Building a raft w/ pvc pipe?

In Taiwan, large plastic pipe is commonly used for utility and fishing vessels based on the bamboo rafts traditional to the Island.
This is not theory, but everyday practice.
Here are some sources:
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/boat-design/different-world-rigid-inflatable-boats-38774-2.html
http://images.search.yahoo.com/imag...b=139bts4mi&sigi=11ndhj7ci&.crumb=d80gcYjkWP9

 

Using PVC

I have thought of using pvc many years ago to build a rubber ducky and even started collecting pvc to do this, i see no reason why pvc can't be used, even in a house boat construction for pontoons if you could strap enough together, but i also found out that this stuff is expensive,would be good to no a few plumbers.
Check out and post in http://www.allcatamarans.com/ they also talk on home made boats etc you may find some more answers, I know theres a guy just down the road that welds the stuff and does a good job,he also weld all sought's of plastic. But at the end of the day i have not seen any pvc boats getting around,but i shall keep my eyes open for them.

 

pontoon confusion

I have read about the pipes etc etc.and get the point.
My question is using 200l plastic drums sitting inside a steel frame which I have already.
The rig is about 40feet x 10 feet for the Americans ,or 12m x 5m for the rest of us.
I anticipate ten drums each side.
Nor sure if its enough ,whether i need more or whether i must fill the drums up with bottles etc.

I intend to cruise down the zambeze in mozambique as i am mad about crocs hippos etc.
:?:

 

"I have read about the pipes etc etc.and get the point."

If you are asking this question, I'm not sure you do get the point.

200 litres = 200 kg of lift

20 drums = 4000 kg of lift

So your vessel must never exceed 1/3 of that if it is a cat design.

You could bump up your safety factor by filling them with sealed bottles.

Does that help?

 

Dont know anything about PVC pipe boats , but I do see speedy fish farm workboats...cats...made of large diameter Polypropylene ? tubes. Big tubes, saw off flat at the transom and tapered like a torpedo at the bow. You might do some googling .

 

To answer your question. Though I do not reccomend pvc pipe for flotation do to it's structiol weekness. a 4" id pcv pipe caped at both ends 8' long will hold about 70 lbs close to 90 but taken away the weight of the scd. 40 pvc.

 

To make a raft 4" wide @ 13' long
Sch40 Green pipe

12 x 4" diam - 851 lbs total displacement = 400 lbs safe
8 x 6" diam - 1267 " " 600
6 x 8" diam - 1700 " " 850

Strapped together with stainless wire - wooden deck

Most commercial rafts in China are about 25' long - so double these figures

http://www.youtube.com/embed/HOyZhdmKD1I?list=UUigPzFy8orZHZIxBu9DWfqQ" frameborder="0"

Or youtube - caswellsubs - Caswell Trip on the river rafts

Want the motor too?
http://www.caswellexpo.com/the-longtail-or-mud-motor.html

Hope this helps

 

ROFL!

 

PVC degrades in sunlight, try ABS

 

Who cares? How long will THAT take, and 90% of it is under cover anyway. You're looking for gremlins where its proven they don't exist.

 

Here's my prototype 4" pipe raft. Carries safely about 500lbs.

http://www.moonrakers.com/subclub/RAFTS/raft.html

 

Clever. The bow could be a simple sheet of metal formed on a break to a v with a return too. Substitute for the front lashing. Only a second idea, nothing wrong with all pipe. Middle lashing under the plywood deck?

 

Shouldn't be too hard to get UVPVC, about all they sell here.

 

I realy don't know why a lot of people wish to use PVC piping. Maybe it's because its a common material and they think it may be cheap.

The fact is HDPE pipe is way stronger and not much more expensive. It's easy to weld at around 300 degrees F. Simple way if crimping the ends and making more streamline. Should last about 50 years and is UV resistant.

Any thoughts?

 

Here is my 26' raft, copied from the Chinese rafts at the beginning of this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9Qv3Pe63Vs
8 x 6" pipes . Note the bow has been heated and then bent up.