Raft building

[Michael249]

Hey. I'm planing to build a raft for bay /river cruising . I plan to have an outboard on the raft . The raft will have a small room for cover or to relax .does any one have any suggestions on a model/shape for it??. The best way to build it . I now a general idea . Thanks

 

[rasorinc]

I do not know what type of materials you are considering for your raft or how heavy it may be but a small outboard is not going to give you much control with wind and currents nor will it push you upstream unless it is quite powerful. With the same amount of physical effort you could build a flat bottom Dory/Skif type of boat that would give you good control on the water with a small outboard. It would also afford you many other uses than a raft could. Just something to think about.

`https://www.boatdesigns.com/Outboards/departments/10/ This is the Glen-L site. Take a look at outboards Dory/Skif types from about 11' up to almost 30' Look at the photos some have small shelters.

 

[rwatson]

Hey. I'm planing to build a raft for bay /river cruising . I plan to have an outboard on the raft . The raft will have a small room for cover or to relax .does any one have any suggestions on a model/shape for it??. The best way to build it . I now a general idea . Thanks

A raft doesn't usually have much shape to it - it just floats.

Its hard to steer, power and generally control.

Think about a simple 'barge shape', that you can incorporate a little bit of shape to. For a very little bit of effort, you can make life on the water a lot more pleasant.

For example, sloping sides, and a sloping keel line towards the front, maybe a bit of a point for the bow.

If you are just making something temporary, some cheap plywood on a timber frame would be nice and simple to start with.

 

[El_Guero]

Ditto what they said.

You would be much better off with a skiff or pirogue or a small cat or trimaran.

But, a raft? In Ireland?

A kayak would be a much better answer.

 

[Michael249]

Yes thanks guys . I was thinking of a narrow, long design with a point for a bow with raised front for waves .rwatson

 

[Michael249]

Yes I own a kayak

 

[El_Guero]

Michael, go for a bigger Kayak with some features of the Canoe and the Pirogue and some from a sailing skiff. You might even go for a larger beach cat design.

There are many free plans out there, some not very good. Some better.

20' to 30 foot' about 3 foot to 6 foot wide (unless a cat). A decked canoe is a great idea. The narrow bow of the pirogue allows you to get decent beam quickly and keep a narrower beam at first for some wave splitting action.

Check out: http://www.sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/purchase-designs/beach-cats-and-dinghies, he also has small trailerable trimarans and catamarans.

Svenson's has an old and design for a really big 'surf board' sailer. http://svensons.com/boat/?p=SailBoats/Manu

http://flo-mo.weebly.com/boat-design-studies.html

Here is a 'duck hunter' http://www.gatorboats.com/duckhunter_photos.htm. I don't like the keel, or the lack of the keelson, but from the waterline up it looks like what you are talking about, modify the waterline chine and down, and you would have a much stronger boat, and I would lengthen it to about 19 to 22 feet. That would give you better load ability without being huge.

Maybe attach an ama like you would with a kayak.

But, I still like the idea of the Mana. Maybe combine some of those features with the duck? Use the Mana for the bottom and the Duck for the top?

Have fun.