Here's a good hack for coaches out there doing their thing in jon boats. Make yourself a small platform that keeps things close to hand and dry in the bottom of your launch with the Jon Boat Shelf Hack.

Long-time coach Brian Dawe sent this idea in, and it's a trick he's been using for a while. With a low profile that keeps it from being a tripping hazard, Brian's handy shelf is just high enough to keep your stuff up out of any rain (or leak!) water that might be along for the ride during a given practice.

Brian emailed us about this easy launch upgrade when he saw the Bow Weight Box Hack and, like that well-hacked add-on to a jon boat, Brian's shelf is sized to fit snuggly between the ribs in the bottom of your launch. A few 2x4s and a bit of plywood or board wide enough to connect them is all you need...and you can use pressure-treated 2x4's if you want it to last a few seasons and weather any sitting water in the launch between practices.

Brian did admit that he kept this version simple, and that it could use "a cup holder and refinements." We can think of a few hacks that would make good add-ons--like this one for a cup holder made of old coxbox mounts, or the PVC megaphone holster hack--if you want to take your version of the Jon Boat Shelf next-level.

Do you have a clever launch-upgrade that you use in your coaching ride? If so, share your ideas--and hacks--in the comments below.

If you have a great rowing hack to suggest for future inclusion, then please send it to us like Brian did and we will feature your idea in a future column.