How to Make Rafts From Bamboo & Inflated Tubes

Using both bamboo and tubes to create a raft is a smart way to ensure that your craft will remain afloat even under adverse conditions. If the inflated tubes rupture, for instance, the bamboo on top will still keep the raft afloat (and you with it). The creation of a tube/bamboo raft is a simple process, with minimal materials needed, and only a few skills (such as rope lashing) need to be learned.

Things You'll Need

  • Bamboo
  • Twine/rope
  • Inflatable Tubes
  • Saw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inflate your inner tubes. Use at least four tubes--one for each corner. You can use more if you'd like, but the number of tubes may also vary depending on the size of your raft. Having four tubes may be as many as you can physically fit under the latched bamboo. For tubes, use more durable, thick rubber tubing as opposed to thin, plastic children's tubes. Once inflated, set them aside.

    • 2

      Place four bamboo poles on the ground parallel to one another about two feet apart. These will just be supports--holding your raft off the ground to make it easier to lash later.

    • 3

      Begin making a frame out of bamboo for your raft. Place two thick bamboo poles parallel to one another across the bamboo supports from the last step. Place these poles about four to five feet apart. The bamboo poles should be about six feet in length. Cut them down to size as needed with your saw.

    • 4

      Place four to five lengths of bamboo perpendicular to the two poles laid down in step 3. Each pole should be approximately four-and-a-half to five-and-a-half feet long (depending on how far apart you placed the poles in the previous step), so cut them to size as needed. The poles should be placed about one foot from one another.

    • 5

      Lash the poles together with twine or rope. Rope will be stronger, where twine may snap or break more commonly. Make sure the knots are secure. Lash every intersection between two poles. If two poles touch, lash it with rope.

    • 6

      Place six-foot long bamboo lengths on top of the five cross-beams of bamboo from Step 5. Place them directly next to each other, lashing them into place as you go. Make a solid floor as you move along, as this will be what you sit on.

    • 7

      Place the four inflatable tubes on a square configuration at the same dimensions as your raft. Place the tubes so that the nozzles are pointing upward and can be reached easily in case you need to refill them. If you are going to use more than four tubes, place them evenly in the center of the configuration--spread them out so the weight of the raft is dispersed evenly.

    • 8

      Set your raft on top of the tubes so that one tube is in every corner of the raft. Use a friend to help you as the raft will be heavy.

    • 9

      Lash the tubes into place under the raft so they are securely in place. Set it afloat on the water and step aboard.