Duct Tape and PVC Kayak

This light-weight and easy to make kayak can be built in a few hours, weighs less than 20 pounds, and best of all, costs under $50.  While I wouldn't recommend taking it out in any rapids, it works great for calm water, so get out there and explore!

Materials:

• Five 10' long, 3/4" Outer Diameter PVC pipes
• Hacksaw
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Two or three large trash bags
• 2x4 wood plank between 3' and 4' in length (or similar) for the seat
• 3 rolls of Scotch Brand Tough Duct Tape (make sure it says waterproof on the label!)
• Lighter (optional: used for easier PVC bending)
• 3 square feet cardboard (optional : used to make paddle)

Step 1: The First Cut

Cut two of the PVC pipes down to 8' with the hack saw, making sure to save the 2' lengths.

Cut two 4" lengths of PVC from the same 2' pipe. Make a cut 2" deep into each of these pipes lengthwise, and bend the wings back until they create an angle approximately 60º with each other. These braces are essential to give the kayak its tapered shape. Note : hold lighter under the area of the pipe you wish to bend in order to soften the PVC first.

Comments

[shaneoh3]

I also made one with a friend, except I used tarp instead of trash bags, and added outriggers.

[lukish]

This is pretty cool. I made a slightly modified version but it was way too unstable to use without capsizing until we added a tail thing. Is it just me or did anyone else encounter this problem? After we added the tail it is so fast and stable (for smallish people). Thanks for posting this!

[SgtJellyfish]

this is cool! it looks the the mythbusters one as well

[romulopericles]

Nice redneck soluction

[lukev2]

i think i will use bamboo......

[Annunakiman]

this is awesome!

[dharris12]

this.takes.more.than.3 rolls.

[danialmcghie]

hey for all that want to add steel or wood dont. wy not instead just coat the thing with high grade nylon or polyester its about 3.00 for a fat roll. stitch the edges with a very strong synthetic twine heat seal the sown edges and paint on water sealant that hardens and for the seat just attach a small slat of marine grade plywood to both top and bottom structures. it will look amazing as well

[radamchick]

cool did it leak and was it stable

[cattlelowing]

Locate the scrap yard in your town. EMT is 30 cents a pound.

[SpaceRat]

You've given me a great idea. A frame made from lightweight electrical conduit welded together (be sure to use a breathing mask, as electrical conduit gives off noxious gases when welded) would make a strong , lightweight kayak frame. Then cover it with heat-shrinkable aircraft fabric and paint it with a waterproof epoxy paint, and you have a really tough, ultra-light kayak (or you could build a canoe or pirogue).

[love4pds]

How about Aluminum? A lot lighter and use thin hollow tubes that are strong. You can bolt it together, cuts easily even with just a hacksaw; it is very easy to work with. I made a cage for my rescue animals with it and turned out nice because it was light and mobile. Just used nuts and bolts to connect everything, no welding needed and no rust. Lasted 10 years till husband ruined the Plexiglas! Aluminum sheeting would work for the skin too wouldn't it? Maybe seal the seams with a good glue, epoxy or tar on the inside?
This is very cool though and I wish everyone lots of luck on your projects. =^-^=

[SpaceRat]

Aluminum is a great idea! Being the tightwad I am , however, I like the cheapness of the electrical conduit (about 1/5 the cost of aluminum). And , I bet you could bolt together the conduit, too!

I should change my nick to "CheapRat" hehe

[love4pds]

LOL, it was kind of high but it could be such a difference in the weight though it may be worth it. :)
Good Luck on you project , can't wait to see it published in the featured section!!!

[leifforrest]

Check this guy out. He's a former aerospace engineer (was, he passed on). But he adapted a lot of aviation tech to canoes and kayaks.
http://gaboats.com/construction/

[-chase-]

Nice job!

I've seen canoes and small water craft made from just about anything that you can make a water tite seal out off. Including duct tape before.

It's not a new idea but that doesn't a take away from the fact you tried it and were successfull at building a small water craft for a low cost.

Next - just as a suggestion you might want to move up to a folding plywood dingy type craft - they too can be built very cheaply - you sew them together, seal the edges and use a water proof cloth for the ends. You fold it up when not in use.

A single sheet of 1/4 inch ply will do. I have the plans for one if you care to try it. you're welcome to them or i'm sure you can find a instructable or the plans and make an instrucable for the build yourself.

again nice job on this one. looks to be a simple repair if you spring a leak!
Look forward to seeing future builds and what you come up with...

chase

[Graeme58]

What was the cost of this project? I can see that subbing in wood for PVC would work, In an emergency, but change the weight characteristics. Also, I was wondering, just how long this project took from start to finish? (The first time).

