TeddyBoy]

I just finished modifying my Frabill XL-Twin and contemplated not carpeting it. I'm glad I decided to do it because the carpet gives it a nice finished/professional look. It will also do a good job of protecting the wood.

[gvg_uwec]

Ted-

Would it be possible to see a pic or two of that mod. I have an XLTwin also and would appreciate a look. Thanks

[TeddyBoy]

Here are some pics of my modifications of a Frabill XL-Twin. It is mostly constructed out of 3/8" plywood. The corners are joined with aluminum angles. I also made a wood I-beam for strength which slides perfectly in to the groove in the sled base. I have to pull it by hand so weight is important. All in all it adds about 20 lbs. It can be completely removed in seconds and stays put while in place. I installed two switches. One runs the LED lights and the other runs two fans I that I added to blow heat around the shack. I also added a power outlet for my spotlight or for charging cell phones or ipods.

I haven't tried it on the ice yet but am confident it will perform well. It took me about 1-week of after work hours of trial and error to come up with the design and build it. It was a fun project and I think it will help me be more organized and efficient on the ice. Hope you enjoy...

[deepportage01]

Dude, That is one nice mod, I hope you don't mind if I copy it,I like the open space between the seats

[Matt Johnson]

Looks good TeddyBoy! Sweet rig!

[so haaad]

Nice mods! Do you have any pictures of your LED light setup?

[fishing is hot]

I was at the portable modification day. It was a great time despite the weather. Chris and Adam are great guys, even though Adam has a fetish for monkeys at Como Park. There was a guy there that had led bulb holders made out of PVC pipe that clamped onto the poles of your fish trap or otter. Does anyone how to get a hold of him?

[SomethingFishy*]

Nice job on the mod. I think I'm going to have to do my lodge.

[Sandmannd]

Out of PVC would be very interesting to see.

[TeddyBoy]

Thank you for all the compliments.

Here is a pic of my LED setup. It consists of (2) 4" round 54 LED lights zip-tied to the poles. I'm sure it is similar to other systems out there. I chose not to run the wires in the poles because I was afraid of stripping a wire when collapsing. I'm very pleased with the amount of light they throw off. I have them directed over the holes but they illuminate the whole shack. They are bright enough to tie knots and run forever using a Vex battery. I got the idea from last winter's LED thread.

[gvg_uwec]

Wow! that is the perfect set up for an XLTwin!

As soon as I saw it the wheels in my head started spinning big time! Now i just have to find the time to build the mods. Thanks again for the pics!

[c cord]

FISHING IS HOT e-mail me at [email protected] for info on

pvc light fixtures.

Dan

[DEADhead]

I finally finished getting the insert I had in mind for my portable fabricated and wired. I attached some indoor/outdoor carpet I had left over from my front porch.

The plywood was untreated, 3/4". It would be next to impossible to countersink the plywood and leave enough strength to install the switched I wanted, so I fabricated a switch plate out of scrap aluminum. The insert is mounted a few inches below the lip of the sled, which still allows the seat rails and the accessory tray to slide freely over the insert.

I installed brass plates to use as a junction for the ground and power source, so that I only had to run two wires to and from the battery. From the junction I have the leads running to a fuse block or inline fuse, and then to the switches. I have two 6' LED rope lights I installed along the pole hoops on the ceiling. I am waiting for my brother in law to bring me two 12V computer fans (pulled from scrap computers) over thanksgiving. I will finish the ceiling with the reflective shielding similar to what nytelyter has installed in his portable.

[caster]

Since I just figured out how to post pictures, I thought I would share my portable mods.

I like using my snowmobile to travel longer distances using ditches and trails to go from lake to lake. The problem was how do I keep everything from moving around in the sled. I started by positioning the auger in the sled and then fitting in everything around it. I use the buckets to hold my lantern & Aqua-Vu. I put bubble wrap in the bottom to keep them from getting beat up. I use a small 11 lb LP tank and a small aerated & sealed bait bucket. When the shack is folded down, I place my LX-5 and Revolution rod bag on top of the bench. When the cover is on, I use two bungee straps to keep the LX-5 & rod bag from moving around and falling off.

I think the best thing I did was add the insulation. It's a very minor mod that makes a huge difference beyond just holding in the heat.

I have cruised across Mille Lacs (no faster than 50 though) and with the drifting, I was really worried about the Aqua-Vu. So far, I have not had a problem with anything getting broken from bouncing across the ice.

This next picture shows how I hid the hand auger out of the way under the bench. The poles are strapped down right in front for easy access.

Insulation

[walldoggie]

Deadhead_ Where did you get those 12v power outlets, that is exactly what i am looking for. Thanks

[DEADhead]

walmart. They are the truck bed 12V power outlets. The inside of the spring loaded lid has a foam liner. They seemed like they would keep water and other debris (like sawdust from waxies) out the best. I needed to countersink the back of my insert though so that I could have more threads to tighten the backing ring onto.

[Paul Waldowski]

You can also get those plugs at Checker Auto. I have picked up several of them there.