Things You'll Need:
- Lengths of 3-inch PVC pipe
- PVC pipe end caps
- PVC pipe adhesive
- U-bolts
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Step 1
Cut the PVC pipes to a length equal to the size of boat you want to make. In this case we are making a small 10-foot-by-5-foot raft boat. We will cut 10-foot lengths of PVC pipe, set side by side to form a platform 5 feet wide.
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Step 2
Paint the ends of the pipe with adhesive and attach a PVC end cap cover to both sides. Secure the cap tightly. Then cover the seam with PVC tape, pressing the edges tightly around the seam to make a watertight seal.
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Step 3
Repeat this step with each and every PVC pipe. Then lay them all side by side.
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Step 4
Cut two 5-foot lengths of 2-by-4 board. Set them over the lengths of PVC pipe so they intersect the lengths perpendicularly. Place one 1 foot from the top, and another 1 foot from the bottom.
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Step 5
Mark the middle of each PVC pipe with a pencil. Then drill out this hole using a power driver and a 1/16-inch bit. Lay the boards back over the PVC pipe and then drill a smaller pilot hole through the top wall of the PVC pipe with a 1/32-inch bit.
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Step 6
Use water-tight screws to assemble the boat, or if not available, slide a 1/16-inch wide, 1/4-inch thick rubber gusset over a 1/8-inch galvanized wood screw with a tight thread. Dip the screw in silicone so it is completely covered on all sides, right up to the top of the screw. Using a power driver, screw it into the board and through the top wall of the PVC pipe. This prevents leakage into the pipe.
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Step 7
Repeat this for each hole in the boards. This will secure the PVC pipes to the 2-by-4 boards.
