Embark-A-Lounger

The only bad thing about relaxing in a pool is having to get out for a refill. Enter the Embark-A-Lounger! With a folding lawn chair and a few ice chests, you can float to your heart's content with your favorite ice-cold drinks within reach.

Step 1: Tools and Materials

Tools

• A drill, drill bits, and driver bits
• A saw that can cut pvc (I used a pull saw)

Materials

• 1" PVC Pipe
• Tee and Elbow Fittings
• Heavy Duty Zip Ties
• Screws (1 1/2")
• Folding Lawn Chair
• 8 small Ice Chests. I used the Igloo Ice Cube 14 Cooler

PVC Pipe Cut List

• 4X 28" (first segment of each side rail)
• 4X 16" (second segment of each side rail)
• 2X 21" (back pieces- the width of my lawn chair)
• 6X 4" (vertical parts of both side rails)
• 4X 2" ("nipples" to connect the back pieces)

PVC Fitting List

• 8X Elbows
• 8X Tees

Step 2: Assemble the Side Rails

Assemble side rail one and side rail two as shown in the diagram. You can put the parts together by forcing them together without tools, or use a rubber mallet if you want them really snug.

Step 3: Screw Rails to Ice Chests

Lay out 4 coolers in a row with the lids facing towards you. Then lay the side rail against the lined up coolers as shown. This will give you a guide to drill your pilot holes.

Next, drill your pilot holes where you want to place the screws.

I attached the rails to the coolers with one screw at the top and two at the bottom of each cooler, since the buoyancy of the cooler is going to put the most pressure on the bottom rail when you put your body weight in the chair.

When the pilot holes are drilled, screw the rails into the coolers so that they are nicely aligned and consistent. It's also a good idea to add screws through the tee connections at the bottom middle of the rails- a little insurance against the pipes pulling out under the weight.

Step 4: Extra Support

To make sure the screws through the coolers didn't just pull out under the weight, I added doubled-up heavy duty zip ties around the bottom of each cooler.

Step 5: Zip Tie, Zip Tie, Zip Tie...

Now it's time to put everything together. Connect the two side rails using the two back pieces (the 21" segments with 2X elbows and 2X 2" nipples).

Once your "U" is together, place the lawn chair in the middle of the "U" shape. Then use the rest of your heavy duty zip ties and attach the metal piping of the chair to the side rails in lots and lots of places. The more you use, the more stable it is, so be generous! Be sure to add zip ties between the chair legs and the bottom of the side rails.

Step 6: Cast Off

I weigh about 185 LB, and this contraption carried me all afternoon with no problem. Fill each cooler with ice and drinks, and instantly be the most popular person in the pool.