How to make a raft from bottles with your own hands

For active recreation on the water, it is not necessary to use professional watercraft. Imagination, ingenuity and some tips that can be found in our article will help you build a raft from plastic bottles. The process of creating an alternative swimming device not only gives a lot of positive emotions, but also helps to take care of the environment by reducing the amount of non-recycled plastic.

What is a raft?

A raft is a simple floating structure consisting of logs, planks or reeds tied together (Figure 1). It can be considered the oldest means of swimming. With the help of a raft you can move to the other side of the river or go downstream. A huge advantage of such a craft is its ease of manufacture and transportation.

Figure 1. The most common raft options

What materials can be used to assemble a raft?

Nowadays, it is not at all necessary to build watercraft from wood (Figure 2). For help to modern man come modern materials, which are always within walking distance and do not require large financial investments. For example, plastic bottles. The swimming structure made from them will be quite strong and light, so it can not only support the weight of an adult, but is also very easy to carry. For extra buoyancy plastic containers can be combined with foam.

Figure 2. There are many options available today when choosing materials for a raft.

Building a raft with your own hands will be interesting for children and adults, and will help to have fun, both during the creation process and after.

Preparation of plastic bottles and other materials

To build your flotation device you will need plastic bottles. Depending on the displacement, different quantities may be needed. Also, for work you will need waterproof tape, and for some designs you will also need bags made of canvas fabric, ropes and boards (Figure 3).

In order to use the maximum volume of bottles, you must first prepare them.

Remove all labels from plastic containers, wash and place open bottles in the freezer for a while. Afterwards, take them out and immediately screw on the lids. When warm, the air inside the bottles will gradually heat up and expand. This technique will increase the air pressure inside the container and make it more rigid and dense.
Figure 3. Basic materials for making a raft from plastic bottles

If you care appearance your “vessel”, try to select bottles of the same color and size.

DIY bottle raft: step-by-step instructions

First you need to decide how many people your watercraft should accommodate. This determines the size of the vessel, its maneuverability, as well as the amount of materials and time spent on work (Figure 4).

Remember that a one-person raft is not only easier to make, but it will also be stronger, more stable and safer.

On the Internet you can find many options for building boats from plastic containers. Choose one of them, or come up with your own, based on the information you find and your own experience. However, for all options, several of the same rules apply, which will make the job easier and help make your raft as buoyant as possible.

Figure 4. Raft size depends solely on your needs and material availability

Carefully check all containers for holes or cracks. The container must be intact, otherwise it will leak water.

Each bottle must be tightly screwed on with a lid to prevent air from escaping. Do not use flattened containers. It is harder to connect it with others, and it has less buoyancy.

The easiest way is to divide the construction of a swimming craft into blocks. Each block consists of four bottles, forming a square, held together with waterproof tape. This design marking is very convenient and reliable. From blocks, like a puzzle, you can assemble a shape of any size, and if something happens, such “squares” can be easily replaced if they are damaged.

If desired, the blocks can be tied not only with tape, but also with rope. The main thing is that the bottles are twisted together as tightly as possible, without wobbling, otherwise the structure will simply fall apart.

The next step in construction is dividing the future raft into sections. They should consist of several blocks, and their number should be determined by the capacity and size of the future floating vehicle (Figure 5). This division will help achieve a more accurate assembly and make it easier to replace containers that have become unusable.

Using a rope, you can make loops-handles for convenient transportation of the watercraft.

Figure 5. Example of a raft with 2 and 8 sections

For maximum stability and strength of the vessel, you can make a deck from wooden planks. It will support the weight of an adult along with his equipment. Take two long slats or boards and tie them along the length of the structure. Next, you can attach either transverse strips to them, or lay a sheet of plywood on top. To prevent the deck from getting wet from splashes, it is advisable to cover it with tarpaulin or thick oilcloth.

If you are planning a long trip, install a small shelter from the sun for yourself.

Options for placing plastic bottles

Below we present the most popular options for building a raft from plastic bottles.

Option 1: horizontal arrangement of bottles

This method of arranging bottles is the simplest and is suitable for creating a small raft similar to inflatable mattress(Figure 6). Accordingly, it is better not to take risks by testing such a structure for strength, for example, by rafting down the river. This type of boat is more suitable for relaxing on the seaside or for entertaining children.

To create such a raft you will need about a hundred plastic containers, depending on the desired size, and electrical tape or waterproof tape.

Figure 6. Horizontal arrangement of bottles

Connect the bottles together in the manner described above (dividing the entire area into blocks).

