Gary,

I followed your advice drilling a 2.25 inch hole in the bucket an drug them from a ski harness. It worked perfect. It would have taken me many “trial and Error” trips to get that worked out. I see what you mean about the handle that would make it just about perfect. I am scrounging around the house today to find some foam.
In case anyone has any doubts the hole DOES increase the drag, quite about. My Dad must have ingrained more Yankee trustfulness than I had thought. I had a real hard time drilling a hole in a brand new bucket….. Glad is did.
Thanks for the advice.

Scott,
Any flat foam will work. (With flat foam the bucket will sit upright, with the handle under it, when it's back in the boat.) You could even slice up some pipe insulation type foam. Old winch strap or seat belt material works great for the handle material.
The bottom handle is the key to amazingly easy bucket retrieval.
Being a true yankee I understand about your reluctance to use a brand new bucket!
I'm glad the info helped you.

All the Best,

Gary