Working on possibly developing a float to hold my GoPro

[coupe1942]

I would hardly call it a boat or skif, but I found this little shelf in a local thrift store and got it for a buck. My intent is to modify it by cutting it in half and then using some other lighter wood to allow it to float on the water and hold my GoPro camera as my SC with floats moves along and scoots the local ducks about in a pond near here. I'll actually cut the thing in half and also possibly cut it in the midline to make it smaller and easy for the SC to pull along. Originally I wanted a mount that would start out with the camera under water and allow it to be pulled up as I increased speed, but that presents too many potential issues of control or lack of to worry over at the moment. If this little craft is cut in half and reduced in height by half, it may work well for slow speed chases behind the SC in the pond.

Any rate, if it does not work, I have only put in a buck and some time for the project. I already have a couple of mounts that should hold the GoPro just above the edge of the boat/float and not impact the balance of it too much. It will be a trial and error process as I get it worked out a bit more. These photos are not showing the thing near completion, but only show the general idea of what the craft may look like as it progresses into some sort of floating mount.

I don't chase after the ducks to scare them, but behind them as they wade away from the SC. I enjoy floating like a boat on the water with the SC when it has it's floats attached.  This may not work out, as I have to replace the bottom wood, Which is too heavy, with a lighter wood and there is always issues of potential rocking of the float/boat as the SC gains speed.

Just an idea to ponder and I may well chuck it before I am done, as I am getting lazier and lazier at completing diy projects these days. However, it is at least started. Sure wish I could have come up with something that would have worked like a sleigh of some sort and would have had enough control to come out of the water in a controlled manner as it shot video behind the SC.

I'll make the sides watertight and it will be finished out much better than shown in these photos when finished.

[hghost]

For a Buck.....that's great

[coupe1942]

Got a few things done on this diy float skiff camera mount. May not look like much, but it was more than one would think. I need to finish cutting down the back piece. I'll actually cut it in half in height to save some weight. I may do the same on the bottom wood of the floor, too. I have to do some tacking and some gluing to put all the pices together and make it water tight. I have a special mount to use to install for the camera. I'll use fishline to drag this float behind my SC as I chase after those ducks at a slow speed on the water. Hoping it won't rock over or take a nose dive, so I'd start out at a very slow speed to see if I actually have any control at all on the float boat. This may or may not work, but either way it should be fun to give a try. Have to give it a try and see what happens. Thrying to save overall weight every way that I can on this small float boat project. May have to fabricate a rudder to have some control, but not for sure. The cut that was off on the back piece will be eliminated once I trim that piece in half.

[Knackered Sailor]

Fun project. May I suggest you fit a small keel under it to help prevent it skittering all over the place.

[coupe1942]

That is an idea to ponder over, for sure. Thanks.

[coupe1942]

I need to sand this coat of yellow paint and reapply another, but this was just to see how it may look. Got more work to do before it is complete.  I had it in a couple of inches of water in my sink for maybe 3-4 hours and no leaks noted and the boat didn't rock about much or sink the camera. I did add a small keel to it underneath for stability. Lots to do, but just piddling with the idea. I am not sure how much fishline I'll add to attach it to the SC with floats on the plane. The metal camera mount is from Eye of Mine. They don't make that mount anymore, but it is great for different uses. However this is not one, as I want the camera inside it's protective housing so that if it gets dunked, then the camera is protected. I just used the Eye of Mine mount to hold the camera for some photos and to see what the camera may look like in the boat. It may be sitting too low and get some of the bow as video is shot, so I'll have to play about with some mounting ideas to ensure I can get more of the back of the plane showing instead of the inside of the boat when video is shot. The higher the camera is, the more likely it can be a problem for stability on the boat though. Have to play about and see what happens. No where near done though.

[hghost]

Nice Job Coupe