Using pallets as condos

I have access to a few old pallets that I want to make into structure. Any suggestions on the most effective way to orient them in the water. Does vertical or horizontal make a difference? I was thinking about just tying a cinder block to one corner and a jug in the opposite corner so that it would be vertical, but then I thought that tying four equal-length ropes from each corner to the block would get it to be horizontal, and the fish might prefer to hang under the pallet rather than just around it. Any thoughts on this?

Also, anyone have a rule of thumb on how much weight you need to pull down a quantity of brush or wood? Can a 25 pound block hold down 25 pounds of cut tree or pallet wood? Is a 1:1 ratio OK, or can I use less weight?

Thanks for your helpful comments!

you can make stake beds out of them by nailing 1x1 or 1x2 or 2x2 etc slats in a vertical fashion from the pallet. sinking them is another story. Do some searches on here about pallets and lots of good info to be found.

I use a lot of them like mentioned by Treed. Also you can fix a 4' board on one side so it will be held up 2' no matter which side is down. Some require lots of weight to sink. Soaking pallets for awhile first will help.;)

Maybe making a pyramid? That way how ever it lands you have structure up and out. Used to do that as a kid, but I have not built one in a while. As for sinking, we just used to use a couple of solid concrete blocks to hold them down.

A cinder block won't sink a pallet, it will probably take at least three. You have to put a lot of weight on it or it might just kind off suspend just under the water, it's happend to me.

I don't use them anymore, they are way too heavy.

It's a great fish attractor if you have the muscle and a big enough boat and help.

As for how much weight to sink a quantity of brush, you learn as you do it. But, as a rule of thumb I put two saplings about 1" to 1 1/2" diamater per cinder block.

I carry an extra block or two or some concrete or rocks with wire already on them when I sink stuff in case I get it wrong. Then I just tie the extra block on and let her go.

Good luck

Thanks for all your thoughtful responses. I gotta get on the learning curve--it's surprising to hear that a concrete block won't sink a pallet. Maybe I need to re-think the whole plan. I might go back to the idea of just getting downed wood from the shore.

Anything wooden is going to take a good bit of weight to sink. PVC sinks by itself and is totally snagless, but unfortunately it's not free. The easiest/cheapest method I've found is those bucket types with concrete in the bucket and wood/pvc or something sticking up.

I'd think they would be Hang Up City,:(,But have never tried them,So what do I know:p,As far as the blocks. I work for a const-Co that install's retaining walls,We have some of the blocks left over or gets broke on most job's. They weigh any where from 60# & up,May check around where you live & find some of them.I know I'd give ours away just to keep from having to haul them out...

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Originally Posted by Release to the Grease...

Anything wooden is going to take a good bit of weight to sink. PVC sinks by itself and is totally snagless, but unfortunately it's not free. The easiest/cheapest method I've found is those bucket types with concrete in the bucket and wood/pvc or something sticking up.

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Your not quite right. Green Persimmon Trees will sink with no weight. We put a block to keep them in place. The pallets are'nt too bad unless you get real large or thick ones. Soaking them in the water first helps. I love pallets with up right boards added to them. Hang ups are'nt bad as brushpiles.

Kind of late here but we have used them (because they were there) and made a + design using 3 pallets attaching weight to the bottom edges and they have worked well sofar....

Cut the pallets into 2. Maybe blocks will hold them down then. If nothing else would be easier to handle.
Like the idea of 4 blocks to make them hoover.