How to Build a Raft
Floating on water is one of those primitive desires that man has retained over the millennia; and it has only got stronger with time! From the simple dog float we learnt in school to the 100 foot long luxury sailboats that are quite the rage in lakeside villas across the country, they all fulfill that ancient urge. It is a fact that nothing can quite relax and / or excite as time spent on water.
What is a Raft?
But it all starts in the simplest way – with a raft. This primordial contraption is the first thing that got people to float on water, and even today, it is quite exciting – because a raft is supposed to be built and not purchased readymade! Especially if you have boys at home, it is quite the adventure to build a raft and float down a stream with them (with life jackets, of course).
What you Need for the Raft
The first step is to collect logs which are preferably uniform in size and look similar in origin. The number of logs will differ depending on the size of the raft you’d like to build and a small raft will only need 4-5 logs while a large one can have as many as 10-12.
Building the Raft
The next step is to lash together poles that can hold these logs together. And the right way to do that is by putting poles up and below the raft spaced evenly all across. I.e. you will need to put a pole below the logs you’ve laid down side by side, and one exactly above it on the logs. Equidistantly put up a few more connectors so that all the logs you laid down are covered. You might need 6-8 logs for the purpose. Lash them together and clamp the edges so they don’t move.
These cross poles that you have lashed together will form the base for your elevated platform, and it would be nice if you shave the edges to make them flat so the platform holds strong. The easiest option for the platform is a sheet of plywood as that is available in all sizes. The larger your raft, the larger the sheet of plywood! Screw the plywood sheet onto the cross poles and you are set!
Cut down two more long sturdy logs, which will act as steering poles. Get your life jackets ready, and you are ready to test your raft in flowing water! You can try at a small beach where the waves are not rough; but the best option would be a lake and a small one at that initially, so you can graduate to the rougher waters with experience.
Tips
Just remember build your raft near the shore, so you can just roll it into the water once you are done building. You don’t want to lug the heavy thing around once you are done making it and also remember to wear a life jacket!