How to Build a Ship Float for a Parade

Use an 8 foot trailer to build a ship parade float.

Ships and boats are used by many individuals for parade floats. The design of the ship depends on the restrictions set forth by the parade committee. The parade committee is responsible for setting the guidelines on the height, width and length of the floats. Read the rules completely before beginning the ship design. Check with the parade committee if any questions arise. Design the ship according to the guidelines. The best ship design uses the entire hay rack or flat-bed trailer as the deck of the ship.

Things You'll Need

• 6-by-8 foot flat-bed trailer
• Graph/grid paper
• Pencil
• 1 piece of 3/8 inch plywood, 4-by-8 foot
• 24 wire ties 6 inches long
• 8 boards 1-by-2 inch, 8 feet long
• Wood screws
• Drill
• Circular saw
• Tape measure
• Heavy cardboard
• 36, 1 inch wooden dowels 20 inches long
• 2 to 3 rolls, 24 inch chicken wire
• Blue crepe paper, blue tissue paper or blue napkins
• White crepe paper, white tissue paper or white napkins
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue
• Staple gun
• Staples
• White and blue paint
• Paint brushes

Instructions

1. Draw the proposed design for the ship float on a piece of graph/grid paper. Use the dimensions of 6-by-8 foot to create the float. Place a rail along the outside edge and a cabin to the center back. Figure the dimensions of the rail and cabin. Write the dimensions on the graph/grid paper.

2. Measure, mark and cut a sheet of plywood to two 2-by-8 foot rectangles. Drill 1/4-inch holes 12 inches apart along the 8-foot edges of the plywood rectangles.

3. Line the edges of the plywood rectangles up with the 8 foot edges of the flat-bed trailer. Secure the two rectangular pieces of plywood to the trailer by placing a 6-inch wire strap through the drilled holes and around the metal webbing of the trailer. Cut off the excess plastic from the wire ties.

4. Hold the chicken wire so it is perpendicular to the edge of the flat-bed trailer. Wrap chicken wire around the outer edge of the trailer. Make sure the bottom edge of the chicken wire is position two to three inches above the ground. Fold the top edge of the chicken wire over one inch. Staple the folded edge to the plywood to secure the chicken wire to the float.

5. Build two 6-by-8 foot rectangular frames from the 1-by-2 inch lumber. This is the top and bottom of the rail.

6. Measure, mark and cut the dowels into 18 inch pieces.

7. Secure the 18 inch dowels to the bottom rail frame. Sit the dowel on end so it is 18 inches tall. Center the dowel between the edges of the board. Secure the dowel to the frame using a screw on a diagonal path. This is called toe-nailing the two pieces of wood together. Place the next dowel 8 to 12 inches away. Repeat the process until all dowels are connected to the bottom rail frame.

8. Lift the bottom rail and dowels onto the 8-foot trailer. Match the edges of the frame with the edge of the trailer.

9. Center the frame for the top of the rail over the dowels. Secure the rail to the dowels using wood screws. Center the screw over the middle of the dowel. Drill from the top of the rail into the dowel. Repeat the process until all dowels are secured.

10. Build a cube frame from the 1-by-2 inch lumber. This will be five feet tall and four feet wide. Cover the outside of the cube with chicken wire. Staple the chicken wire into place.

11. Lift the cube to the back center of the trailer to form the ship cabin. Secure the outside edges of the cube to the plywood. Toenail the cabin into place with screws every 8 to 10 inches.

12. Cover the ship deck with cardboard. Secure the cardboard in place by stapling it to the plywood on the outside edges.

13. Paint the rail around the ship white. Paint the deck of the ship either white or blue.

14. Stuff the chicken wire cabin with white crepe paper, white tissue paper or white napkins. Stuff the chicken wire around the bottom of the ship with blue crepe paper, blue tissue paper or blue napkins.

15. Draw port holes and other ship decorations on construction paper. Make sure they are proportioned correctly for the size of the ship. Cut out the decorations and tape or glue them into place.

Tips & Warnings

• Build and store the ship float in a dry location.

References

• Parade Float Ideas: Parade Float Building Basics
• Parade Float Ideas: Create a Pirate Ship Float and Sail into School Spirit