Fish trough construction plans/advice?
mattakfish
2014-02-19 19:23:35
A friend is helping me weld up a new fish cleaning trough once I put together some plans. Right now, I use one of those cheap, blue troughs which is often too small among other issues.
I usually clean fish while in the pit and the trough is mounted on the aft edge of one of the totes I use for checker. This new trough would be in the same spot.
I've been checking out various versions around town and some pictures on the site. I like the idea of an outer trough of aluminum with a UHMW liner....and portable so I could hang it on the edge of either the stbd or port checker/tote as needed. One question I have is whether I could heat up one piece of UHMW to bend it to fit the aluminum or would I need to cut separate sides/bottom.
Any measurements/plans/suggestions would be welcome!
Thanks!
What's wrong with just aluminum, why do you need the plastic?
mattakfish
2014-02-19 22:07:25
Good point. I was originally thinking just aluminum but I've seen a few with the plastic. Not sure why its there but maybe helps keep the fish from sliding around as much? At the same time, I could imagine some crud building up between the aluminum and the plastic during the season.
Kelper
2014-02-20 03:09:55
I just built mine out of wood. Not the prettiest thing in the world, but wood works and it usually takes about 3 beers to get one done.
mattakfish
2014-02-20 04:28:47
Well, being a relatively new fisherman, it will probably take me at least four :D
Salty
2014-02-20 05:31:05
Aluminum is fine. I have the plastic which is dine too.
fveureka
2014-03-02 19:06:41
Cleaner sits between pit and killchecker
Salty
2014-03-03 19:25:09
[attachment=0]Starboard side, gurdies, blocks, etc..jpg[/attachment]
Salty
2014-03-03 19:30:59
[attachment=0]Eric & Erin cleaning salmon.jpg[/attachment]
Salty
2014-03-03 19:33:39
[attachment=0]Cleaning station in use.JPG[/attachment]
Salty
2014-03-03 19:35:27
These pics should give you some help. The main thing is to make it as simple, ergonomic, and easy to use and clean as possible. Good luck.
mattakfish
2014-03-04 05:09:16
Thanks for the picts! Thats a big help.
ironpaso
2014-03-07 06:33:00
Hey, what about stainless if you want to be able to clean and have it durable. Just an old welder's point of view. Harry
Salty
2014-03-09 13:26:23
Might be great, little heavy, expensive?
I've owned stainless cleaning troughs before and they were great. They were relatively thin gauge stainless which made them lighter than wood troughs, easier to clean, and basically unbreakable. I highly recommend stainless.
Aluminum can be a pain to clean dried blood and gurry from and oxidizes quickly in salt water environments.
Wood absorbs water and bacteria, abrades, falls apart, requires toxic paint, difficult to clean, is unsanitary, etc.
Salty
2014-03-09 18:10:16
Wood absorbs water and bacteria, abrades, falls apart, requires toxic paint, difficult to clean, is unsanitary, etc.
Wow, great post, I agree with the above, that is why we went to plastic in the trough where the fish lay. I am going out to the local welding shop and seeing about the cost of SS tomorrow.
ironpaso
2014-03-09 23:44:08
If you get a piece of thinner gauge stainless and then have it formed on a brake press you can also increase the rigidity and keep the weight down. A couple of formed stiffners at the ends and you can also use the legs of the stiffners to mount the trough. I wish I was up there to help with the project. Harry
Once and Future
2014-03-10 01:02:40
Ironpaso, actually, a stainless fish trough is something that would ship quite easily to Alaska. If someone gave you some dimensions, you could be involved with the project. Now, try to find 2 guys who give you the same dimensions! Different stainless alloys throw me for a loop. I'm sure you would know which one word work in the brake (break?) without cracking.
ironpaso
2014-03-10 04:05:33
I will look for my alloy book and see what I can come up with. Also if you add 2 inches to your desired final dimension you can have a hem formed on each end to add strength. I no longer have access to the wide assortment of machines I once had but may still be able to help. Let's get some dimensions and see what we can design. Harry
Once and Future
2014-03-11 23:40:04
My cleaning trough is due for an overhaul (or replacement). But I am a few states away from it right now so can't come up with measurements for you. First critical measurement would be from where nose of fish touches the end-stop, to the cut-outs in the trough that admit the knife for gill removal. Second critical measurement is overall length, to accommodate larger kings without being overly bulky. Third critical thought is where will rinse water exit the trough. (In my case I don't want water coming back towards me as I am standing in the cockpit while cleaning.)
mattakfish
2014-03-14 06:24:49
Just finished my trough with the help of a friend who has welding skills and some spare aluminum. I combined the features of a couple of local examples. I was originally going to make it 28 inches but decided to go for 36 overall to accommodate the big kings (too optimistic?) but I cut a notch on both sides at 28. It has quite a low, long cut out for the gills and a stop at the head-end. Hopefully the stop is not to low....and hopefully the low cut-out will make taking the gills out a little easier. The sides are about 5 inches high.I chose not to cut slots in the bottom with the the idea that it will mean less slime and blood on the deck. If I get a few more projects done, I hope to use it for the first time before the end of the month.
ironpaso
2014-04-04 06:04:29
If you guys can come up with some dimensions for the length and depth, along with the angle of the trough I can probably form up a generic long version and then trim the shorter requests as needed. or send me an old wood one to mimic. Harry
ironpaso
2014-04-24 05:49:00
OK guys I did some research and what I came up with is 316 S.S. This alloy has good corrosion resistance and formability. I also was reading another post about size requirements, and we could have a bumper of sorts that could be slid up and back and clamped in place. Harry
Once and Future
2014-11-23 06:03:36
Iropaso, I sent you a private message.