I'd like to build a raft for fishing in the summer. It needs to be very lightweight and able to support about 250 lbs. I was considering pvc pipe, but due to the price and weight i'm looking for an alternative.
My idea is to take under-the-bed storage containers and tie them down under a sheet of plywood. Then I would caulk it around the edges to seal it up. Can anyone tell me if this will work? Or if theirs any other alternatives?
Also, do you need a permit for a home made raft. I live in Illinois.
2007-12-14 08:07:15 · 4 answers · asked by Erick 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
As far as a permit, in Va if there is no engine, you do not have to have a boat registration. The under bed storage units may work at first, but not for long. Use inner tubes. You can put four inner tubes under a large 6inch thick peice of styrofoam ( the kind used for insulation) Use rope to fasten the inner tubes to the styrofaom platform. Drill through the platform so that you can tie the inner tubes from on top arond the inner tube on four sides of the tube for each one. have fun.
2007-12-14 08:27:30 · answer #1 · answered by splash 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Without knowing at all what materials are RAFT rated in weight support or Draught, You should probably experiment on a small scale first.
Personally I'd go KON TIKI, but you may not have access to the materials. Bamboo certainly would work, in a primitive style.
Inner tubes are great, as William suggests, with issues too of course.
I'd check on Cellular foam sheeting, similar to or exactly construction grade insulating sheets, 4 x 8, laminated/layered, and tied together somehow. A support structure could be as simple as thin wall PVC. OR bamboo.
Certainly a major issue will be much like a Canoe, even with a flat, large surface.
No offense meant at all, but for the effort and expense, why not an inflatable? OR a small Jon Boat? Both of those could handle a trolling motor and be paddled/rowed.
In FL. No permit/license is needed for 5hp I believe. Certainly not knowing ILL. or rules regarding homemade craft, they might just smile at you at the tag office.
Steven Wolf
2007-12-14 18:54:20 · answer #2 · answered by DIY Doc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey send us some pic's of your maiden voyage, we do need a good laff. I tried that stunt aaah 28 years ago, you need to displace 32 sq. ft to be stabil, a 4x8 sheet of plywood with 8" side boards is enough. Sealant lexel clear silicon is the best.
2007-12-14 21:50:10 · answer #3 · answered by jacksparrow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy some car inner tubes, 4 ea inflate them attach them to a plywood sheet with bungee cords,
don,t think you will need a permit , most DNR only requires a permit for motor powered crafts
2007-12-14 16:36:17 · answer #4 · answered by William B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