How to Make a Handmade Raft

Making a raft and floating downstream is the dream of many young children who have read Tom Sawyer or The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The idea may even appeal to some adults who want to get away from the stresses of life for a weekend, but do not have the resources to take a Cancun vacation. The idea may sound like fantasy, but in reality, building a handmade raft is relatively easy and inexpensive.

Things You'll Need

• Two, 96-inch 2 by 4s
• Three, 45-inch 2 by 4s
• Phillips head screwdriver bit
• Cordless drill
• 44, 3-inch decking screws
• One sheet, 4 by 8-foot 3/4-inch plywood
• Twelve, 1 5/8-inch decking screws
• Four, 76-inch 2 by 4s
• Two, 34 1/2-inch 2 by 4s
• Two, 17 1/2-inch 2 by 10s
• Jigsaw
• Eight, 2 1/2-inch decking screws
• Miter saw
• Two, 16 29/64-inch 2 by 4s
• Four tractor-trailer inner tubes
• Bicycle pump
• 3/8-inch nylon line
• Two, 87 1/4-inch 2 by 3s
• Sandpaper
• Two, 10 1/2 by 16 1/2-inch pieces of 3/4-inch plywood

Instructions

1. Make a wooden frame placing two, 96-inch 2 by 4s together using one 45-inch 2 by 4 at both ends, and another in the center as spacers. Insert a Phillips head screwdriver bit into a cordless drill, following the instructions that came with the cordless drill. Drive two three-inch deck screws into each spot where the 2 by 4s intersect.

2. Set a sheet of 4 by 8-foot 3/4-inch plywood on top of the frame. Secure the plywood to the frame by driving a 1 5/8-inch deck screw through the plywood and into the frame at each corner and at one-foot intervals around the perimeter of the plywood.

3. Turn over the frame. Measure 5-inches from each corner of the 96-inch portion of the frame, using a tape measure, and mark the spots with a pencil. Measure and mark a spot 30 3/4-inchs from each corner of the 96-inch portion of the frame.

4. Position the outer edge of two of the 76-inch 2 by 4 tube supports, five inches from the end of the frame, using the marks as a reference.

5. Position the outer edge of the other two 76-inch 2 by 4s about 30 3/4-inches from the end of the frame, using the marks as a reference.

6. Center the tube supports by ensuring that they overhang the frame by 14 inches on either side. Secure the tube supports to the frame with two 3-inch screws at each intersection of the tube support and frame.

7. Attach a 34 1/2-inch 2 by 4 paddle support to the top portion of the center tube supports using two 3-inch deck screws at each intersection. Turn the raft right side up.

8. Cut a 3 3/4-inch notch five inches deep in the 17 1/2-inch or end of each of the 17 1/2 by 34 1/2-inch paddle holders with a jigsaw, centering the notches. Attach the paddle holders to the paddle supports using four 2 1/2-inch deck screws for each paddle holder.

9. Cut a 30-degree angle on each of the wide ends of the 16 29/64-inch 2 by 4s with a mitre saw to form the angled supports for the paddle holders. Ensure that the angles are parallel to each other. Follow the mitre saw manufacturer's instructions for setting up and making the cuts. Install the angled supports between the side of the paddle holders and the frame by driving two three-inch screws into each junction where the angled supports meet the paddle holder, and each junction where the angled supports meet the frame.

10. Inflate four tractor-trailer inner tubes with a bicycle pump. Ensure that the inner tubes do not leak any air. Position the inner tubes at each corner underneath the raft. Lash the inner tubes to the inner tube supports using 3/8-inch nylon line.

11. Narrow one end of the 87 1/4-inch 2 by 3-inch paddle shaft using a jigsaw until it fits comfortably in the operator's hand. Sand any rough spots with sandpaper. Repeat for the other paddle shaft. Round the corners of the 10 1/2 by 16 1/2-inch pieces of 3/4-inch plywood with a jigsaw and attach them to the other end of the each paddle shaft, using six 1 5/8-inch deck screws, completing the handmade raft.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring a chair to use when paddling the raft.

• Carry a life preserver for each passenger

References

• raftplan.com; Homemade Rafting Association; Inner Tube Raft Construction; Small Inner Tube Raft Plans