I am looking for plans to construct a 40' by 40' floating platform with 80 55gal plastic barrels for houseboat

Question

I am looking for plans to construct a 40' by 40' floating platform with 80 55gal plastic barrels for houseboat

Answer 1

Definitely sounds like a large undertaking, but I'm certain that someone has done something similar to this before.  I think the main thing would be to make sure to make a good, solid base out of the barrels, such as, welding a piece of rectangular 1'X2"  tubing to either side of the barrels, while laying flat, then get some banding material to band them together. The 1"X2" rigid frame would keep the barrels from trying to "pop out" when you banded them together. I would also band about every other row together lengthwise, then run  1"X2" tubing around the whole thing. Then add round stock or rebar, (vertically, going down) at about the middle of every barrell to help hold them in. If you start with the metal framework, that would give a solid base to  to attach your top platform to.

Answer 2

After reading the other posters i would have to agree with the last guy, you are not going to be able to steer this well, if you make a perfect square, unless you plan on leaving it in the same spot, 40 ft is too wide to navigate most places, I would make it more of a rectangular shape maybe 20 to 25, and even up to 50 or 60 ft.  where are you planning on using this, fresh or salt water?  On a river bank, in  a lake or ocean, with a lot of waves, current?  This sounds fun, i could figure out a way to make it work, just need to know a few things.

Answer 3

Fascinating project, thinking you may have to come up with your own blueprint on this one.

I will be watching the answers closely. What fun it would be to participate in your project.

Best of luck.

Answer 4

Do you plan to navigate this vessel? It seems rather square and would have limited directional stability. Maybe you meant house barge instead of "houseboat."

Answer 5

some states no longer allow you to use 55 gal. barrels to hold anything.  In many states you'll notice the plastic floats they now use. So be sure the barrels are allowed before you start.

   You'll need a way to replace barrels that go bad. Did you think that out?

   Our yacht club replaces barrels every 3 to 4 years.

If your building a floating home how about the 250 gal home oil tanks.

Answer 6

depending on the water quality, in a few years the bottom may be so heavy with slime and crud it wont move. what then?