How to Build a Tugboat Sandbox

Why not play in a tugboat on dry land?

Building something as unique as a tugboat sandbox is not only rewarding for the builder, it's a boon for any sandbox-loving child. This project should take a weekend and is fairly straightforward in construction. With a little bit of imagination, you can use this unique sandbox as the starting point for a themed-based play area.

Things You'll Need

• Clear land at least 15 feet long by 10 feet wide
• Power drill with screwdriver and drilling bits
• 2 2-by-8 inch planks of wood 8 feet long
• 1 2-by-8 inch plank of wood 5 feet long
• 1 2-by-8 inch plank of wood 3 feet long
• 8 ½-inch bolts, 4 inches long with accompanying self-locking nuts
• 16 large washers that accept ½-inch bolts
• 1 piece of 4-by-4 inch post that's 4 feet long.
• Wheelbarrow
• 10 bags of quick dry cement
• Shovel
• Water
• Open-ended wrenches and socket wrenches
• Circular saw with wood cutting blade
• 4 4-by-8 foot sheets of ¼-inch thick plywood
• 1 box (100+) outdoor wood screws
• Sanding equipment
• Thick, outdoor paint
• Paint brushes

Instructions

1. Drill two holes at the end of each (eight, five and three-foot) plank. Make each hole at about two inches in from each corner and two inches in from the end of each plank. Make sure to have the holes large enough in diameter so the bolt can wiggle up to an inch in all directions.

2. Add a large washer to every bolt. Place the five-foot 2-by-8-inch plank at the place you wish to have the rear of your tugboat. On each side of the five-foot plank, add an eight-foot 2-by-8-inch plank. Shove the bolt through the outside of the back of the five-foot plank and through the inside of the eight-foot plank at each corresponding hole. It will be at an angle and when the washer and nut are added to the end of the bolt (which is sticking out of the back of each eight-foot plank), barely hand tighten.

3. Place the three-foot 2-by-8-inch plank and follow the same procedure at the other end of the eight-foot plank. Once both sides of the three-foot plank are secured to the eight-foot planks, tighten the nuts. You have completed the sand box sides and the lower frame of the boat.

4. At the inside center of the three-foot plank, where the bow is, use the shovel and dig a hole 8-by-8 inches and one foot deep. Place the 4-by-4-inch, four-foot long post in the hole and lean it out over the bow. Use the wood screws to secure it into place. The 4-by-4 inch post is now the bow.

5. Mix the cement in the wheelbarrow with water, following the directions on the cement bags. Pour the contents into the sandbox (including the bow hole for the post) and even the surface as much as you can using the shovel. The corners should be tight enough to prevent a lot of leaking. If noticeable leaks begin, tighten the nuts further. The depth of the cement should be between three and five inches. Allow to dry.

6. Cut two of the 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood in half to make four 4-by-4-foot sheets. Now stack the 4-by-4-foot pieces of plywood on top of each other, effectively sandwiching them. Using the circular saw, cut 16 strips of wood -- one every four inches. This will give you 64, four-foot strips of ¼-inch plywood.

7. Measure about eight inches back from the top of the bow (4-by-4 post), from that point screw in each strip about an inch from the top of each strip. Use only one screw so the strip swings freely. Screw in a strip of ¼-inch, four-foot plywood strips every inch working all the way back to the three-foot plank at the head of the boat. Do this on both sides of the 4-by-4-inch post/bow.

8. Screw the back of the ¼-inch hanging plywood to the sides of the sandbox. Start from the closest strip and screw it in on the lowest portion of the eight-foot side plank. Repeat by overlapping each piece and screwing them in until the top ¼-inch piece is screwed into the highest, furthest spot on the side of the eight-foot plank. It should look like the front of the tugboat.

9. Layer the remaining strips on top of each other using the wood screws to secure each one. Layer from the bottom to the top of the eight-foot side planks, and cut more strips if needed.

10. Sand every inch of the sandbox taking great care to round off and de-splinter any place a child might touch. Paint many coats onto your tugboat making sure that the paint is proper, robust outdoor paint. Do not paint the cement. Take care to goop extra paint on exposed bolts.

11. Fill the sandbox with beach sand.

Tips & Warnings

• Thick ropes, life preservers, beacon lights (all secured to the sides & made kid safe) and a spiffy paint job can add to the appeal and fun of your tugboat.

• Use beach sand or riverbed sand -- there are dangerous carcinogens and easy to inhale dust from fine sand.

References

• Why you shouldent buy just any sand for your kids sandbox