Make sure that all bottles are tied with their necks facing the same direction.

You can make sides or a “pillow” by connecting not four, but six bottles into blocks, and placing them along the edges of the vessel.

After you connect all the bottles to each other, arranging each row so that the necks of the bottles are connected to the bottoms of the next row, it would be useful to additionally wrap the sides of the raft with electrical tape to avoid damage from snags or sharp stones.

Remember that without additional reinforcement wooden planks or a sheet of plywood, such a raft will not be very reliable and can quickly become unusable.

Option 2: Vertical arrangement

For this method of construction initial stages identical to the previous one.

Figure 7. Even such a floating craft can be built from vertically placed bottles

You need to prepare blocks of four bottles. When the required number of blocks is ready, begin assembling the sections, but now place the bottles with their necks down. It is more convenient to fasten such a structure in rows rather than in square sections. The vertical arrangement of the bottles allows you to make a more durable base for the deck, which will not sag so much under the weight of a person due to the smaller contact area (Figure 7). You can put not plywood on the bottoms of the bottles, but, for example, a piece of linoleum or a wicker mat.

In order to make the sides of such a raft, you may need a rope or wire that will be used to secure the towering bottles. Such option will do for long swims, ensuring the safety of passengers and their belongings.

Option 3: design from large containers

We consider large containers to be 20-liter bottles or plastic canisters. Due to their size, it will take little time to fasten such containers and build a floating craft. more than an hour(Figure 8).

Figure 8. An example of constructing a raft from plastic barrels

To build, in addition to bottles, you will need boards, wire, nails and a sheet of plywood.

From the boards you need to assemble a simple frame similar to the type of sheathing. Close the plastic containers tightly and screw them to the frame using wire. Fix a sheet of plywood on top and, if desired, cover it with tarpaulin or oilcloth. Such a raft will be very stable, and even bulky, but it will be able to accommodate a large company.

Option 4: a raft of very small bottles

Half-liter bottles can also be used to build a floating craft. In order to reduce the amount of painstaking work, you can fill polypropylene bags with plastic containers instead of tying bottles (Figure 9).

Figure 9. Raft made of small plastic bottles

You will need up to a dozen of these bags. Having tied them tightly, tie them together, or tie them to wooden frame(same as in the previous version of the raft). It is better to tie bags not with tape, but with thin wire or polypropylene twine.

Some tips:

The raft frame can be assembled not only from wooden slats, but also from strong branches. This method is suitable if you are relaxing in nature, away from the city. You can fasten the branches together using twine, tape or wire.

To steer the raft you will need oars. They are also easy to make from scrap materials. Take a long, strong stick, having previously cleared it of twigs and interfering twigs, and insert it into the neck of a flattened two- or five-liter bottle. Secure them together with tape or string. Make the required number of oars, and feel free to go swimming.

Figure 10. The end result of imagination and creativity when making a raft from plastic bottles

If you are connecting the structure with wire, handle and hide the sharp ends so as not to accidentally injure yourself while swimming.

Fantasize, invent own design design, taking into account exactly what you need from the watercraft (Figure 10). The cheapness of materials and their widespread availability allows you to experiment to achieve the desired result. If you are going on a long voyage, then you should take care of the availability of protection from the sun and bad weather, as well as build special fastenings or a place to store things.

A distinctive feature of your vessel can be a small sail or flag. Make it colorful, or write the name of your little boat on it.

After use, the plastic raft must be removed from the water and dried well in the sun, otherwise the materials may become unusable. If you plan to store homemade design until next season, hide it in a dry place where there will be no sharp drop temperatures By observing these storage conditions, the homemade raft can be used for several years.

Video of the process of making a raft from bottles

Answer

As a child, I had some old book with all sorts of wonderful crafts (a camera out of a box, a telephone out of cans, it seems) and there was something like this raft. True, not from plastic bottles, of course, but from their inflatable balls. There was no plastic as such then (at the time of the book’s release)

Answer

1. The book was called “One Hundred Conceits of Two Friends”!

   Answer

Lena, next time invite Dmitry to film the process if there is no one among your own to hire 😀

Answer

After reading the article, I remembered my summer holidays in the village. My friends, whom I only saw during the holidays, surprised me every time with their skills and abilities to do something unusual. Either they would build a dugout, or a house on a tree or from turf, and all sorts of floating devices were the most favorite topic. They were built from plastic bottles and wood, and the hippest ones were those that had a camera from tractor wheel. Bottle rafts were the most unreliable. At first we swam on such rafts, then the bottles floated on us, as the bags were constantly untied =)

Answer

The craving for “sea travel” is probably inherent in everyone)) And this raft also has such a serious environmental background. This is how young people should be encouraged to clean up natural recreational areas! What else could you come up with that would be so intricate for the rest of the (non-aquatic) garbage? 🙂

Answer

I saw such a raft in action among fishermen.

