I've had many people ask me about using barrels for floatation. We started out that way in 1979 and learned that they were usually free but not as stable. A round float has to sink down before you reach the buoyancy. A rectangle float has corners that provide buoyancy that is already on the water. The corners of a rectangle float put stability on the edge of the dock where it's needed most. I find the round barrels are harder to keep attached when the wind blows and when removing the dock for winter. They slip out and the weight of the dock is hard to lift and work the barrel back under after it has rolled out. If you want to use this framing plan, you can still put barrels up between the stringers and strap them in. If you want to build it my way... I've made a nice 3D video and a page that shows all the parts in detail for building docks and swim rafts. I've even made pictures that allow you to click on the parts in the picture and add them to your shopping cart. I'm fully stocked for spring. Here is the helpful link for your dock building project. greatnortherndocks.com/swim-rafts/ Good Luck! Thanks for watching!
Very nice and professional! Looks really good and not to heavy! We also build a raft, just from natural trunks... it worked but was so heavy, we couldn't help but ram a ferry :D
I think this raft you designed and built is great! Could make some additional alterations to make it 8' X 16'? Because I would like to build a fishing raft.
If you were in rough water, nailing all the boards would give it better sheer strength but the removable decking makes it easier to move out of the water. If you have enough slack in the anchor chain, it will not jerk the anchor off the bottom. The weight of the extra chain works as a shock obsorber. Boat waves are not any issue but hurricane winds could be a problem for these and other small boats. In big lake conditions with high wind, we suggest using corner irons in all corners.
Sorry for the late reply, did I miss the race? If it were for a relay race, the floats should have a tapered end like the front of a pontoon. maybe use smaller lumber to save on the weight. Floating higher will create less drag. I don't have the floats with the tapered end but I have seen them.
Yes I can see what you mean about using the chain didn't think of that I used comer irons and 1/2" through thread rod for extra security on mine but as you say the sheer load of nails alone probably doesn't warrant the over build anyway Keep up the good work !
There are two deck boards every foot. If there are 8 feet, you will have 16 deck boards. The space between can be different depending on your decking. If you are asking about the distance between stringers, the outside stringers are 24" on center to allow the 2' wide floats to be attached. Then there is one stringer in the middle. The slats on the decking will lay next to your stringers. You can look down through to make sure they will not hit the stringer when you flip the panel over.
I used Pressuer treated deck boards cut down the middle to screw my cedar decking to. The PT cost less than cedar and it's used underneath where it isn't seen. The frame is also PT. You can do this with composite decking but each company may come and go over time. Composite is a man made thing. I use aluminum channel to hold my panels together when I use synthetic decking because the PT backers want to curl. PT works with cedar because cedar doesn't want to curl like synthetics in the sun.
Can you explain what you did in better detail with the decking boards. What type of board did you attach to the back of them? Are you able to do that with composite decking?
I guess the swim floats are designed strictly for calm water only eh? Any sizable wash made by boats going by would surely twist the rafts floor frame loosening the nails from the 6 x 2 floor joist and perimeter boards
In the ocean, it probably will hold up better than the raft in the movie Cast Away. It only cost about 100 bucks per float, $250 for the ladder, and I would say about $150 for the lumber.
The floats are block shaped so just towing a raft or dock with a boat is a slow process. It can be fun to build a big raft and have a party on it though. You have to be careful with the wind because the boat will need to get it to safety. I've gone with the wind from one end of the lake to the other and we brought lights and a grill, tents, picnic tables and dogs. We took turns waterskiing while the raft drifted down the lake with a slight breeze. You might also like my other floats that are like building blocks and the textured decking is molded into the float.I even have my 2 year old daughter put them together to show how easy it is. Check them out here greatnortherndocks.com/plastic-dock/
If you go to the website shown at the end of the video, (www.dockmaker.com) (www.greatnortherndocks.com) you can go to the dock floatation menu and buy the floats online. The floats ship on a pallet or UPS ground, what ever is best for your location. You will get a call back with a freight quote based on the weight and location of your order. Other items that are smaller have free shipping. There are also air filled DragOn Floats available that can hold a skid on the bottom for dragging in and out of the water. Both kinds of floats are rotation molded polyethylene. The same plastic used in kayaks and pick up truck bed liners. It's very tough. There is my other site with most of the same stuff. www.greatnortherndocks.com has a dock web store where it calculates the freight using UPS ground before you complete your transaction. You can add to cart and see what it will cost before you pull the trigger.
I was asked for a list of materials on another video I posted and here is a link to my dock plans page with material lists included. greatnortherndocks.com/shop/category/dock-plans/ Thanks for watching! I'll be filming more when the water warms up.
Seth, where did you get your floats? Roughly how much do they cost? I've used barrels in the past because of their low cost and availability. Speaking of composites, you should check out a product called NYLODECK, they have a cool website. It is superior to the composites, and you can submerge it forever. Really cool stuff. Ideal for decks and docks. www.nylodeck.com
I've had many people ask me about using barrels for floatation. We started out that way in 1979 and learned that they were usually free but not as stable. A round float has to sink down before you reach the buoyancy. A rectangle float has corners that provide buoyancy that is already on the water. The corners of a rectangle float put stability on the edge of the dock where it's needed most.
