Kayak Lantern
In the movie 'Master and Commander' there is a memorable scene where in order to escape from a persueing French Navy vessel, a decoy is made by fitting a stern lantern on top of a raft. This scene inspired the idea of securing a lantern to the back of a kayak, using a tripod made from empty beverage cans, so it can be seen while kayaking at night.
Supplies
Battery powered lantern
Three, 1/4 inch bolts and nuts
Plastic crate top
Aluminium beverage cans
Cord
Glue
Tape
Tripod
A Tripod was made from aluminum beverage cans as described in making a camera tripod:
https://www.instructables.com/Tripod-for-Pinhole-Camera/
Use tape to make the legs ridged. The feet of the legs are fixed to a base, made from the top of a plastic storage crate.
Attaching the Lantern
To attach a lantern to to tripod use the 'ring thing' from a pull off tin can top. Cut one of the sides with wire cutters so the string can slip through. This makes a simple shackle, allowing the lantern to he easily attached and removed from the tripod.
Securing the Legs
The feet of the tripod legs need to be fixed to the plastic base so there is no movement. This was done by:
*Inserting a few loops of cord into the hollow tube feet and glueing in.
*Drilling three, 1/4 inch holes in the plastic base.
*Eliminating 'play' in the loops of cord which are attached to the base with 1/4 inch bolts and nuts using tape - as shown in the photos.
*Inserting a few loops of cord into the hollow tube feet and glueing in.
*Drilling three, 1/4 inch holes in the plastic base.
*Eliminating 'play' in the loops of cord which are attached to the base with 1/4 inch bolts and nuts using tape - as shown in the photos.
Attaching to a Kayak
The base is attached to the back of a kayak using the kayak's hatch straps.
Storage
The beauty of this kayak tripod is it can be made flat for storage. Just remove the lantern from the shackle, unscrew the nut from the middle bolt and fold down flat.