How to Build a Dive Board
Today Eric Keener shows you how he built his tried and true spearfishing board that he uses when he goes shore diving. This dive board can be built for less then a Banks Board, can be turned into a backpack for hiking in and is very lightweight for climbing up and down cliffs. Scroll down to see the parts listed below.
I've been using this set up since February 2018 and to this day, it still functions perfectly even after being battered by waves and rocks, hiked through thick brush with many pounds of fish on it, and thrown off cliffs in Big Sur.
Note: If you're not into DIY, buy a Banks Board. Banks Boards are more bouyant and rugged but also come with way more weight, way higher cost and less customization. This is a DIY project that is much less expensive than a Banks Board.
The benefit of a dive board with backpack straps: You can hold all your dive gear as you hike or climb down to your dive spot, bring a backup gun, have something to clip your float line to, bring drinks/food, keep your car keys, bring a waterproof VHF+GPS radio to hail help if needed, mount your fish stringer so you’re not wearing it, keep phone and license in a dry box, and mount a dive flag so boaters can see you and bystanders don't think a body boarder just died. Best of all you can easily glide over the top of kelp instead of needing to kelp crawl or swim under it. Both can be exhausting. No matter what you bring with you, make sure it is 100% clipped into the board or in a bag that is clipped to the board. Yard sales in the ocean are no fun and very expensive.
After looking at a TON of DIY dive boards, here are the parts I used to make mine.
BODY BOARD: Cheapest plastic bottom body board you can buy (the larger/more bouyant, the better). I got mine from a thrift store in good condition. Play it Again Sports always has great deals, too. I've seen guys zip tie pool noodles to the edges of the board for added flotation which might not be a bad idea although it will catch the wind more. It looks funny, but have been told that it is effective if you need it (I'm 6'4" 190 lbs and haven't found a need for it yet).
LEASH PLUGS: I used 9, but you could get away with less. Amazon has them for cheap. Measure your body boards thickness and make sure the plugs will fit. NOTE: Since taking the below photo, I added 1 more leash plug centered at the bottom so that my fins don't slip out while hiking (see video link at top).
U-BOLTS: Stainless steel dimensions 5/16" x 2" x 3", make sure they come with the flat plate washer and that they will fit the depth of your board without too much sticking out the top. You'll need large washers for the top of the board. They won't catch on kelp, they won't cause water resistance, they are useful to hook your kelp clip and stringer to AND it becomes a backpack—which is my favorite part of this whole set up.
BUNGEE NET: Make sure to get one with the smallest holes you can find. I found this one on amazon for $5. 15" x 15" worked perfect for my board. I keep a dive bag (with metal handle) on the board too for all my random accessories while hiking down long trails. I also used a brass clip on one corner so I can essentially unclip the net to put the cargo in, then clip it back in.
GUN CLIPS: I found that heavy duty rubber coated metal twist ties from Nite-Ize are the best solution. Especially the ones with the hole on one end to fit the other end through before twisting.
KELP LEASH: I have a metal kelp clip, but the velcro strap that came with the board works really well. So all I did was extend the leash with some 550 chord and at the point where I tied the leash to the 550 chord, i put a brass clip. This way, I can tie the 550 chord to the front, bottom u-bolt, then bring it over the front and clip the leash to the original leash plug so it keeps stuff from hanging off the bottom of the board while I kick out to where I'm diving. Then, I unclip the leash (making it longer) and velcro it around a few pieces of kelp (don't just clip to one in case it breaks off from the rocks below). The spiral in the leash acts like a bungee which means swells won't pull your board off the kelp. The video at the top has an explanation of this as well.
DIVE FLAG: I use the same flag on my board and on my kayak, so I wanted something that I could pop in and take out pretty easily, but also not fall off in the wind or waves. I took a 1/2" PVC flat top end cap (not the rounded cap), drilled a hole in it so that the u-bolt could fit through and with a washer, tightened it back down. I also added some marine permanent epoxy on the bottom to help ensure it stays down. Then drilled 2 holes on the side at the bottom, to attach a key ring via zip tie. This allows the 1/2" pvc pipe that the flag is mounted on to clip to it and not fall out. This seemed like the least obtrusive way to mount a removable flag. NOTE: Watch the video at the top for a new method for dive flag.
BACKPACK STRAP: I wanted something that I could easily put on and take off and toss in the dive bag when I'm out on the water so it doesn't catch on kelp. I've hiked far with this thing fully loaded on my back and it works fantastic. I just used some cheap webbing and a simple clasp like what you find on rubber dive belt buckles. Many people opt to use these padded straps too.
OTTER BOX: I use this to keep my car keys phone (with waterproof case for redundancy) and license in. You can find these cheap at walmart or on amazon.
STRINGER: I've since added a stringer which is awesome when you're on a long dive, catch a couple big fish and dont want them hanging on your hip while you dive. It's very nice to offload the fish. You can also stuff them in a dive bag if you want them less exposed to sea lions or sharks.
OTHER THINGS TO KEEP ON THE FLOAT:
- Marine whistle
- VHF/GPS
- Thermos
- Dive Bag
- Food
- Anything else you may want
I'd love to know your thoughts on the board or improvements that you personally made to yours! I enjoy DIY so send us your DIY projects with instructions, too!