Wood experts, I need help to build a raft!

SteelheadBum2 · 12-14-2006, 04:44 PM

For our final project in my junior level english class, my teacher Mr. Lewis, said that we have do a project about the book Huckleberry Finn, like build a model raft, type a report etc. But he also mentioned that we can also build a life sized wooden raft, and float it down the Willamette during the spring. He said once every couple of years, he has a group that actually has the guts to do this, and they take a school field trip to launch the raft at Clackamette park, and raft down to the cedar oak ramp.

Now, my group and I decided to go for this! I need to find out where I can go out and purchase around 12 logs that are 12ft long, and around 8 in in diameter, and the wood needs to have a low weight per square ft ratio.

Here is my math, someone please check it

Water weighs 64lbs per cubic foot. Now I need logs that can weigh at least 30lbs per cubic foot.

To figure out the total cubic feet in a 12ft long by 8in wide log, we used this formula...V= Pi times the radius squared, times the length.

This turned to be around to be like 7,234in per log. I then Divided that by 1,728in, which is how many inches are in a cubic foot, and I got around 4.19 cubic ft per log. Now times that by 12 logs, and I get 1,632lbs of floatation in my raft...perfect for 3-4 people.

This raft will be completed exactly like how it is portrayed in the book, with a large piece of flat plywood to go over the logs for a level platform, a large rudder, oars etc.

We will have blow horns, to alert the springer fisherman that "WE ARE COMING DOWN" and a walkie talkie that will be connected to our teacher, and out class. This will be fun!

Any advice guys, as to where to buy the materials?

jimh · 12-14-2006, 04:47 PM

Get it all donated and sell advertisements.

Danno · 12-15-2006, 07:36 AM

Your math is correct but the load of 1632 pounds is with the logs fully submersed which is not what you want. The good news is that your load will be much less with only 4 people.

Home Depot probably sells 6" diameter fence posts. Parr may be able to find something custom if you can't find the 8" anywhere.

Chrome Bumper · 12-15-2006, 08:50 AM

Do it like Huck Finn, find logs that are fairly dry at the high water mark and use them. Lash them together, boards for paddles and get a chase boat, and get good life jackets AND WEAR THEM!.

wannacatchem · 12-15-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrome Bumper

Do it like Huck Finn, find logs that are fairly dry at the high water mark and use them.

Shouldn't be a problem after last night!!

Chrome Bumper · 12-15-2006, 10:40 AM

Huck's raft was built to last, a couple of 30' logs with crossmember fore and aft, and maybe a deck would get you a couple miles.

RODACTION · 12-15-2006, 10:47 AM

What come to mind for me is.......eastern Oregon lodgepole pine. There areas where there are plenty of downed logs, dry, clean, and easy to get with a chainsaw.

I think those would work great.

Chrome Bumper · 12-15-2006, 11:57 AM

Good idea Rod Action. Raffle off the firewood for the school after the float too.

freespool · 12-15-2006, 12:12 PM

I worked on the boom, and all our floats and stiff boom and boom sticks were spruce.
Cedar would also be good.

salmon hugger

SteelheadBum2 · 12-15-2006, 09:41 PM

I was either thinking about spruce trees from eastern oregon since they are light, or cedar. I am jsut going to have to go and email a lumber company, and see what they can do. If that fails.....just hit up the old home depot.

The reason I want the raft to float very high, is because I dont want that willy water to touch me lol

The willy would be such a safe float, but I am just worried about the jet sleds, and their huge wakes and rooster tails.

Jaws · 12-16-2006, 07:09 AM

Man are you in luck! I happen to be a Hop grower just north of Salem by the Wheatland Ferry. Have taken out a couple of hop yards this last year and have hundreds of poles the size you wanting. Most are lodge pole from central Or. PM me if you interested.

Jeff

Danno · 12-16-2006, 04:06 PM

Jaws, what kind of hops do you grow? I'm a big time homebrewer and help head up Hop Madness ever year where we tour a hop farm in harvest. Can you say why you're dereasing your crop acrage?

Jaws · 12-16-2006, 04:22 PM

Danno. You must know Dave Who puts it on. They have been to our hop picker the last few years. We grow a lot different kinds of hops. Nuggets,fuggles,cascades,perle,sterlings,crystals, warriors,millenniums,magnums,kent goldings, Mt hoods, and more.

Jacks or Better · 12-17-2006, 02:56 PM

Geez - I wonder how the rafts that we built and hauled to the potholes on wagons in North Dakota ever floated. They were about 6' x 6', pushed em around with a big long pole. We didn't know you were suppose to weigh the water and then times it by pi to the umpteen power to see if the darn thing would float. If it looked dry and looked like it would float, it got put into the raft somewhere. But then, we didn't have bike helmets and seat belts and Hershey bars cost a nickel. Things were a lot simpler then. Good luck on your project SB2. Sounds like an adventure. Wear your PFD.

SteelheadBum2 · 12-17-2006, 11:46 PM

Oh I will wear my PFD, and I will toat a inflatable raft behind the wooden one in case I start to go down like the titanic lol. The project is due around march; I'm going to have it done by then, but I will make the float in like June, because I need the water to be at least survivable temperature wise lol. Just think of what all the springer fisherman will think when they see a log raft coming down with a bunch of teenagers lol

Mr. Sturgeon14 · 12-18-2006, 12:13 AM

sounds like fun matt except for the fact its the willy

Fishstik 1 · 12-18-2006, 03:35 PM

A true Qregon raft is made of Aluminum, it has a 2 stroker engine with no canopy to keep you out of the rain. check with North River or Alumaweld, they make more rafts than anyone else locally.

Fishstik 1

Chrome Bumper · 12-18-2006, 03:42 PM

A pallet has around a cubic foot of wood, 20-30 of them lashed together would take about 5 minutes to build, them you could have a little bonfire to warm up by when finished.

riverstalker · 12-18-2006, 04:30 PM

One thing to remember is that you do not need really thick logs. A boat's weight capacity is equal to the volume of water it displaces minus the weight of the boat. If you can use a lighter material, say 4-5" logs, you'll have a greater weight capacity.

If you don't have to make one that is historically accurate, try using 2 wooden pallets end to end, affixed to 2 large logs that are used like pontoons. Even though it may not be how rafts were made in the time of Huck Finn, you could argue that Huck used materials that were readily available to him at little or no cost, just like pallets and some logs that are available now.