The $1.99 Noodley Beverage Boat

 by macgeek
Contest WinnerFeatured
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[Note from Jonathan, If you think this is cool, check out my iPhone enabled / Intercom / video chat doorbell] http://www.instructables.com/id/Home-9000-The-ULTIMATE-Doorbell/


Living in Las Vegas, and spending so much time in the pool has taught me, you need to keep drinking, to stay hydrated, and the liquid should be cool.

(Notice I am not saying *WHAT* Liquid)

Having a cooler full of ice, and liquid is fine, But It needs to sit BY the Pool,
so to get a drink I have to leave the pool, trek over hot decking, get my drink, head back into the pool, set my drink on the hot deck, while I am in the water, or swim with my drink.

Now I have seen some of the floaty drink holders in the Pool stores $34.00 holds 4 drinks .. BAH!

I don't understand why there is no "floating ice chest" that holds 10-15 can's or bottles with enough ice to keep them cold for a few hours..

Well, THIS IS INSTRUCTABLES ... SO ... I PRESENT ...


The $1.99 Noodley Beverage Boat


Seeking inspiration, I went to the Local .99 cent store, and bought a pool noodle (basically its a kinda fibrous floating material) a medium sized plastic storage container (with a locking lid) and some waterproof nylon rope.

Cut the Noodle into 4 pieces (Two Long, and two shorter) Used the rope to tie them all together, and wrapped the noodle and rope around the lid of the plastic container.

Took my project to the pool, for first test; filled the container with water, placed it in the pool, then jumped it and tried to capsize it.
(with no success) then drained out the water, added Ice, and cold sodas and beer, placed back in the pool ...

[Editors note, I "TOFTT" here, to make sure that the beverages stayed cold, and did not spill, no matter how many I drank, It was a hazardous and dangerous risk, not only to myself, but to my bladder]

 
daithiking says: Aug 13, 2012. 2:56 AM
This is why I use this site.
rfakhre says: Aug 18, 2012. 8:19 PM
does instructables have an award show? This year's winner for Simplest Instructable goes to THIS ONE. or The Under 5 dollar category winner is, etc...
supreme creator says: Mar 31, 2013. 5:55 AM
now you can relax in the pool and have a drink near by wonderful idea macgeek


BuckNasty says: Dec 1, 2012. 6:48 PM
awesome instructable!
Judith756 says: Sep 24, 2012. 10:16 PM
So simple and yet I would never have thought of it. Great build.
Thanks!!
Penolopy Bulnick says: Sep 20, 2012. 4:29 PM
That's so simple but oh so very, very handy! I don't know how you thought of it, but I'm glad you did :D
macgeek (author) in reply to Penolopy BulnickSep 20, 2012. 5:50 PM
They say "necessity is the mother of invention", Personally I always thought it was "laziness is the mother of invention" -- Either way, I am glad you liked it!!

:)

Jonathan
hallsan says: Sep 20, 2012. 8:22 AM
Sweet!! handy for those pool parties. Now can we put a cover on it to shade the drinks from the sun?
thirteenthmuse says: Sep 18, 2012. 5:18 AM
Just thought you should know that your photo is being used here on this auction : http://www.listia.com/auction/5973068-diy-floating-cooler. Most likely your tutorial is being auctioned off as well.
macgeek (author) in reply to thirteenthmuseSep 18, 2012. 9:52 AM
thanks, it takes 'chutzpa' to take someone Else's idea and say its your own, but it takes balls to "sell it"

Jonathan
Les Créateliers says: Aug 30, 2012. 5:59 PM
So awesome! I posted it on my website, here's the link:
http://www.lescreateliers.com/Les_Createliers/Idees_Ideas/Entries/2012/8/30_Bateau_a_beuvragesBeverage_boat.html
Cheers!
Marie-Eve
Datawolf says: Aug 9, 2012. 12:43 AM
Cold drinks in warm water ? :-/
macgeek (author) in reply to DatawolfAug 9, 2012. 9:21 AM
YES!
cold drinks, that STAY COLD, in warm water!!