Answer

The raft is compact, easy to build, and can be made from any available materials. For example, you can build a raft from plastic bottles. All you need:

• Rope
• Bottles
• Waterproof tape

But you can’t go anywhere without preparation. Bottles need to be checked for cracks and holes. Tear off the labels, wash, close tightly with lids so that air cannot escape.

These are the battleships with vertically positioned bottles that transport people to Malaysia.

Or you can place the bottles horizontally and it will turn out pretty good.

Dimensions are limited only by imagination and the number of passengers.

And I spent time with the child and saved on travel.

Just 800 bottles, a couple of boards and a romantic vacation on the water is ready.

And on such a “yacht” a resident of Crimea went on a trip to Odessa.

But Odessa residents, on the contrary, are in a hurry to leave their hometown.

On such a rocket, the guys from Pskov conquered the water festival.

A knife, ingenuity, time, and not even a raft, the whole boat is ready to sail.

You have the materials, you have the desire, you have the crew, so why waste time on trifles? Whistle everyone on the yards.

Patience, tape and labor, if they don’t grind everything, at least they will help you swim.

Complete the sides and you can open the transport line.

DIY raft: 10 drawings of the best models

Anyone can come up with their own model of a raft, making it with their own hands. There are many materials for their construction, but they are usually made from:

• wood;
• logs;
• plastic bottles and canisters;
• barrel;
• polystyrene foam;
• cameras;

Each raft is special to the designer. You don’t have to invent raft models, but take drawings from the Internet, you can only add your own details. Top ten drawings best models included both relatively simple and complex models rafts

To build you will need: an ax, a knife.

Without fish, reeds are like wood. All you need: reeds, a couple of sticks and a rope or its substitute.

Why is it not simple? Boards, bottles and forward to boarding.

Four barrels, a dismantled local pier, a rope - the raft is ready. Goodbye Earth.

You'll have to put in a lot of effort, but what a result!

Professional rescue rafts from the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Such a raft can support up to 5 people, of medium capacity. Well, a couple of boxes of 40 degree fuel.

All people over 30 have heard of Tom Sawyer. This is the same raft.

The sailing raft "Yukaghir" is not a fairy tale?

A raft built on chambers. The Black Pearl would be jealous of such a “destroyer.”

Read in full (link)

DIY canister raft 8 photos

A high-quality and difficult-to-sink raft, can be made from canisters. Of course, the more there are, the better, but 40 canisters are enough to keep two people afloat. To build it you will need 50x160 cm boards, cans, rope or tape, and enthusiasm.

To strengthen the structure, you can use metal packaging tape and several boards measuring 30x155 cm, which are attached to the finished frame. It is advisable to cover the boards with paint or glue to prevent deformation.

Floating cottage.

Budget, relatively quick option. I dismantled the neighbor's fence, took a rope with canisters and go for it.

This raft requires 28 canisters. At least cross the sea.

Another a budget option, the main thing is that the canisters are intact, and then, you see, it won’t drown.

A combined version of canisters with bottles, which were combined into blocks. The only thing missing is a sun canopy.

This amount is definitely enough for one person. The main thing is to do everything carefully and not touch the canisters.

A combined option, not budget, but worth it. Complete the chairs and canopy, and the excursions can begin.

Read in full (link)

DIY log raft 9 photos

The most ancient, but reliable material for building a raft is logs. It is not always possible to find even boards, but there are always logs, the only problem is their extraction. Despite the fact that they are heavy, they stick to the water like plastic, very well. For the most simple models All you need is logs, rope or its substitute.

Correct raft bundle.

Nobody bothered too much here. It floats and is fine.

Norwegian raft. The guys are trying very hard, it’s a massive job, it’s worth it.

A single raft for fishing, with normal currents you can get anywhere on the water.

The process of making a raft from logs with your own hands.

The guys from the USA spare no effort; such a “raft” can fit a truck or half a hundred people. In general, how will it go?

Hunting version of a single-seater raft.

This option is suitable even for romantic dates.

Floating house. For people tired of the city bustle.

