Sealing of 55 Gallon Drums

Amoe,

If it's just a raft, you can break it into 8' sections, but it's got to be done right.
It will add: weight, expense, build-time, complexity and anxiety...
And will complicate trailer launching hugely, both in and out.

You've got up to 8.5' beam on the roadway.
Why not 8' beam? It's a raft?
8x16 would be more comfortable.
If the raft weighs 500 pounds, that leaves ~670 pounds.
Wait... you can only have 3 people on board.

I think we're getting ahead of ourselves here.
How about an 8'x 8' raft.
Use all eight barrels around the perimeter.
1/3 less floor space, less weight, less cost.
Improved stability and loading characteristics.

A 30" square hatch opening in the centre could prove entertaining.
Piano hinge each half to centre open 1/2 at a time and lay flat on deck.

I don't know if 8'x 8' would meet your needs but it sure seems sensible to me.

Cheers!

 

No response despite a forum visit this morning.
I guess that doesn't meet your needs.

Well, good luck amoe!

 

Sorry about that, I checked the response real fast but then had to get some stuff done and then forgot. I do like the idea, and do believe that may be better because of my transportation situation and that it will only be used as a raft. I'll look some more into and the numbers in a little bit. Thanks!

 

I have a dock that uses plastic drums, it’s been close to 15 years with zero maintenance or issues.

I think I used silicone on the threads. It’s out of the water now and the drums do exhibit a bit of contraction when it’s cold, more than when in the water. For a few days floating around on a lake or river it would be a non issue.