For those who want to use this as a quick and dirty form for a fiberglass version, Fiberglass, tends not to be as flexible as Carbon Fiber, and the Polyethylene resin usually used for fiberglass, breaks down in sunlight so you might want to put a Gel Coat over it to protect it. FiberJute, is more ecofreindly, although the resin is still probably toxic. Essentially to use fiberjute, you use a jute mat instead of glass or carbon fiber mat. My father tried to make Burlap walls, and as far as I know the Burlap he used, was a form of cloth made from Jute, so if you can find Jute fiber burlap, it might make a good matting. (There is a car being built from it here in Canada).

Don't forget that you can create a more lively kayak if you make it a bit bigger and build in some ballast along the bottom. I once reballasted my fathers canoe, (and rebuilt the floatation cells) and turned it into a much safer vehicle, my father had found it "Tippy" when he tried to sit up with his trick leg forward.

[hyroc346]

The total cost of the materials was approx $35. The PVC pipes cost $2.50 each, and each roll of duct tape was about $8. I found a 2x4 in a scrap wood pile at the hardware store for free, and already owned the tools (and trash bags). From start to finish, I probably spent 8 to 10 hours building it the first time.

Great advice on the fiberglass, thanks!

[thomspengler]

We need a picture of you actually paddling this bad boy; the last photo looks like you're in 8" of water, with both feet on the bottom...

[cdooley]

ok i have a question, i have a river on my property but it has several trees hidden underwater, and it can go up to 5 miles per hour. So if i hit a log at this speed would this kayak become destroyed??? Thankyou

[alanator]

I can't imagine this boat holding up very well, especially if you hit an obstruction in the water. Most likely, it would puncture the boat and you'd take on water. This is a good idea though for a survival situation if you had plenty of duct tape and possibly some flexible branches.

[azerger1]

Okay. most costs in most situations.. trees in river + paddling/swimming = bad .. that is definitely true.

[azerger1]

Fallen trees in moving water are very hazardous, avoid them at all costs in all situations. Odds are your kayak would become "broached," on the logs and have the upstream pressure of the river tear it to shreds. Hopefully a paddler in that situation got clear of entanglement.

[spartancaver]

I swear and warrant that this is true. I used duc tape to reverse a growing wart on my arm. google it . I applied a small patch for 7 days to the growing wart only to see it reduce and go completely away.

[love4pds]

I have heard of that also, but that it took a lot longer.

[alanator]

If you could build a cockpit rim out of a little pvc you could fit a sprayskirt on it, and then you could possibly even roll in that boat.

[tinker234]

hey for rapids could i add s layer of steel

[shortw]

Plywood would be better, it is lighter and strong.

[tinker234]

well i think steel would be the best joice thanks

[spartancaver]

marine grade plywood I assume?

[RPeabody]

Nice project. Consider the effect on the environment before coating the kayak with any chemicals.

[tn.]

pls bear with me - i got home from work, sat down, deleted crap, and opened up my instructable email (as i usually do, it being the most interesting thing in my inbox).

just a question re waterproofing (having first-hand experience how not-so-much duct tape), but would it work to smear fibreglass over the outside? you can buy it at the hardware store.

the only thing i'm thinking is that fibreglass works wierd with other substances so i dunno if it would reinforce/seal the duct tape or eat it for lunch.

[spartancaver]

weight on is weight in the water. consider how much more weight fiberglass would add. if you are not semi skilled in using fiberglass you could wind up with a total mess. and you cost just went up too.

[tn.]

yeah, the cost is a factor - the weight thing, well... i already have to modify the canoe anyway ;)

[rf]

Fiberglass is not actually something you 'smear' on. It's a layering process, where you 'smear' on resin, add fiberglass, and smear on more resin.

Involved, messy and not applicable to just any surface.

[tn.]

i was just thinking about my ex repairing a good-sized hole in his canoe - didn't seem all that complicated, really.

[LobosSolos]

My one bit of advice would be to do like the Mythbusters did in their Duct Tape Episode and use two layers of Duct Tape "Sticky Side" to "Sticky Side to make the outer skin of your boat, this would eliminate the need for the trash bags except potentially as an additional barrier. You could put the trash bags in between the layers or possibly do two sets of layers with the trash bags in between to add redundancy to your design.

