Huck Finn Rafting - Building the Raft & First Voyage
Friends since 4th grade, we built a raft over Thanksgiving of 2009 and paddled it on the Charles River in Massachusetts.
In order to build our raft, our first task was to ensure that we would float. We begun brainstorming possible materials to use and we decided that a detachable container system which could store air would be the cheapest, easiest, and most durable system to implement. We then drafted plans for the raft and the flotation system together.
In order for the flotation system to work, we needed to figure out how much air placed underneath the raft would be necessary to keep us afloat. After a few calculations, we decided to use regular household storage bins to place under the raft which would hold the required amount of air. We purchased them, as well as the wood for the raft from Home Depot, along with extra wood to make the oars.
After it was built, we took the raft to an access point along the Charles River. There we came across a family who graciously offered to film for us while we assembled our raft and got it onto the river.
And then we ate pizza on it to celebrate.