DIY Fiberglass Rod Pod lid

Thanks for that great Duckworks site info. Super prices on items I needed.

Anyone tried those nylon poprivets?

Update.  I have had a few trips on the water now with the new rod pod lid.  I feel it made a huge improvement to the sturdiness of the center area of the kayak.  By having the lid reach down both sides of the lip opening, it completely removes the option of the sidewall of the opening from caving in under weight.  The lid is rigid enough for me to stand on, yet still only a fraction heavier than the original plastic lid.  The seal is also crazy tight, beingst that the lid has no flex whatsoever once it is strapped down.  I have also have noticeably more side to side leg room now, as I knocked off nearly an inch of lid width on each side.

Oh, I have not been easy on the paint either and it is holding up like it was part of the lid from the beginning.  No cracks, or chips yet.  Only normal scuffs that gives it character.  

My next upgrade to the lid will be to order and install a 6" round twist off hatch to the center of the lid.  Also, since I keep my fishing lures and such inside the yak, I am coming up with some narrower storage units that will be able to fit easily through this 6" hatch opening, thus reducing the need to open the entire hatch just to get something out once I have the poles out.  

I am considering making a new lid for the front hatch as well, and molding in a sail mounting mast to it. The new lid will have a tighter fit than the factory plastic hatch, and will be stronger and more rigid than the kayak itself.

Stop it!  You are motivating me.  I'm already too busy.

Stop it!  You are motivating me.  I'm already too busy.

wait till you guys see what i've done with this! still in the works. Similar build but, well, perhaps i'm the only one really excited with the outcome.  The first time i've ever worked with fiber before too. its sloppy but should be perfectly functional once the resin cures.



INSAYN - how many layers did you do for the lip-ring area?  sounds like the entire top got at least 5 layers, and i figure mine will have at least 4.  After making my pattern for the lid, it looks like i'm going to need more fabric!

I think I did 3 layers at first on the lip area.  Then when I cleaned it up with the sander, I obviously thinned some of the areas a bit.  I went back and laid down material on the backside to build it back up to a reasonable thickness to continue with.  The top was 4 layers when I laid it flat on the UHMW before cutting it out.  Then it was 2 or 3 more layers to glass it to the lip piece on the top surface and two more on the underside to secure the inner lip surface to the top piece.  

You should see mine now that I have added a 6" center hatch.  And BTW, it works SWEET!   I went out to Hagg Thursday with my ocean tackle and played around with how my smaller tackle bags go through the hole while in the seated position.  I tethered an 18" piece of 3/16" bungee between the base of the hatch and the lid itself.  This allowed me to snap my tackle bags, water bottle, etc to the bungee and everything comes to the door when I pull the lid.  I don't need so dang much stuff on deck any more!  I was tossing everything down the hole to see if it would fit.  Fish bonker, rod holders, shoes, hat, sunglasses, etc.... down the hatch.

Oh, and I went with a different 6" hatch than discussed earlier in this thread. Went with one from Marinesurplusinc.com.  Works similar to the Hobie style with the single lift/twist latch. Mounted in perfectly.

thats a slick lil hatch! was thinking last night i might do the same plus a bag after I thought about how much i ended up using the old cup holder for storing lures/plastics that were next in line for use.

here's my Part 2!! just put down the first layer

here's my Part 2!! just put down the first layer

I see nothing.  Did you post a picture? 

Hi Insayn,
Good Job on the new lid! For that application a little "Heavy Duty" was just what it needed. Great pictures and lots of inspiration for all of us DIY types.
Thanks,
David

here's my Part 2!! just put down the first layer

I see nothing.  Did you post a picture? 

guess the other pic link didn't work... it still shows up for me, but that's probably due to cashe

how about now?

Nope.  Try loading it on Photobucket.

uhhhh , nope, sorry...

Oh, and I went with a different 6" hatch than discussed earlier in this thread. Went with one from Marinesurplusinc.com.  Works similar to the Hobie style with the single lift/twist latch. Mounted in perfectly.

Doh! They didn't have any 8 or 10 inchers.  Great find though.  I like that style. 
-Craig

was just trying to avoid uploading it a second time. oh well. i'll just attach it here