2x4s for frames...will it work?

I'm building a 16' drift boat on the cheap...real cheap.  I've found a bunch of old 2x4's.  Can I use these for the frames or will that be way too heavy for the boat? Can I just screw those 2x4s together and call it good? I am willing to accept that this is a crazy idea. -Thanks for any advice!

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Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on July 4, 2011 at 7:26pm
It will be a drift would?
Permalink Reply by lhedrick on July 3, 2011 at 8:22pm

A drift wood drift boat.  Outstanding.

One of the wood workers in my shop gets all kinds of recycled wood.  Many nails and screws under old paint.  Before milling we run a small magnet over the surface to find the suckers.  Nothing worse then a nick in a planer blade or putting sparks in the dust collector system.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on July 4, 2011 at 7:25pm

It also helps to have a cheap saw to rip through this stuff.  Yup lots of flying sparks and sand... even some seaweed.

 

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on July 2, 2011 at 7:45am

Have you found any oak pallets yet? I have found many of them, but never determined if the were red or white oak. Might make a great stem and if need by could be laminated. I got a bunch of "Eucalyptus" for free from a countertop / granite store. Most of the pieces I got were a couple of meters long and if the wood is really one of the Eucalyptus species it might make good chines, chine logs or gunnels if milled down and scarfed.

I am excited to see pictures of your build. Maybe you could have a raffle for your boat after the float with the proceeds going to a favorite cause. Anyway good luck with the build and keep us informed.

 

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on July 6, 2011 at 11:16am

I'm loving the driftwood boat concept. 

I once rowed an original Woodie Hindman boat that was mostly rot, braced with a few hideous old 2x4's, and held together with paint and inertia. One of the nicest rowing boats I've ever been in. It made me realize how little strength is needed, and how much sweet lines and light construction are the real keys to a boat that runs like a water-skeeter.

So I'd say rip those driftwood frames down as thin as you dare. Keep this wacky boat as light as you can.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on July 6, 2011 at 2:46pm
These frames are definitely a bit heavier than Woodie Hindman had in mind.  Ah well, just more fuel for the bonfire at the take out.
Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on July 6, 2011 at 2:55pm
Those look REALLY COOL!
Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on November 4, 2011 at 2:01pm

Sorry for the delay.  The water was just too good to get off of this year.  Here are the blog posts for the completed driftwood dory.  

http://kellyneu.blogspot.com/

Video and time lapse coming soon.  Cheers!

-Kelly

 

Permalink Reply by Troy Nicolls on November 4, 2011 at 4:44pm
Inflatable man! I nearly fell out of my chair laughing! Only my own mother would do sometning so crazy. Nice job on the boat-on-the-cheap...and the entertaining blog!
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on November 4, 2011 at 3:25pm
Ha! I knew you wouldn't burn it!  Awesome!
Permalink Reply by Kelly Neu on November 4, 2011 at 3:48pm
Ah, you got me!  It was the deck that did it.  I could have burned the hull but that deck made it look so dog gone cute. Maybe the next boat will be able to be fully disassembled... too many boats so little time.
Permalink Reply by Brad Dimock on November 4, 2011 at 4:03pm

Kelly,

 

Magnificent realization of a fantastic idea. Really nice work. Just finished a vey weird boat myself--a replica of a Nevills San Juan punt. Odd little thing.

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