The Float Frame

Phase one - the Float Frame

I did a ton of research from my book on how to build a houseboat about the layout of the float frame. I realized at some point during my intense inspection of the details that the frame needed to be it's own module (in computer science terms) that would be separate from the deck/sub-floor. Plus, I was able to talk to the guys at the marina and learn from their issues with Erin's floating home and design the frame around the trailer that would transport it.

So, with K.I.S.S as my model (Keep It Simple Stupid) I knew I could focus on just building the frame first.

I had to start somewhere, so with this plan in mind...I spent last week ordering the lumber for the float frame. Not having much knowledge or experience in any of this,

I decided to make the houseboat book my definitive source and be ON FIRE doing instead of simply BLOOMing with research.

It took a few days of playing around with OnShape (a free online CAD modeler) to get familiar enough with it to be semi-productive. After that I could redo plans without wincing.
This was my last design before the build...

Isometric perspective of the layout with barrels.

front view perspective of the three pieces that would make up the float frame, basically building my own pontoons.

The model included the four pads from the boat trailer at the marina and some timbers that would support them (as well as the whole frame)

However, after I ordered the lumber and laid it out, I got some advice from the mechanic/carpenter at the marina..."it will be stronger if you lay it out the other way".

So, on the fly, I laid it out to better visualize what he was talking about and .....yup....it did seems like it would be a more sturdy option. I was under the impression from the book that having the bearers run the length of the float frame along the edges of the barrels would be best....cost way more too to special order the salt-water pressure treated 24 foot 2x6's! I ended up cutting them all up to make smaller pockets for the barrels.

In hindsight, I would have used the long special order boards for the cross pieces that run across the frame at the height of each barrel

I hope today you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning. living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world.

You are doing things you've never done before, and more importantly, you're Doing Something.

Don't freeze, don't stop, don't worry that it isn't good enough, or isn't perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life. Whatever it is you're scared of doing, DO IT!

Make your mistakes, today, tomorrow, and forever!!!!
-Neil Gaiman