I saw "lids" on a drift boat a couple years ago at the Wooden Boat Festival. After getting caught on the McKenzie in a spring down-pour a week later, I realized what a good idea it was. I had a couple of requests to show more details... here's a closer look.
I picked the grain of the wood to go side to side instead of front to back...
On the inside I added foam for flies, a wooden dowell for tippett and a spacer for misc.
I added magnets to keep the lids from flapping on the way to the river...
Loaded and ready to head out...
After adding lids I didn't have a good place to set my coffee - so I added a "wing shelf" to both sides. I use the wing on the left to store my spare oar lock so when I need it... I will know WHERE IT IS !!!
Only cost a couple bucks for the hinges and magnets. Added weight = about a pound.
GH