If your going to pull buckets, cut a 1 in hole dead center in bottom, then 4 around the outside edge of bottom. Take bail off, drill 1/2 in to 3/4 in hole in strong part where bail attaches. Use 3/8 rope of some kind, run each end from outside to inside and tie a good knot, then pull any slack out withe outside piece of the rope. Get it centered and tie a overhand loop knot giving yourself about a 2-3 in opening. Then get a piece of rope about 8-10 feet long with a Caribeners on each end. Attach one end to bucket rope and the other to boat. You can also tie a small piece of line thru a small hole drill Ed in bottom lip of bucket that is longer than your main rope. Use it to dump bucket and make it a little easier to retrieve.