How to Build a Recreational Lake Raft

If you're like most people, you dream of spending your summers floating on a raft, Tom Sawyer style. It really isn't that difficult to build your own raft, and you can do it with just a few mostly "found" materials. Rafts are great fun if you have a lake nearby, and can be used for just kicking back and relaxing, or as a platform for fishing or swimming.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Twine
• About ten pine or spruce logs
• Hatchet
• Measuring tape
• Dry grass or brush

1. Cut about eight dry logs, each about 12 feet long and 12 inches in diameter and two smaller logs, approximately 8 feet long about 5 inches in diameter.

2. Lay the longer logs side by side until the raft is about 7 feet by 12 feet. Trim the ends to make the logs fairly equal if necessary.

3. Use the hatchet and measuring tape to cut notches 18 inches from each end of the logs. The notches should be an approximate square shape, but the square will be slighter wider at the inside edge so that it can hold the crosspieces in piece snugly.

4. Line up all of the logs so that the notches are all even.

5. Trim the smaller logs lengthwise to make triangular shapes and slide them through the notches in the larger logs. Tie the smaller logs in place with the twine.

6. Create floatation devices by using the rope to tie some metal or plastic barrels to the bottom of the raft.

7. Put a layer of dry grass or brush on the top of the raft to provide secure footing and prevent slipping.

8. Attach a length of rope to the raft so that you can tie it to a dock when you aren't using it.