How to Build a Raft
There is nothing more relaxing than going down a river on a rustic raft. Add to this leisurely trip a fish line and a refreshing drink on one hand, and you are off to a laid back afternoon on a floating paradise. Building yourself a raft can be equally relaxing and fulfilling at the same time. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to build an 8 x10 feet wooden raft.
Materials Needed
- 10 feet dry Logs, approximately 4-6 inches in diameter
- Two 8 feet dry logs
- Hatchet
- Waterproof rope or heavy twine
- 50 5-gallon drums with lids
Procedure
- Gather the logs and strip them off of leaves and branches. Test the floatability of these logs by tossing them in a pond or other small body of water.
- Lay the 10 foot long logs side by side on a flat area. Use enough logs until the raft�s width measures 8 feet. Lay the 8 foot logs across the width of the raft about one foot away from the edge. These shorter logs function to keep the raft together.
- Use the hatchet to cut U-shaped notches on each end of the 10 foot logs. Place these notches approximately one foot away from the end of each log.
- Make the same notches on the underside of the shorter logs. Set these notches 8 inches apart. Make sure that these notches line up with the notches on the longer logs.
- Once the notches have been completed, lay the longer logs side by side once again on a flat area. Fit the smaller logs onto the notches of the longer logs.
- Alternately wrap the heavy twine around the short and longer logs in a criss-cross pattern. Flip the raft over after the logs have been secured.
- Attach the 50 5-gallon metal drums on the underside of the raft. Secure each drum with the waterproof rope.
- Tie a long length of rope onto the raft so it can be tied up when not in use.
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