I find the round barrels are harder to keep attached when the wind blows and when removing the dock for winter. They slip out and the weight of the dock is hard to lift and work the barrel back under after it has rolled out. If you want to use this framing plan, you can still put barrels up between the stringers and strap them in.
If you want to build it my way...
I've made a nice 3D video and a page that shows all the parts in detail for building docks and swim rafts. I've even made pictures that allow you to click on the parts in the picture and add them to your shopping cart.
I'm fully stocked for spring.
Here is the helpful link for your dock building project.
greatnortherndocks.com/swim-rafts/
Good Luck! Thanks for watching!
Very nice and professional! Looks really good and not to heavy! We also build a raft, just from natural trunks... it worked but was so heavy, we couldn't help but ram a ferry :D
I think this raft you designed and built is great! Could make some additional alterations to make it 8' X 16'? Because I would like to build a fishing raft.
Great video!
If you were in rough water, nailing all the boards would give it better sheer strength but the removable decking makes it easier to move out of the water.
If you have enough slack in the anchor chain, it will not jerk the anchor off the bottom. The weight of the extra chain works as a shock obsorber.
Boat waves are not any issue but hurricane winds could be a problem for these and other small boats.
In big lake conditions with high wind, we suggest using corner irons in all corners.
Sorry for the late reply, did I miss the race?
If it were for a relay race, the floats should have a tapered end like the front of a pontoon. maybe use smaller lumber to save on the weight. Floating higher will create less drag.
I don't have the floats with the tapered end but I have seen them.
great job, raft looks great!
Yes I can see what you mean about using the chain didn't think of that
I used comer irons and 1/2" through thread rod for extra security on mine but as you say the sheer load of nails alone probably doesn't warrant the over build anyway
Keep up the good work !
There are two deck boards every foot. If there are 8 feet, you will have 16 deck boards. The space between can be different depending on your decking.
If you are asking about the distance between stringers, the outside stringers are 24" on center to allow the 2' wide floats to be attached. Then there is one stringer in the middle.
The slats on the decking will lay next to your stringers. You can look down through to make sure they will not hit the stringer when you flip the panel over.
I used Pressuer treated deck boards cut down the middle to screw my cedar decking to. The PT cost less than cedar and it's used underneath where it isn't seen. The frame is also PT.
You can do this with composite decking but each company may come and go over time. Composite is a man made thing. I use aluminum channel to hold my panels together when I use synthetic decking because the PT backers want to curl. PT works with cedar because cedar doesn't want to curl like synthetics in the sun.
Can you explain what you did in better detail with the decking boards. What type of board did you attach to the back of them? Are you able to do that with composite decking?
I guess the swim floats are designed strictly for calm water only eh?
Any sizable wash made by boats going by would surely twist the rafts floor frame loosening the nails from the 6 x 2 floor joist and perimeter boards
In the ocean, it probably will hold up better than the raft in the movie Cast Away. It only cost about 100 bucks per float, $250 for the ladder, and I would say about $150 for the lumber.
Nice workshop is this a pay for the materials and build?Or your own?
Doing a relay race. Any tips on a raft for that?
Would like to use this concept to build a pontoon would the floats be good enough to try this
The floats are block shaped so just towing a raft or dock with a boat is a slow process. It can be fun to build a big raft and have a party on it though. You have to be careful with the wind because the boat will need to get it to safety. I've gone with the wind from one end of the lake to the other and we brought lights and a grill, tents, picnic tables and dogs. We took turns waterskiing while the raft drifted down the lake with a slight breeze. You might also like my other floats that are like building blocks and the textured decking is molded into the float.I even have my 2 year old daughter put them together to show how easy it is. Check them out here greatnortherndocks.com/plastic-dock/
If you go to the website shown at the end of the video, (www.dockmaker.com) (www.greatnortherndocks.com) you can go to the dock floatation menu and buy the floats online. The floats ship on a pallet or UPS ground, what ever is best for your location. You will get a call back with a freight quote based on the weight and location of your order. Other items that are smaller have free shipping. There are also air filled DragOn Floats available that can hold a skid on the bottom for dragging in and out of the water. Both kinds of floats are rotation molded polyethylene. The same plastic used in kayaks and pick up truck bed liners. It's very tough.
There is my other site with most of the same stuff. www.greatnortherndocks.com has a dock web store where it calculates the freight using UPS ground before you complete your transaction. You can add to cart and see what it will cost before you pull the trigger.
I was asked for a list of materials on another video I posted and here is a link to my dock plans page with material lists included. greatnortherndocks.com/shop/category/dock-plans/ Thanks for watching! I'll be filming more when the water warms up.
how much was it to make this raft
I made a raft out of logs.. I'm scared it won't float what can I do??!!?!!
62,252 yet 126 subscribers not very good!!! but I would consider subscribing
We want to see it in action in the ocean :)
Bamboo?
You may also consider this: greatnortherndocks.com/plastic-dock/
what wood did you use?
Seth, where did you get your floats? Roughly how much do they cost? I've used barrels in the past because of their low cost and availability.
Speaking of composites, you should check out a product called NYLODECK, they have a cool website. It is superior to the composites, and you can submerge it forever. Really cool stuff. Ideal for decks and docks. www.nylodeck.com
5:47 nice screwdriver m8
Nice
Nice