Read in full (link)

12 photos - a raft made of wood, made by yourself

The main material for building a raft is wood. Without it, it would be impossible to launch a single raft. A wooden raft made by yourself can be combined with other materials: tubes, bottles, polystyrene foam, etc. It is better to choose wood without rotten parts or traces of termites. If possible, you can paint it for additional protection.

Model of an advanced raft from the middle of the last century.

Similar rafts were also used for military purposes. A couple of boxes of ammunition and 2-3 people will fit without any problems.

A simple version of a single-person raft. The main thing is to firmly nail and tie the materials together.

Bamboo raft from Thailand. Very light, maneuverable and durable.

Bamboo doesn’t grow here, but there are plenty of craftsmen.

Swimming through Siberian rivers is not a question.

The guys from Bryansk are preparing for the water festival.

Our domestic battleship. It wouldn’t be a shame to go around the world with this.

A good compact model that can accommodate two adults.

You won't be able to sail far on this, but you can swim close to the shore.

Island rafts are popular among tourists.

Read in full (link)

DIY foam raft 9 ideas + photos

When choosing a material for building a raft, you can pay attention to polystyrene foam. It is lightweight, durable, inexpensive, and most importantly, accessible to anyone. The amount of materials for building a foam raft with your own hands is limited only by imagination and time.

One of the simplest models. The foam blocks are held together with wood. It can be done without cross boards, but the raft will be unstable.

Practical implementation by the Finns. You can barbecue on it, sleep, or fish. You can take 3-6 people on board.

And this guy decided to go to the social network while sailing, why is unknown, but the main thing is that his raft did not sink.

Why not a canoe? Only made of polystyrene foam.

Here the guys decided not to waste time on trifles. Build a raft, so build it safely.

But a sailboat worth all the money. I found time to both build and sail.

With such a battleship, even to the far north. The main thing is not to fall into the water.

They prepare thoroughly, no, one might even say epically.

Read in full (link)

A raft is an extremely common construction of water transport, and it is much easier to make than a canoe or boat. There are various techniques for constructing rafts, you can do conventional design from boards or logs, using barrels or PVC pipes that will keep it afloat. In addition, you can build a raft entirely from empty bottles of soft drinks - this is true, tested in practice! Take a wide one adhesive tape, with the help of which all the bottles are fastened together.

What can a raft be made from?

One of the popular types of rafts is wood. To make such a craft, you need to choose quality logs and planks of strong wood. Many craftsmen are thinking about building a wooden raft, since this type of water transport is excellent for fishing and long hiking trips.

But besides this, there are other types of rafts. This can be polystyrene foam, inner tubes from cars, plastic and iron barrels, as well as cans or plastic bottles, and you will learn below how to make a raft from plastic bottles. Special pontoons are also sold for making rafts, but they are quite expensive. The most affordable and simple option is a water structure made from plastic bottles.

How to make a raft

Don't know how to make a raft out of bottles? You can make a watercraft with my own hands, for this you will need:

1. 20-25 plastic bottles with a volume of 2 liters.
2. The tape is waterproof.

The number of bottles can be changed at your own discretion, depending on the size of the raft and the number of people who will be on it.

Raft construction process

How to make a raft with your own hands from bottles and where to start?

• Cool the opened empty bottles in the refrigerator, then screw the caps tightly to stiffen the containers.
• Glue the prepared containers into a single sheet. Using moisture-resistant tape, connect 4 bottles one by one, laid out in 2 rows. A two-layer raft is much more stable and durable. Make sure that the bottle caps are located on one side. For a full-fledged raft you will need approximately 5-6 double-row blocks.
• Glue rows of ready-made blocks. To ensure the strength of the system, bottles should be stacked in the following way: 2 pieces horizontally and 3 vertically. As a result, a standard rectangular “pillow” is formed.
• Combine bottles. Adjacent rows must be laid one after another according to the plug-bottom pattern. The side of the raft should be additionally reinforced with tape. This structure is designed for 1 passenger!

How to make a raft from bottles with your own hands for two or three people? It's very simple - the number plastic containers increases two and three times. If you don’t have enough 2-liter bottles, you can take other sizes (5, 1.5 and even 1 liter). It is recommended to lay a thin plywood sheet or plastic on top of the glued bottles so that the raft does not press under the influence of a person’s weight.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and fantasize, but don’t forget about safety rules!

log raft

Don't know how to make a raft from wood with your own hands? In order to make a structure from logs, you will need dry pine or spruce wood, that is, when you tap it with an ax, the sound should be clear. But you need to take into account that dry material with old wood is not at all suitable for the construction of a swimming structure. Such a tree will become damp very quickly, and the raft itself will sink. To determine the specific gravity, you need to saw off a small piece of about 10-11 cm from the end of the log with a tool. Then throw it flat into the water. If the stump goes 5-6 cm down, then this wood is well suited for building a raft. So, how to make a raft from planks?

