How to Make a Raft Out of Wood

Whether you are stranded and need to move down river or are just looking for an interesting experiment, building your own raft can be a good skill to have. Making the raft will only take a few hours, and before you know it you will be floating down the river on your very on handcrafted raft.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Wood
100 feet of rope
Axe or saw

Step 1

Scout through the area close to the river or lake and look for dead logs or trees. Dead wood generally floats better than fresh cut wood because it retains less water.

Step 2

Cut down or find about a dozen dead trees that are between 10 to 12 feet long and roughly 10 to 12 inches in diameter. This size tree is thick enough for the raft and won't wear you out while you cut the wood. Look for straight trees which will be easier to tie together.

Step 3

Lie the wood down next to each other so that the logs press next to one another. Cut the rope in half; you will use 50 feet on each end of the raft.

Step 4

Wrap the rope around one end of the logs. Once you have made a full rotation, tie a knot (make sure it is tight to the wood). This will keep the wood from falling apart as you wrap the rope. Continue wrapping the rope around, making a knot every few rotations. Repeat the process on the other side of the raft. Once you've finished wrapping, you will be able to use your raft out on the water.

Tips & Warnings

Build your raft in the water. This will save you from lugging it to the launch site -- even dead wood, when multiplied by that many logs, can get very heavy.

Cut or find a thinner pole to use to guide yourself down stream.

Article Written By Greyson Ferguson

Greyson Ferguson is a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in film and television. He currently resides in Lansing, Michigan where he works on independent film projects and writes for numerous publications. Ferguson primarily focuses on computer and electronic articles. Greyson produces TheDailyUpbeat.com, focusing on only upbeat news stories with daily updates.

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