Making a new dive flag?

[Mike W]

I also made a float out of an innertube around a milk crate. It was great to have with camera equipment, but I gotta tell you, it was pulling the Queen Mary around!!!!!!

 

[Walter]

I would use a standard float for that very reason, but I really like the rest of it.

 

[RIOceanographer]

I am holding out for a large self propelled dive flag float that I can ride out to the dive sites. The main disadvantages of this type of float are that you need a trailer to get it to the water, it is expensive to own and maintain and sanding and painting it each season can be a pain.

 

[Danny D]

An inboard or outboard self propelled flag float haha

 

[spectrum]

Red Lycra, Like a Fusion skin.

Pete

I would be concerned with painting or wrapping it.

As the tube deflates and inflates (gas expansion from solar heating and cooling) the paint will crack, peel, and then start looking crappy after a while (sooner than later).
I have had nothing but bad luck when trying to paint anything flexible with all sorts of paint types (including flexible oil based paints).
Also be careful, some paints will deteriorate the rubber which will result in your float turning into a sink.

Wrapping it will make it look like a mess when it starts deflating as I could imagine various problems with that too, but it would be better than paint hands down.

I have seen some places that sell red heavy duty inter-tubes similar to material that kick balls are made out of. Can't really remember where I saw them otherwise I would send you a link. I do think they were at some educational supply site under P.E. items.

Good luck!

 

[David Sutton]

The float worked perfect!! stayed upright and pulling it was a brezze! the guys in the boat said they could see it real good no matter how far away from the my boat i was.

 

[mark_the_singer]

Nice. I have only one question:

Where can we purchase contact mines so we can make our own versions?

 

[trappist]

The float worked perfect!! stayed upright and pulling it was a brezze! the guys in the boat said they could see it real good no matter how far away from the my boat i was.

mmmmm looks like the Dave C buoy there, next to your flag

Your dive flag really looks good ! I love to see DIY stuff an learn or actually get ideas from people that are (much) more creative than I am

Nice work !

 

[David Sutton]

Thank you !

 

[Walter]

Have you tried anything with the sleeve yet?