[leifforrest]

I wouldn't say duct tape is for dry environments only. My understanding is that Duct Tape was originally called Duck Tape. It was developed by the military so they could repair an amphibious vehicle they developed called the Duck.  http://www.duckbrand.com/Duck%20Tape%20Club/history-of-duck-tape.aspx ( Google tells me it was to waterproof ammunition boxes). After that the product was adopted by heating and air guys, manufactured in silver to match the sheet metal and called Duct tape.[ http://www.dukw.com/]

Anyway, check out skinning your frame with Dacron.Glue it on then heat shrink it for a tight fit. Still not puncture resistant, but no seams to leak.
Great idea BTW. Good job!

[beauelk]

how much weight will it hold 150 180 200 ?????

[hyroc346]

I weigh 170 lbs and it held me just fine, although it was starting to ride low in the water so I wouldn't try putting too much more in it. If you need it to hold more weight, make it longer and wider!

[iscarrow]

rather than make it wider and longer. make it a bit longer, and stick a bit of polystyrene into the ends, and (if u put a seat into it) put some under the seat too. im about 80% sure this is how they make standard Kayaks float.

[shortw]

If you put polystyrene into it it will not make it float better in this case, but it could add to make it more stable and less flexible, also spray foam insulation would make it more stable and less flexible and it would be very light.

[rbeck1]

The Polystyrene/Styrofoam, will not actually help. If you weigh more, you need a longer and or wider hull. Either will work, adding some width would be good for heavier and likely taller paddlers for stability. Styrofoam inside the hull does not make kayaks or canoes float, it keeps them from sinking if they get filled with water. The way any boat floats if its weight plus the weight of its cargo is less than the weight of the water it displaces.

That's why as you put in a heavier person, it rides lower. The Styrofoam, while light actually adds a little weight. However, its a good idea in case you Kayak fills with water it won't sink to the bottom.

[iscarrow]

i did kinda think about the comment while having breakfast, and remember that boats float because of water displacement, im not one for making boats im just one for using them

[jthroop]

That does not make them float any better, it just keeps them afloat when they tip over.

[beauelk]

thanks

[ironsidesnh]

Cool idea ...

I like it alot....

Next time they start reusing Alcatraz Island Prison or in the Movie "Escape from New York/LA" using Manhattan Island or after the great earthquake that seporates Lower Califoria from the rest of the USA as a future prison locations.

I know what I'm using as a great escape device.

No metal parts and floats nicely.

I think I'll even modify it maker it bigger with twin side pontoons for better stablity in rougher ocean waters.

I might even put up a PVC Mast for attaching a sail cloth for working smarter not harder to let the wind work for me.

But I need to study the best profile and matterial for making a stealth sail for sailling undetected still.

[oscarmissy]

Good work. Simple and effective.

[Mig Welder]

Good 'ible! Well written, cool project, looks relatively easy to make! I might actually make it!! One thing that caught my attention though... Any particular reason why you specified Scotch brand several times?

[rf]

Looks like it might leave you swimming after a while. Duct tape is meant for dry environments.

[the judge]

isn't mythbusters awesome?

[bulwynkl]

you can use a heat gun to soften the PVC to make it easy to bend and cut...

[snoopindaweb]

Kinda' reminds Me of the "Canvas Kayak" in Popular Mechanics back in the 60's.

[snoopindaweb]

That's Early 60's - BDT & PVC, etc

[caribooharry]

Please state the correct size of the pipe, it obviously isn't 1/4 inch diameter; when compared to the lighter in your picture it appears to be 1 inch pipe.

[hyroc346]

The correct pipe size is 3/4" OD. I fixed the typo in the instructions. Sorry, caribooharry!

[caribooharry]

Thanks, great instructable, just didn't want anyone to be disappointed if they use the wrong pipe.

[motleyjust]

The major problem I see with these instructions is 1/4" pipe diameter is WRONG. At least a couple of people have commented on it and asked what the correct size is, but the author has made no response as to what size he used.

[rbbiggs]

You can tell the pvc is bigger then 1/4 just by looking at the picts. Common sense says 1/4 wouldn't work anyway.

[hyroc346]

As I mentioned below, its supposed to be 3/4" OD pipe. I fixed the typo in the instructions, and thank you for catching it!

[rbbiggs]

Duct tape is certainly some amazing stuff. It will not stick to a wet object, but sticks like glue to a dry object which can then get wet.

[susanrm]

Very cool. How long have you tested it on the water? I'm tempted to make one for around our lake here.

[hyroc346]

Its been out on the lake a couple of times, but its a pretty small lake so I wasn't out there for too long. I have heard that leaving duct tape in water for extended periods of time can cause it to peel away, so I was thinking about spraying the overlapping areas with some silicon sealant. Will report back if/when I manage it!

[nealbirch]

if you use 2 boards with a gap between of about an inch or so instead of the one board it should be gentler on your tail bone.

