Making a rescue sled for a waverunner?

Nak · Since 19 May 2005 4240 Posts Camas Site Lackey **CGKA Member**

I'm wondering how hard this would be? They're made similar to a boogie board, seems like layers of semi stiff foam? These things retail for $1000 to $1800 which is a lot more than I want to spend.

I'm not thinking taking this into big surf at all, so it doesn't have to be as bomber construction as those. Main use would be a cargo sled to carry kiteboarding gear. Second use would be to rescue kiters in trouble. I was one of the waverunner volunteers last year at KBFC, and it seems that something like this would be perfect for that.

Anyone have an idea how doable/hard this would be? Where would I start?

Thanks!

Nic · Since 21 Jul 2008 109 Posts Bend, Oregon Stoked

This board isn't as big but they work great and take a beating. Relatively cheap. The second one is inflatable but still holds up pretty well.

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1870&deptid=1071

http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=1868&deptid=1071

Nak · Mon Jun 08, 09 11:44 am

Thanks! I wonder how well these would take to being mounted to the 'ski? They'd need to have mounts added at 3 points which would rule out the inflatable. The first one is a possibility though. I'd prefer to make something bigger, but I really don't know what's involved...

Nic · Since 21 Jul 2008 109 Posts Bend, Oregon Stoked

You could tie off the D ring and two front handles on the inflatable. Or Get a blank and put some mounts and handles on it.

http://www.foamez.com/marko-foam-body-board-blank-p-679.html

Bettyboarder · Mon Jun 08, 09 12:04 pm

You could make something like this but smaller...see the tow thing they used

http://www.schoepski.com/states/illinois/hydrotrailer/camp.htm

Nak keep me posted I have thought of trying to build something like this for a while

skilja · Since 02 Jan 2008 75 Posts

I'd bet Stringy could be of help putting that together. From what I've read, he has some impressive fabrication skills.
http://pskite.org/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3251&p=21027&hilit=kite+bike#p21027

DROCK999 · Since 31 May 2007 852 Posts Left Coast Opinionated

I'd rather just buy a life sled (www.lifesled.com), usually rescue sleds are much bigger/heavier/floatier/durable than any body board you're going to find. but if you still want to make your own a bully board may give you what you need http://www.bullyboard.com/buffalo.htm

bwd · Since 04 Aug 2007 385 Posts Obsessed

If you build one yourself, just keep in mind that pressure on a planing surface
rises with the square of velocity, (or something like that)
so if the sled is loaded and you blip the throttle a sec too long,
you will find out if it is strong enough fairly quickly!
If you exercise restraint when there are peeps or gear on it, though,
I bet you could go a lot lighter/cheaper than the $$$ ones.

Vankiter · Since 24 Jun 2007 34 Posts Canvouver

Low budget option: plywood covered with indoor-outdoor carpet. Add some board handles or loops of webbing or rope for something to hang on to. Similar items have been "ridden" towed behind boats when...well, just for the hell of it.

Nak · Mon Jun 08, 09 9:30 pm

Thanks for all the input everybody. Unfortunately, none of the alternatives are really what I want. Yeah, I'd like to buy a LifeSled, but it's not in the budget. I'm gonig to try and make one if I can figure out how. I'm thinking foam layers with possibly fiberglass in between. I'm not sure if fiberglass will be flexible enough? Also, I need some sort of base.

PDXF · Since 10 Sep 2008 116 Posts Stoked

Why do you want it to flex? I would think being rigid would allow for more weight capacity.

Diggy · Since 25 Nov 2006 342 Posts Gorge to Coast Obsessed

Nak · Tue Jun 09, 09 4:50 pm

Thanks Diggy! I was thinking Foam layers, but hadn't thought about Polycarbonate... I know NSI carries some foam, but I'm not sure what size sheets they have. Do you know where I could get the Polycarbonate sheets? Also, what would you use to glue the layers together?

Nak · Tue Jun 09, 09 4:52 pm

kitezilla · Since 22 Jun 2006 453 Posts gorge Obsessed

How about towing a polyethylene John boat? $800.

http://www.directboats.com/20in12jonbo.html

If the Jetski breaks down, you could row it back.

Mark · Wed Jun 10, 09 8:05 am

What about a sheet of plywood (fiberglassed) with a layer of foam on top?

Nak · Wed Jun 10, 09 8:23 am

I think the plywood wood work for a cargo only sled. I'd like to avoid something that hard for the rescue mission though. Plus, Plywood wood be a lot heavier; I want to be able to handle this thing in & out of the truck & be able to toss it on top of other gear.

Layers of foam should be stiff enough, & maybe add some aluminum stringers if I can find some info on bonding them to the foam. (The LifeSleds use aluminum stringers...)