raft

Hey you all,
This is the first time out of the chute for me so there is a great possiblity I may screw this up. Here goes. I have been searching for information on how to build a raft. I don't want trees or poles or heavy wood. I was thinking of possibly very thick styrofoam and maybe put a sheet of plywood on top and start from there. Whats going to protect the foam from river objects? I don't know. If you could think of any way that I could make one about 8X10 or 8X12 that a couple guys could handle I would appreciate this information. Thanks. Jerry

 

[Stumpkiller]

Whoa?! If you can figure out where the muzzle on it is and how to load it, I would suggest you go to a gar wash and ask for some of the plastic drums that they get soap in (they hold about 40 gallons - smaller, lighter and easier to use that a 55 gallon drum), then buy some 3/4" A-C outdoor plywood, then make a frame of 2X4's nailed or deck-screwed to the underside of the plywood and lash, or better yet use plastic packing straps (ask the lumber supplier where you buy the plywood and 2X4's if they would do it for you), the barrels inside and below the framed plywood deck.

Don;t forget the life jackets!

 

[musketman]

I bet you could line the bottom of the raft with two layers of 2-liter pop bottles (with caps screwed on tight), the trapped air should do the trick and keep it afloat...

Plus plastic is a little stronger than styrofoam...

 

Those plastic soap drums are darn near bullet proof. If you get 4 of 'em it'll serve your needs quite well.
What size motor you gonna put on 'er? :haha: :haha:

 

[Stumpkiller]

You could also use steel 55 gallon drums welded to an angle-iron frame with a non-skid steel deck and go for the ironclad look.

I've got a 17 foot open sail/row/motor boat (a Mud Hen) with a tanbark gaff-sail and teak seat/floor grates that just cries out for a swivel gun.

 

[musketman]

Use wine barrels, (the grapes of rafts) :haha:
Bwaaaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaa, I really crack me up...
hee hee, snicker, chuckle... a-hem

 

[sse]

wraw wright wrusky

sse :winking:

 

[gordy]

The plastic drums that CokeaCola syurp is shipped in are extremely tough,they hold a little over 55 gals.You can buy them at most Coke bottleing plants.(about $10.00ea.).I've been thinking of makeing a pontoon house boat with them! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

Thanks Stumpkiller,
This sounds like a good idea. I'll check out the soap and coke barrels.I want to thank all that sent sugggestions.
I'm gonna have to get the structions on how to operate this complete website. The more I try to understand it the confusder I get. Thank you all again.Jerry

 

Use wine barrels, (the grapes of rafts) :haha:
Bwaaaaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaa Haaaaaaaaaaa, I really crack me up...
hee hee, snicker, chuckle... a-hem

Moosketperson:
Bawwwwwwwwwwww-hawwwwwwwwwwwwwww, choke, snickers, snicks, harrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. :haha: :haha:
'Nuther good'n! :applause: :applause:

 

Jerry, I GOT it!
You could use Moosketpersons jokes to make a (are ya ready? drum roll please...).....a PUN-toon boat! :haha: :haha:
Whoooooo-boy, I really ,really crack me up. ::

 

I was watching the Discovery channel, I think, and there was this guy living off the grid in Mexico who was building his own floating island using empty plastic soda bottles. It even had sand, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif palm trees and a hut. It was really a wild idea.

I bet you could line the bottom of the raft with two layers of 2-liter pop bottles (with caps screwed on tight), the trapped air should do the trick and keep it afloat...

Plus plastic is a little stronger than styrofoam...