[susanrm]

I thought of sealant too. Great project. I hope yours gets first & I get one of the second prizes! :-)

[sgoldfish]

You are a genius! O.o

[beshur]

how far away could you float on a kind of this kayak?

There's no room for baggage, right?

[hyroc346]

No room for much else besides a person, but if you made it longer you could add some luggage space! And I have tested it on a small, calm lake a few times and it worked fine, but I would be weary about taking it on any journeys or in rough water

[l8nite]

great looking little boat, how does it handle ?

[hyroc346]

Handles pretty well for a homemade boat. The paddle I made was a bit flimsy though, which made paddling and handling more difficult. Next time I would make the shaft out of something stiffer

[balbers]

I got 1/4" pvc just like you said, but it's way smaller and bends a lot easier. My kayak has turned out super flimsy. I think you may have made a mistake in the measurement of the pvc. Please change this to prevent others from also buying the wrong kind.

[hyroc346]

Thanks for the catch! its actually supposed to be 3/4" OD, which I have updated in the instructions.

[jcouturier]

what's are 2'' or 8''??? 2''= 2 inch? need to know if I want to make one too and what diameter for the pvc ?

[BrianHuntley]

Yes, the double quote (")means inches, and a single quote (') means feet. Very important not to get these reversed - Spinal Tap did.

Oh, and 2" is about 50mm, J.

[jcouturier]

thanks!!

[gormly]

I love this instrucatble! Makes me want to go out on the water!
I wonder if I could make a real boat this way... :)

Thanks!

[Exocetid]

Very, very ingenious. This easily opens up the possibility for others (or you!) to come up with alternative designs like skiffs, canoes, sculls, etc.

[Silvester10528]

Well done!!!
That's pretty spiffy!!

I'm not into kayaking, but your directions read clear and the pictures are clear and accent the instructions perfectly.

I could easily modify this to make a small boat for the local lake.

[rikkiesix]

Duuuuuude
That is super cool DIY stuff
Thx for posting this
Greetings from Belgium
Erik

[cblair1]

What a great DIY project!!!!

[angelabchua]

that is seriously impressive!

[karossii]

Great 'ible, but why exactly are you specific as to using 'Scotch Brand Duct Tape' as opposed to any other brand . . . ? While we each may have our brand preferences, and while there are some quality differences in various brands, in the grand scheme of things no brand is significantly better or worse than any other brand of duct tape...

[hyroc346]

The Scotch-sponsored Great Outdoors Duct Tape Contest inspired me to post this instructable, so I used their brand of tape. I also experimented with some duct tape I bought at the dollar store, but it wasn't nearly as secure or waterproof as the Scotch tape that I used. If you have a preference for another brand feel free to use it, but just make sure it is strong and waterproof!

[Blaaken]

Gorilla Tape. O.O

[karossii]

Okay, it makes sense to promote it for the contest, lol... and while dollar store tape usually is inferior, any name brand seems to work equally well in my experience.

[gormly]

Yes, I am sure you have extensive experience in making Kayaks out of duct tape.

If you spent a little more time on enjoying the instructables instead of finding ways to correct people in almost every single post you make you'd have realized what it was for.

And as far as your comment about no difference in different brands, you have no idea what you are talking about. Please do some research on the different brands of duct tape and how they are made. There are higher quality tapes, stitching, reinforcing and adhesives are all different. If you can't swim, the difference in tape used could mean your life. So in the "grand scheme of things" there are some that make a significant difference.

[karossii]

I never said they wee identical; I said none is significantly better or worse than another. The dollar store brands being inferior was pointed out, and I admitted that was true. I then reasserted that any name brand works equally well in my experience. Which many others out there will agree with.

You state I try to find ways to correct people in almost every single post I make, and you have followed several of my posts to make disparaging comments. That is an inaccurate statement (I have periodically reviewed my comments, and the majority are supportive and congratulatory); but I assume I have corrected some statement of yours in the past and so you have a personal vendetta. Cest la vie - it simply provides me a bit of amusement! Please carry on! ;)

[KD5NRH]

If you can't swim, and take a homemade plastic boat out in water deeper than your waist, I can't really bring myself to have any sympathy for you.

[bryan3141]

If you take ANY small craft out on the water without a PFD (life vest) and die, I view it as the operation of Darwinian evolution.

[gormly]

Me either... but I can swim thankfully.

[Kaptain Kool]

This is soooooooooo cool!

[justjimAZ]

Very clever and well done! If only i could figure out how to vote for it in the contest...

[scoochmaroo]

Wow

[theburn7]

Good and simple.

[kazmataz]

Ahoy matey - Great duct-tape Instructable!