Hand-made raft

[payne]

There are a slew of books out to help you. I just cant think of them right now and am 1,000 miles from mine. Learn lashing techniques and practice them. Test a couple different styles and ropes. Lash wood together let it soak for a couple of days work the whole structure for a good period back in forth. Get vicious with it. Waterproof your pack so it floats then tether it to you with 10' feet a cord. So when your in the drink you'll have a flotation "device" USMC style. Dont just count on your swimming skills I know from experience.

Well thought.

And thanks for the advices on plywood! ;D

To those interested into seeing a documentary about a guy doing the exact same project: http://www.yukonbooks.com/shop/custo...productid=6822
20$ for 45 minutes is kind of pricy, though. I haven't watched it yet. If anyone goes for it before me, please leave some comments.

[Sarge47]

Well thought.

And thanks for the advices on plywood! ;D

To those interested into seeing a documentary about a guy doing the exact same project: http://www.yukonbooks.com/shop/custo...productid=6822
20$ for 45 minutes is kind of pricy, though. I haven't watched it yet. If anyone goes for it before me, please leave some comments.

Also, 55 Gallon drums come in both steel and really heavy plastic, although one lady on one of my wife's forums reports that mice chewed through one of her plastic drums to get at the food she had stored inside. Steel drums that don't leak can be welded end to end. Then two rows of them can be put together with a deck, much like a pontoon boat. To answer your question about the book, Kon-Tiki, I can't tell you as I read it way back when I was in High School and was planning on imitating Huck & Tom! It's more of a journal, but you might find it interesting.

[Sarge47]

Also, 55 Gallon drums come in both steel and really heavy plastic, although one lady on one of my wife's forums reports that mice chewed through one of her plastic drums to get at the food she had stored inside. Steel drums that don't leak can be welded end to end. Then two rows of them can be put together with a deck, much like a pontoon boat. To answer your question about the book, Kon-Tiki, I can't tell you as I read it way back when I was in High School and was planning on imitating Huck & Tom! It's more of a journal, but you might find it interesting.

Also, there are steel 35 gallon drums available as well, this would give you a lower center of gravity, as well as not being so high. Just some thoughts on the subject.

[payne]

Welding is probably out of hand, though.

[kyratshooter]

Payne, you will go to some terrifying extremes in order to aviod getting a job so you can rent a canoe!

I'll bet you could duct tape enough empty 2 liter bottles together to build your own island and flot all the way to the Artic Ocean.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOqEyZfgh00

[payne]

Payne, you will go to some terrifying extremes in order to aviod getting a job so you can rent a canoe!

I have enough money to rent a canoe, building a raft just seems funnier.
Not to mention this trip will take place right after I am done working as a tree planter and a fruit picker back-to-back. :P

[hunter63]

I strongly suggest to at least try building a raft before you embark on your journey, still not the best choice, IMHO but if thats what you want to do, build a trial craft first.

FYI:
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[gryffynklm]

I thought about suggesting a river coracle or other skin boat using a sealed canvas. but I don't think they do well against rocks.

[tipacanoe]

Tipacanoe, do you know if they are still doing the "Great Kennebec whatever river raft race"?

I don't believe so. If there is, they don't advertise it, and I live only 25 miles from where it was held.

[Rick]

If your heart is set on raft building then do some searches for early settlers and river rafts. River rafts were often complex affairs used to move a family's entire earthly goods up or down rivers like the Ohio, Mississippi, Missouri, Illinois, Wabash and on and on. A large part of this country was settled using river rafts. You should be able to find any number of references online or at your local library.

[rebel]

Take a buddy or two and rent a sat phone.

[jerry]

>>> I am basically looking for some more rational thoughts on the feasibility of this project, and some pro-tips as of how I could build such a raft.
Ideas/concepts are accepted as well. Let your imagination flow!

If you are hell bent on rafting, and if you will be alone and not too much weight factoring in your weight and enough gear, sit down and ponder the thought of
designing and building a light, but sturdy, raft using several dozen of the old tried and proven tough generic PVC (plastic) buckets. All tied and strapped solidly together in whatever best design you can come up with.

You will be able to buy, or scrounge whatever you need for a raft like that once you get to Whitehorse. Run "want ads" on Whithorse Craiglast and Freecycle to see what luck you might have trying that angle.

Many buckets will give you many air chambers in case one, or several fails. Possibly stuff each bucket with bagged Styrofoam shipping popcorn, or something similar, for little extra weight but safety backup flotation in case of a leak. I say bagged so you won't litter the river too bad in case of a serious malfunction in one, or more, of the buckets. Carry you gear and food, all supplies, in the same type buckets,, a multi purpose use for the buckets,, used for gear and a backup spare chamber replacement for a pontoon repair.

Design the raft in such a way that all buckets/pontoons will be tied together with 2x4 framing with small cable and turn buckles. Anything you can think of,, bolts screws, PVC Cement, etc etc to tie it all together. Also take all of that along, with tools, on the venture for the inevitable breaks and repairs.

I would think this design in a raft would be ten times lighter in weight than a log raft made from driftwood, etc.

I'm assuming you live in the Quebec area, many thousands of miles from Whitehorse,, not a cheap trip getting to the river imo. Get there the cheapest way you can and buy an old 17' Grumman clunker, or whatever you can buy cheap that floats, from the locals when you get there for a few hundred bucks. Sell it when you get to D C for what you can get for it.

[payne]

Thanks for that, Jerry.

I'm assuming you live in the Quebec area, many thousands of miles from Whitehorse,, not a cheap trip getting to the river imo. Get there the cheapest way you can and buy an old 17' Grumman clunker, or whatever you can buy cheap that floats, from the locals when you get there for a few hundred bucks. Sell it when you get to White Horse for what you can get for it.

Two things:
- The river flows from Whitehorse to Dawson City, which means I am starting at Whitehorse.
- Last time I hitch-hiked across Canada, I ended up making money out of drivers' spontaneous generosity instead of spending it. I made a pretty solid 200$ in 5 days.

[Rick]

Of course he was killed on the 6th day by a serial killer but he did well the first 5.

[jerry]

Thanks for that, Jerry.


- The river flows from Whitehorse to Dawson City, which means I am starting at Whitehorse.
.

Yes, I caught myself a few minutes ago and went back and edited it. My bad,
In my neck all Rivers and streams run N to S so,,,,,,,,,,

I even looked up Whithorse Craiglist and not a lot to it as being a small town. Dawson City doesn't even have
a CL page.

http://whitehorse.craigslist.ca/sss/

good luck,,

[rebel]

Don't forget the guitar. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tqxz...e_gdata_player

[crashdive123]

Thanks for that, Jerry.


Two things:
- The river flows from Whitehorse to Dawson City, which means I am starting at Whitehorse.
- Last time I hitch-hiked across Canada, I ended up making money out of drivers' spontaneous generosity instead of spending it. I made a pretty solid 200$ in 5 days.

Interesting choice of words.

[rebel]

What about a bull boat. Instead of hide use a tarp. http://muddlingtowardmaturity.typepa...of-narnia.html

[Rick]

Waders????

[jerry]