Milk Crate Hinges

I still suggest you zig zag stitch the lid on with quality 1/4" bungee.  It will keep the lid snug against the crate, pivot as you need it to, yet flexable when opening, and not be sloppy like zip ties will end up being.  What you will find using the zip ties, is that the lid to crate mating surface isn't exactly hinge pivot friendly.  You won't be getting anything smoother opening, or stronger using zip ties than you will with bungee.  The zip ties will have to be left loose so that you can actually open the lid, then it's going to be sloppy once it's open.   

You mean 550 cord?

Yes.

I still suggest you zig zag stitch the lid on with quality 1/4" bungee.  It will keep the lid snug against the crate, pivot as you need it to, yet flexable when opening, and not be sloppy like zip ties will end up being.  What you will find using the zip ties, is that the lid to crate mating surface isn't exactly hinge pivot friendly.  You won't be getting anything smoother opening, or stronger using zip ties than you will with bungee.  The zip ties will have to be left loose so that you can actually open the lid, then it's going to be sloppy once it's open.   

Maybe I am misunderstanding you.  Are you suggesting that I weave it in and out down the length of the pivoting side?  That sounds like a good idea. 

Not to make it difficult but you could always put a flex cuff (zip tie) on each side for strength and the criss cross bungee for a smooth hinge. Best of both worlds. I have used flex cuffs to fix everything...

Whatever you do I would be very interested in the pics!  

I still suggest you zig zag stitch the lid on with quality 1/4" bungee.  It will keep the lid snug against the crate, pivot as you need it to, yet flexable when opening, and not be sloppy like zip ties will end up being.  What you will find using the zip ties, is that the lid to crate mating surface isn't exactly hinge pivot friendly.  You won't be getting anything smoother opening, or stronger using zip ties than you will with bungee.  The zip ties will have to be left loose so that you can actually open the lid, then it's going to be sloppy once it's open.  

Maybe I am misunderstanding you.  Are you suggesting that I weave it in and out down the length of the pivoting side?  That sounds like a good idea.  

Yeppers.  Just to make it neat, and tidy try to do your end knots on the inside of the crate.
1/4" is flexible enough to give, and doubled in a zig zag/criss cross pattern it will be ubber strong.

Ok, I'm gonna do that, and I'll put a zip tie at each end just in case of snags.  Maybe that's overkill.  Can always cut it off later!

yeh, Lee, some folks call it that, meaning 550 cord. its the commercial name.

What about tipping the crate on its side so that the opening is towards your back?  You can still do the flexi-hinge with bungies to keep the gear inside, but the downrigger will be rigidly mounted.  The bonus is you can access your gear in the crate without having to deal with a lid that has a downrigger mounted to it.

What about tipping the crate on its side so that the opening is towards your back?  You can still do the flexi-hinge with bungies to keep the gear inside, but the downrigger will be rigidly mounted.  The bonus is you can access your gear in the crate without having to deal with a lid that has a downrigger mounted to it.

   That's a good idea YJ.  Especially if it's supplemented by some form of bracing across the opening, or even clear through so that it stays rigid.  Heck, you could even zip tie some chunks of pool noodle under the downrigger to add some flotation, just in case, as you probably wouldn't use all of the vertical area for typical gear.

~edit~
'nuther thought.  You could make the bracing out of those uber zip ties threaded through a length of pvc and situated inside the crate, functioning as columns+

Cool idea; however, we'll be using a 6 jug crate to make it.  Also, a 4 jug crate would have issues opening up against the back of the tankwell, and turning it the other way would make it impossible to reach.

Which kayak do you have?  I'm trying to visualize this...

What about using one of those dog food containers and putting some bungie s on the side of it to hold a Plano box on each side?  Use the inside to hold the narrow plano boxes, leader wraps, lunch, etc...

Well the whole point was to have storage, AND a sturdy mounting surface for the downrigger.  I don't think those containers would work.  Hopefully Rav and I will have time to rig it up Wednesday or Thursday. 

Picked up some quality bungee from REI last night.  They would not melt the ends as it was a health hazard though. 

Picked up some quality bungee from REI last night.  They would not melt the ends as it was a health hazard though.  

AYFKM?!? Damn hippies... I'm surprised they didn't say it would destroy the ozone.

Picked up some quality bungee from REI last night.  They would not melt the ends as it was a health hazard though. 

I cut my bungee with a putty knife.  I just heat up the blade tip with my little LP torch till it's crazy hot.  Then just cut/seal the bungee all in one shot. Sure it stinks, and is hazardous to breath, but so is walking outside.