You will need:

• Logs 8-9 cm wide and 1.5 m long - 2 pieces.
• Wooden planks approximately 2.5 cm thick, 13 cm wide and 91 cm long - 11 pieces.
• Thin planks 5 mm thick, 13 cm wide and 91 cm long - 5 pieces.

Manufacturing process

Don't know how to make a raft? The assembly process consists of the following steps:

• Place two logs parallel to each other at a distance of 85 cm.
• Place eleven planks across the logs to form a deck. The boards need to be laid in such a way that they slightly extend beyond the line of the logs, which, in turn, should protrude slightly from all sides from under the deck.
• Hammer it all in with nails.
• Turn the raft upside down.
• Insert foam between the logs. Try to choose a piece that is the same size as the raft. If found right size If it didn’t work out, then you can use separate pieces, the main thing is to arrange them carefully.
• Lay 5 thin boards across the logs to secure the foam.
• Nail them down.
• Turn the raft over and lower it into the water. This design is designed for one adult passenger of average build.

Important! When using a raft on a lake, you must wear a life jacket. This structure should not be taken onto a river as it is unstable and can be dangerous in moving water. Suitable for such movements only inflatable raft, which is used in competitive sports such as rafting, but is quite expensive. The structure made from logs, made with one’s own hands, is perfect for a lake; you can fish or sunbathe on it.

Structural features

You already know how to make a raft from wood; it’s time to figure out how to choose the right material.

• The largest diameter of the log is 25-30 cm.
• Minimum - 10 cm.
• To ensure that the future raft made of logs has good durability, thin logs are placed in the middle, and thicker ones along the side. If the logs are slightly crooked, then these parts are placed in the lower part.
• Allowable gaps between logs are 2-3 centimeters. Otherwise, the water structure will be unreliable and inert, and besides, it simply won’t be possible to build a raft according to all the rules.
• The logs are stacked on a slipway, after which they are rolled out to the sides and their upper parts are marked.

Raft grooves

At a short distance of 80 cm from the end, grooves are formed on the main log (sawed or cut down). An indispensable condition is the location of the lower grooves at the same level. In depth they should approach the center of the log - this is very important. If this condition is not met, when hammering in a wedge, you risk damaging the sawn wood. As a sample, a special end is used, which is hewn out of damp birch. It is placed on the designated log with the central part.

Don't know how to make a raft out of wood? Next, in a groove prepared in advance on it, it is freely located on top, and Bottom part fills the top of the groove. A wedge is driven between the groove wall and the slope side. It should be woody and dry, the ronjins should be placed in one plane.

Having worked out the technique on the sample, you can move on to the rest of the logs and make the same grooves. They are sequentially secured with wedges to the main log. Before laying the last logs, a different type of groove is formed in them, suitable for vags. In addition, 3 special stands are cut out, approximately 11 cm wide and approximately 70 cm high.

After this, the main rope is pulled over them, instead of which you can use wire twists or rope ties.

Design selection

Don't know how to make a raft? If you are going to use the raft on calm lakes, then it is better to use the “P” scheme. 2 racks are cut into the logs in advance, onto which the deck is subsequently placed. It needs to be wedged out and a paddling area cut out. To avoid spalling of the racks, the rows should be placed at a distance of 50 cm from the stern and bow.

On fast-flowing and impassable rivers, it is necessary to use structures with an iron frame, for the construction of which modules and couplings are used. Modules can be taken of different lengths, but the coupling must be shaped. In order to build such a raft, a lot of effort will be required. There will be a lot of drilling involved and the help of a turner will also be required.

But despite all of the above, the resulting raft will be quite easy to assemble and disassemble. To pack the structure you will need two kayak covers and a separate case for storing oars.

The attractive thing is that the resulting frame can, if desired, be divided into two small rafts or even assembled into a catamaran.

Raft made of inner tubes

You have decided to carry out summer days on the bank of a river or lake and there is a problem of lack of swimming transport? In this case, you can use the system of a shallow-draft tourist raft, which can support up to 6 people with backpacks; in addition, the design has decent stability, including on a fast-flowing river. Next you will learn how to make a raft, this process is as simple as possible.

