How to Build a Raft

(Page 3 of 3)

March/April 1981
By Ishmael Wallace 
Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS
Bookmark and Share

We also fastened three other screw eyes to the deck so that, including the one that holds the sail up, there are two on each side of the mast. We fastened two nylon strings from a deck screw eye through the one on the mast and back down to another deck screw eye on the other side. These are called stays, and they help keep the mast from falling down.

RELATED CONTENT

IT WORKS

The finished sailing raft is light enough for me and my father to carry to our car and load on the roof. It floats well enough to hold up my father, who weighs 140 pounds, or me and my little sister. It's great fun to sail or paddle the raft around on the brook.

Because the raft is clumsy and heavy and square compared to a smooth, sleek, and light boat, it doesn't really sail unless there's a lot of wind. But if the day is very windy, the sail billows and pushes the raft. We don't have a rudder, so I use a canoe paddle to steer the raft. When there isn't enough wind to sail, I use the canoe paddle to make the raft move.

YOU CAN BUILD A RAFT TOO

Your raft won't cost you too much money to build if you can find some old boards lying about. But you will have to buy some of the materials (we spent about $10.00 for the styrofoam and nylon string). So here are a few ideas on how to earn money: You can start a neighborhood newspaper (using yourself as a reporter) and pay someone else to type or print the paper for you. Or you can make cookies with your mother's ingredients, then sell them (and repay your mother). You could even clean out sheds or do other jobs.

No matter how you earn the money, though, I guarantee your raft will be worth every cent!

Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 |
Bookmark and Share
RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print

Comments

  • STUART JOSEPH 9/15/2007 12:00:00 AM

    Daniel (Dan) Beard wrote a book entitled "The American Boys
    Handy Book." It has plans for a number of rafts, boats, a
    houseboat, and a lot more stuff.Some of the designs range from
    really easy to skilled building and before the days of power tools.
    A lot of the projects are made from salvaged materials and some
    projects aren't possible without sybstitution as the items aren't
    around any longer, like the balloons filled with gas from the gas
    jet lighting.He also wrote a number of other books including one on
    just boats and rafts, but I don't remember the title.If I were
    going to add a sleeping cabin to the raft, I would look at a gazebo
    or canopy system that are made for camping. They have lightweight
    frames and a cover. You might have to make sides for it, and some
    might need to be covered with a tarp as the roofs are water
    resistant and not waterproof.

  • Miso Stjepanovic 7/19/2007 12:00:00 AM

    I want build raft for stationary on river Vrbas, lake Bocac,
    Bosnia and Herzegovina. It will be for recreation and fishing. I
    plan measurement 6 x 4 metters and smaller cottage on this. I plan
    use barrel of fuel volume 200 litters. Can you help me by concrete
    plan and suggestion?Thanks,Sorry for bad English

  • Jamie M 7/19/2007 12:00:00 AM

    I have neve in my life built a raft but I have read a bit about
    it. I Cant however understand if you are trying to put a cottage
    (house?) on the raft you are trying to make. I would think if that
    is the case you are going to need a HUGE body of water to float
    that kind of monster on, or it will be more like a pontoon on
    barrels but you will want an aluminum framed structure since its
    the light weight way to go.

Add Your Comment

Please note that there is currently a problem with the comments function and your comment may or may not post successfully. We are working to correct the problem and thank you for your patience. 

You can use this comment form to enter your personal experiences or additional information and resources that you'd like to share with Mother Earth News readers. Your helpful advice will be posted on this page.  E-mail addresses are never displayed on comments, but they are required to confirm your comments.

Line breaks and paragraphs are automatically converted — no need to use <p> or <br> tags.

New to Mother Earth News?
Sign up to share comments.
Asterisks(*) indicate required fields.
Name*
Your name appears next to your comment.

E-mail Address*
This will be your login ID.

City State Zip Code

Password*


Confirm Password*

Comments
1500 character limit (Offensive materials and/or spam will be removed, no HTML allowed)
Please Note: Your sign-up must be verified via e-mail before your comment is published.
FEATURED ARTICLES
MOST POPULAR


Subscribe Today - Pay Now & Save 66% Off the Cover Price

First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*
(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Lighten the Strain on the Earth and Your Budget

Mother Earth News is the guide to living — as one reader stated — “with little money and abundant happiness.” Every issue is an invaluable guide to leading a more sustainable life, covering ideas from fighting rising energy costs and protecting the environment to avoiding unnecessary spending on processed food. You’ll find tips for slashing heating bills; growing fresh, natural produce at home; and more. Mother Earth News helps you cut costs without sacrificing modern luxuries.

At Mother Earth News, we are dedicated to conserving our planet’s natural resources while helping you conserve your financial resources. That’s why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our Earth-Friendly automatic renewal savings plan. By paying with a credit card, you save an additional $4.95 and get 6 issues of Mother Earth News for only $10.00 (USA only).

You may also use the Bill Me option and pay $14.95 for 6 issues.