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How to Build a Pontoon Boat Using Plastic Barrels

A pontoon boat utilizes two or more buoyant cylinders to balance the craft in lieu of a V-shaped hull. Tests have shown this method is more stable than the more traditional V-shape, making pontoon boats easier to remain on for long periods or while carrying out other tasks. Commercial pontoon boats are state of the art and very difficult to build from scratch, however, simple pontoon platforms or small craft can be created out of a board and some plastic barrels. As with any craft, utmost care should be taken when operating on water; never sail out into deep or expansive water alone.

Things You'll Need

4 plastic barrels
Marker
Drill
4 threaded metal dowels
8 washers
8 nuts
PTFE tape
Silicone sealant
Plywood
Nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Measure 1/4 of the way around the circumference of one of the barrels and make a mark at this point, half way along the length of the barrel. Do the same on the opposite side of the barrel and repeat on the other three plastic barrels. Drill holes at each of the marks.
- 2
  Measure the diameter of one of the plastic barrels. Ensure that two of your threaded metal dowels are twice the diameter of the plastic barrel plus 2 inches.
- 3
  Push a metal threaded dowel through the pair of holes in one of the barrels. Continue to push the end of the dowel through and feed it through the pair of holes in a second barrel. Push the two barrels together and put a washer on both exposed ends of the dowel. Secure the dowel at each end with a nut. Repeat this with the other two barrels.
- 4
  Measure the length of one of the plastic barrels. Ensure that two of your threaded metal dowels are twice the length of the plastic barrel plus 2 inches.
- 5
  Drill holes in the center of the top of each barrel. Drill holes in the center of the bottom of each barrel. Push a threaded metal dowel through one of the holes and out through the other end of the barrel. Thread the exposed end through the hole in the top of another barrel and out the end to connect the two pairs joined of barrels together. Add a washer and nut at each end and secure. Repeat this with the other two barrels to create a secured raft of four barrels together.
- 6
  Spread silicon sealant around the openings where the metal protrudes from the barrels to prevent the barrel from taking on water. Cover this with PTFE tape.
- 7
  Cut the plywood board to size so it fits on top of the four barrels. Nail the board onto the barrels with four pairs of nails into each barrel, making sure the board is secure.

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