How could any boat function without the 5-gallon bucket? We keep them onboard for thawing bait, spooling reels, washing the boat, collecting garbage, moving ice… The list of chores that calls for a bucket goes on and on but a rope handle will improve any bucket.

The weak link to most buckets, however, is the handle.

Bucket handles rust, scratch the finishes or bright-work on the boat and they can pull out at the most inopportune times, dumping valuable contents.

The best solution is to remove the metal handle and install a rope handle. It’s really pretty easy and you end up with a much more user-friendly bucket.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Cut a section of rope to the length you want.

2. Get some stainless-steel washers that are just big enough to allow the rope to pass through.

3. Drill a hole in each side of the bucket that just fits the rope.

4. Pass the rope through the bucket and washer and then melt the end of the rope with a torch or lighter and spread the molten rope out like a mushroom so it can’t pass back through the washer.  Pull the rope and washer away from the side of the bucket while melting and then pull it back once it has cooled.

Be careful when dealing with the hot rope. It will definitely burn you! Melt enough rope to make a substantially flared end. Repeat on the other side of the bucket and test it out for strength once the ends have cooled.

Check out more fishing and boating tips from Capt. Scott Goodwin