You will need:

• Cameras from a car with a diameter of up to one and a half meters - 6-10 pieces.
• Wooden poles with a diameter of at least 6 cm and a length of 5 m - 3 pieces, with a length of 1.7 m - 4 pieces.
• Pieces of duralumin pipes.
• Iron or duralumin strips about 10 mm wide.

Manufacturing

Don't know how to make a raft with your own hands? Follow these steps:

• Place wooden poles 5 meters long lengthwise, the shorter ones across them at the same distance from each other.
• Next, the manufacturing of the main deck and the “captain’s” bridge begins. They are 3 shields made from assembled poles. First of all, the main deck is made. On two hewn poles 1.7 m long, poles or pieces of two-meter planks 20 mm wide (this is even better) are laid out and driven in with nails. “Commander’s” bridges are constructed in a similar way.
• The supports for the canopy are willow twigs. You should proceed to making the raft only after they have been installed. First of all, the car cameras are tied to the base with ropes, then the main deck and “captain’s” bridges are installed. The sides are made from 4 hewn poles, and the canopy is made from a piece of cellophane.
• The rowing (control oar) supports are located diagonally on the bridges: on the front part - on the right, and on the rear - on the left side. The supports are bent from three duralumin pipes and reinforced with two steel or duralumin strips. The rowing itself is made from long poles (250 cm), and the blades are made from duralumin or plywood sheets (sizes are selected individually).
• The frame is formed using a cable with a diameter of 6 mm and modules 200 cm long, their connecting parts are hinges. A 20 degree bend is formed at this point. The frame weighs approximately 80 kg. On solid shafts, cable breaks are possible.

Conclusion

Now you know how to make a raft, so if you are thinking about an upcoming vacation on a lake or river, thinking about leisure time on the shore and leisurely boat trips, you need to build a shallow-draft water transport for 5-6 people. The diagram presented above also includes their backpacks. For fishing on a calm lake alone, a raft made from plastic bottles is quite suitable.

Do you dream of fishing in the very middle of the river, but you don’t have the money to buy a boat? Build a universal watercraft that does not require special costs, from empty plastic bottles and scrap materials. Knowing how to make such a raft, you can gradually improve your creation, making it more and more comfortable and stable.

Preparation of materials

To build a raft you will need empty plastic bottles. It is most convenient to work with containers of 5-6 liters. You need less of them than two-liter ones, so building a raft will take less time and effort. Among other things, you will need waterproof tape. Some structures also require bags (not linen) and boards.

Before assembling the raft, the bottles need to be processed. To make the raft look good from the outside, try to collect plastic containers of the same color, size and shape. To keep your raft afloat better, select only intact and undeformed containers. Wash all plastic containers, free them from stickers and glue residues. The plastic bottles themselves are very soft. To make them harder and denser, it is necessary to increase the air pressure in them. To do this, briefly place the open bottles in freezer, and then take them out and close them immediately. At room temperature The air will gradually heat up and expand, making the plastic containers harder.

We build a raft with our own hands

There are several options for the design of a swimming craft, differing in material and time costs:

• The simplest raft. Outwardly, it looks a little like an air mattress. To create it you will need at least 120 plastic bottles. Wrap the prepared container with tape, connecting 4 pieces into one block. Make 30 to 50 of these blanks, and then use the same tape to connect them all together. Make sure that the containers are tightly screwed and pointing in the same direction. For reliability, the lids can be not just screwed on, but placed on waterproof glue.
• A raft made from a clamshell. To create it you need empty plastic containers, beer crates, a board, tape, ropes and a folding bed. Place empty bottles into 4 beer crates and secure them there with rope. Free the folding bed frame from the fabric and fastenings. Using ropes and tape, attach the bottle boxes to the corners of the frame. Attach a board in the center of the raft on which you can sit while swimming.
• Raft made of bottles and boards. In this case, you can use containers of different volumes, colors and shapes - this will not affect the appearance and buoyancy. Take plastic bags and stuff them tightly with closed, empty plastic bottles. Tie the bags tightly with string. The number of bags is not limited. The more there are, the more weight the raft can support. Use the boards to form the frame of the future raft, fastening them in the form of a grid. Attach the bags with bottles to the resulting knocked down wooden mesh with tape and ropes. For convenience, the frame can be covered with thick fabric.

After use, the watercraft must be taken out of the water and dried thoroughly, otherwise it will quickly become unusable. It is advisable to store it in a dry place, protected from wind and cold. At proper storage such a raft can be used for more than one year.