DIY Paddleboat

A paddleboat, sometimes referred to as a pedalboat, is fun and exciting to operate. However, building one from scratch is complicated and quite challenging. In order to make the process easier you can start with pre-made parts. These can be adapted and assembled to give you a paddleboat that you can enjoy for years.

Things You'll Need

  • Small fishing boat in good condition
  • 12-speed bike
  • PVC pipe
  • Shatter-resistant acrylic
  • Marine epoxy
  • Treated plywood
  • Electric drill
  • Glavanized metal screws
  • Two 9-inch metal A-frames
  • Jigsaw
  • Fishing chair
  • Rudder assembly
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Instructions

  1. Instructions

    • 1

      Remove any engine from the fishing boat. Do this by unscrewing the bolts that secure it in the engine compartment. Clean the boat well.

    • 2

      Apply marine epoxy to any cracks or holes left in the engine compartment after removing the engine. Allow epoxy to dry completely.

    • 3

      Place a piece of treated plywood over the center of the fishing boat. and secure it with metal screws. If necessary, drill pilot holes into the boat before adding the plywood. Use as many screws as necessary to keep the plywood from shifting while the boat is in use.

    • 4

      Bolt two bike pedals on either side of the largest gear from the rear gear assembly. Ensure that the bolt goes through the center of the gear and that the gear is able to spin freely when the pedals are in use.

    • 5

      Mount the gear on one of the A-frames. The gear should be secured to the A-frames' upper point. You can use the locking pin from the rear tire of the bike. Bolt the A-frame to the plywood, making sure there are 6 inches between the plywood and the bottom of the gear. When completed, the pedals should spin freely. If the pedals don't spin freely, check your assembly and correct any problems.

    • 6

      Cut 6 pieces of PVC pipe exactly 1 foot in length. Cut each of these in half lengthwise. Sand the edges of each piece until smooth. These 12 pieces of PVC pipe will be the paddles the propel your paddleboat.

    • 7

      Using a jigsaw, cut a piece of shatter-resistant acrylic to make a circle roughly equal to the diameter of the bike's rear wheel. Make 12 evenly spaced cuts around the edges of the acrylic. The cuts should be as wide as the PVC paddles are thick and should be six inches deep.

    • 8

      Using the pin that held the gears on the bike as a size guide, drill a small hole in the center of the acrylic. Secure the gear cassette to the left side of the acrylic circle using a bolt and nut. Insert the PVC paddles into their groves and secure them using the marine epoxy. Allow the epoxy to dry completely before continuing.

    • 9

      Secure the acrylic wheel and gear assembly to the rear of the fishing boat using the second A-frame. Ensure that the paddles dip approximately 4 inches into the water. If they don't hit the water, the boat won't move.

    • 10

      Mount the fishing chair to the plywood that was installed on the fishing boat. Ensure that you'll be able to comfortably reach the pedals when sitting in the chair.

    • 11

      Link the pedals to the smallest gear on the acrylic wheel using the bike chain after drilling holes for the chain to move through. If the chain is too long or too short, you may have to purchase a bike chain of the appropriate length. When installing the chain, make sure that it will not interfere with either the motion of the pedals or the movement of the paddles. If adjustments need to be made, now is the time to make them.

    • 12

      Install the rudder assembly, which can be purchased from many sporting goods stores, along the right side of the acrylic wheel. Ensure that the gear assembly still moves freely and that the rudder control is long enough for you to use it while seated in the chair. The rudder assembly will give you the ability to change directions while operating the boat. Once this is installed, your paddleboat is ready for the water.