Jonathan
BarginsTech in reply to macgeekAug 24, 2012. 10:29 PM
Scienced! I mean thats what ice is for anyway! :P
tamicarr says: Aug 13, 2012. 7:15 AM
I bet you could use this fabulous invention as a handy tote for kids pool toys, suntan lotion, etc .... Great site with great ideas and easy instructions ... thanks!
ajohnson-4 says: Aug 12, 2012. 6:40 PM
OMG this is AWESOME!!! I'll be making this for the friends who own the 2 pools I spend loads of time in. THANKS!!!!! No more warm beer for us sitting on the side of the pool!!!
AmyLuthien says: Aug 12, 2012. 6:30 PM
This is completely and totally AWESOME!!
LakeLivin says: Aug 12, 2012. 9:49 AM
"wrapped the noodle and rope around the lid of the plastic container."
Was this just 'loose fit' or did you tie it somehow?

Now it just needs an awning or umbrella of some type added to keep the direct sun off of the ice and drinks. Gotta believe that would significantly reduce ice meltage time.

Oh, and I'm calling shenanigans on your project costing $1.99 lol. At my dollar store, the noodle, box, and rope is going to add up to $3.00 :- ).
macgeek (author) in reply to LakeLivinAug 12, 2012. 10:47 AM
I am *SO* busted!

Yes, there was tax on that, but calling it
"The $2.04 Noodley Beverage Boat" just didn't roll off the tongue!

:)

Jonathan
Matz says: Aug 12, 2012. 7:38 AM
I know what I'm making before summer's over!
chrwei says: Aug 8, 2012. 11:23 AM
an improvement suggestion:
use 2 containers, one inside the other like they stack them in the store. Add some thin foam sheeting, like things come packed in, between the 2 containers as insulation. hotglue or waterproof caulk the containers together. should keep the ice around a lot longer.
erwin in reply to chrweiAug 12, 2012. 7:29 AM
I like your idea. Great improvement!
EG
askjerry says: Aug 12, 2012. 7:23 AM
I got as far as seeing the picture in the email and thought to myself:

BRILLIANT!
INFunGuy says: Aug 12, 2012. 7:20 AM
Dang!!!!! This is absolutely BRILLIANT!!!!!!!
AussieAnglerGal says: Aug 11, 2012. 6:07 PM
during summer is spend a LOT of time in our river and carrying a can of cola around it just not an option of someone who swims underwater a lot.....
one of our friends has long requested a floating drinks boat in the river....
so next summer i'll make this! (its winter at the moment! LOL)
AussieAnglerGal says: Aug 11, 2012. 6:07 PM
during summer is spend a LOT of time in our river and carrying a can of cola around it just not an option of someone who swims underwater a lot.....
one of our friends has long requested a floating drinks boat in the river....
so next summer i'll make this! (its winter at the moment! LOL)
Treasure Tabby says: Aug 8, 2012. 8:29 PM
Ooo great idea. I can also use this for my water lettuces to keep them in one place on the pond only I have to cut a hole at the bottom of the plastic box.

Thanks a bunch. :D
jimmytvf says: Aug 8, 2012. 11:17 AM
so damn clever! awesome!
jimmytvf in reply to jimmytvfAug 8, 2012. 11:18 AM
put the lid and some tin foil, ice, and the lid, and you got a pool fridge thingy :D
ilpug says: Aug 7, 2012. 7:38 PM
Get a foot or two of 3 inch PVC pipe at the lumberyard, cut it into 3 inch sections, screw a few screw around one end of each section, then attach them to the NBB somehow, maybe zip ties. Cup Holders!
thejanitor in reply to ilpugAug 8, 2012. 10:25 AM
you could try this for the cup holders http://www.instructables.com/id/Pvc-Cup-Holder-1/
macgeek (author) in reply to thejanitorAug 8, 2012. 11:13 AM
Sweet!!!

I may try and integrate this instructable into mine.

:)

Jonathan
starweaver in reply to ilpugAug 7, 2012. 8:25 PM
You could so glue something like that down into the container with like gorilla glue or something!
ilpug in reply to starweaverAug 7, 2012. 11:40 PM
Or that. However it gets them, this bad boy needs cup holders!
Carleyy says: Aug 8, 2012. 9:32 AM
This is such an awesome idea! So simple!
inquisitive says: Aug 7, 2012. 11:17 PM
like a beverage pontoon :) I bet you could do a little cooler with a weight on the bottom to keep it upright too
ilpug says: Aug 7, 2012. 7:36 PM
Well then, isn't that just genius....
jessyratfink says: Aug 7, 2012. 7:22 PM
That is just genius! Love it love it love it!
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