How to Build a Swamp Boat

Many types of boats can be operated in a swamp, from pirogues to airboats. They sit either high in the water or on top of the water, making it easy to navigate them through the dense swamp. You can build your own swamp boat out of plywood. The boat has a flat bottom and is lightweight, so it easily skims across the surface of a swamp.

Things You'll Need

  • 3 sheets of plywood
  • 1-by-1s
  • Cable ties
  • Electric saw
  • Electric drill
  • Marine epoxy
  • Glass tape
  • Wood screws
  • Waterproof varnish
  • Paintbrush
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut two pieces of plywood, each 1 by 6 feet. Place these pieces directly on top of each other. Make sure they are lined up exactly. Drill five holes evenly spaced along one short edge of the plywood. The holes should go through both pieces of plywood. Repeat this at the opposite end of the plywood. Stitch the two pieces of plywood together using the cable ties. The loose ends of the ties should be on the outside of your boat.

    • 2

      Stand the two pieces of plywood on a third piece of plywood. This third piece should be an entire sheet of uncut plywood, typically 4 by 8 feet. One long side of the two pieces of plywood (which are connected by the cable ties and therefore act as one piece for the moment) should touch the third piece of plywood. The third piece of plywood will be the flat bottom of your boat. Pull the two pieces of plywood apart in the center, creating the interior of your boat. It is usually easier if you get inside the boat (between the two pieces of joined plywood) and push the sides apart to achieve the shape you want. They should curve outward, creating canoe-like shape. You want the boat at least 3 feet wide for stability. Enlist the aid of a friend to trace the shape of the boat on the third piece of plywood.

    • 3

      Cut out the bottom of the boat. Drill holes every 5 inches along the entire edge of the bottom of the boat. Drill similar holes along the bottom edge of the sides of the boat. The holes should line up when the sides are stretched into place. Attach the sides to the bottom using cable ties, keeping the loose ends of the cable ties on the outside of the boat.

    • 4

      Apply the marine epoxy to every seam of the boat. Work inside the boat to better seal the seams. Allow the epoxy to dry according to the manufacturer's directions before continuing.

    • 5

      Cut the cable ties and remove. Seal the seams of the boat from the outside using the marine epoxy. Allow to dry according to the manufacturer's directions.

    • 6

      Cut three cross bars out of 1-by-1s for your canoe. The first will be the longest, approximately 3 feet in length. This is installed using wood screws in the very center of the boat. The other two cross bars can be installed closer to the ends of the boat. Seal the screw holes from the outside of the boat using marine epoxy.

    • 7

      Turn the boat so that the bottom of the boat faces upwards. Coat the entire exterior of the boat with waterproof varnish. Apply at least three coats of varnish. Follow the manufacturer's directions to determine drying times between coats. Allow the varnish to cure for two weeks before placing the boat in the water.