the raft so far...

[SeaSpark]

Where i live tar is banned for ecological reasons, it would also mess up the cherry flavoured pickerel taste.

[sigurd]

Yes it would be more like a smoked flavour.

[sigurd]

Can you tell more about why it is banned?

[SeaSpark]

from: http://www.nature.nps.gov/hazardssaf...ic/coaltar.pdf

Coal tar contains a great variety of mononuclear and
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Among the hazardous
substances in coal tar are benzene, toluene, phenol, naphthalene,
anthracene, and others. It also contains benzo(a)pyrene, a
strong carcinogen.

The hazards of coal tar as a complex mixture are not well
documented, but should relate to hazards from the
constituents in coal tar. Coal tar consists of a mixture
of many organic compounds, like benzene, toluene, phenol,
naphthalene, anthracene, and others. It is the
aromatics that pose the most danger to both humans and
fish and wildlife. Chronic effects of some of the
constituents in coal tar include changes in the liver and
harmful effects on the kidneys, heart, lungs, and nervous
system

[djwkd]

maybe you could get offcuts of wood or plywood,i got some first from B&Q for 50p (about $1) a plank but i found out i can get offcuts of ply free (this is in England,north tyneside,north shields) from the local woodyard.

[djwkd]

if there iron,they rust,if they dont have a moderate-strong content of iron they wont.also,the beast idea forthe barrels is to waterproof it or paint it or put something around it (if possible).:-)

[marshmat]

My grandfather swears by Thompson's WaterSeal.... we've used this stuff on docks and rafts for almost 30 years, and haven't replaced many treated boards. Repairs to properly treated wood rafts and docks around here are usually due more to ice and winter heaving, than to deterioration of the wood.

[djwkd]

Originally Posted by marshmat

My grandfather swears by Thompson's WaterSeal.... we've used this stuff on docks and rafts for almost 30 years, and haven't replaced many treated boards. Repairs to properly treated wood rafts and docks around here are usually due more to ice and winter heaving, than to deterioration of the wood.

is it just like a paste or is it harmful,do you need a mask and can it waterproof or is it just a seal?

[marshmat]

It's a thin clear liquid, just brushes on and soaks in. Read the MSDS of course, but I don't think it's particularly troublesome health-wise compared to many of the alternatives. We use it on docks and decks, not sure how it would hold up on a boat but it's pretty cheap anyway. There are of course several hundred similar products available, many of which are surely just as good or better.