HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Boat Build Part 1 

I did buy the proper tips and a much cheaper heat gun that is of appropriate wattage and has temperature control. Watch the part 2 for more info

​@WoodLander- just watched your second video. My guess is that your standard hot air gun doesn't push out anywhere near as much air as even a buget hot air welder does - your "inches per minute" was way down on what I was getting, which will also be why you're getting so much distortion. The other thing is to buy the filler rod by the roll if you can, probably 100' in your part the world, instead of those chopped up lengths. I got mine from the local fishing boat supply outfit, as they're always repairing floats and fish bins etc. It’s far cheaper that way AND it means you can use the speed nozzles included in the set you bought. Those work really well, far faster and tidier. The only places the heat goes is into the vee of the weld and preheating the filler, they move almost as fast as you can push the rod in, and the weld gets mashed down nice and flat by the heel of the nozzle - provided the hot air source is up for it. What you're doing is obviously working and will be plenty strong, but like any tools, you get what you pay for. The less money I spend, the more time on the job I spend wishing I'd spent more money, is how that's usually works out for me 😂. Anyway, it's a cool project, and I'm surprised more people don't do something similar - the boat will be bombproof when it's done.

@@petercroft9895thanks for the info. I do plan to buy a proper extrusion welder after this. I think I will start making all kinds of things out of HDPE. I guess I just wanted to see if I could do this as cheap as possible. I hate watching DIY videos where the person completes a build with tools and materials that most people don’t have and can’t afford. This is definitely an experiment to see what is possible.

I believe they can be made from junk plastic but it would be a tremendous amount of work

Just posted a photo

You bet. I will document the whole thing. Should have a new video out soon.

Expanding foam absorbs water and becomes too heavy to drag out of the drink. Putting waterproof plugs into the topside so it can be turned over without the plug in, thus drained. Speaking from experience.

@@jackrichards1863 Thanks Jack.

@@DavidM2002 reasonably gracious of yuh! There are little rotation molded boats we have one, those were done with foam filler. Outer is HDPE .

@@jackrichards1863 I agree. I’ve worked in the marine industry for some time now. And foam does soak up the water and become very heavy. I will be putting plugs in the pontoons as well as the transom.

Check out part 2

@@WoodLander- oh hell yeah!

Trust me when I say I am learn throughout the process

I have thought about this for some time. I always wanted to use HDPE because it is so versatile. But I also considered aluminum. I even saw a video of a guy who did this with aluminum

Check out part 2

Check out part 2

Check out part 2

Check out part 2

You bet. I will do a live example of the butt fusion for the pipes. But for now check out part 2

0:16 Adding the v bottom To the two toons greatly increases your bottom clearance.. by 400%?? From 8 inch to 2 inch. Of course guessing. For my 40 ft toon ,So let say I use 6 ( 12ft ttl) two ft diameter pipe to Cover it with 14ft deck leaving 2 ft channel in middle 2×2×0.782×6×60×40 45,043.2 gross displacement 7507 each pipe 30,029 gross 4 piper 15,014 2 piper But I want the draft I maybe return

One lb sq ft aluminum deck frame

187 lb displacement Per ft long of pipe 2x2x.782 = 3.12 x 60 lb

18 lb per ft long pipe 1.5 in thick x 40 ft 753 lb

10 % draft per pipe 2.4 inch

I’m open. What have you got?

Check out part 2

Check out part 2

I salvaged the pipe for free. I have put about $500 in material so far. I estimate around $1600 USD for the material to build a 16ft boat.

So far I am in for $500USD. But I got the pipe for free. A 50ft length of DR 36 HDPE pipe is about $1000 USD. So total material brand new would be around $1500 USD.

This thin wall pipe used to be used for irrigation for years. Most HDPE pipe used now a days is much thicker wall. You can try farmers and see if they have some old stock.

I think it's petter for several reasons More flexible without cracking It's easier to fix Recyclable material And the best ever as i read it's antifouling material so no need for bottom paint or cleaning Also i believe it's less expensive than fiberglass Also working with fiberglass is dirty and hard

I have not worked with fibre glass. But from what I know about it can be a pain. HDPE has been relatively easy to work with. It takes some practice but it is not hard to learn.

wont kill the earth do you know there's been 2000 + nukes exploded on, in, around earth

A single 4x8 sheet of 1/4” HDPE cost me $75 USD. A 50ft length of 1/2” wall pipe cost $1000 USD. So for around $1600 or so you could build a. 16ft boat.

​@@WoodLander-if you forget about the time it takes thats not a bad deal at all

Obviously UHDPE Ultra High Density Polyethylene is stronger but it is much heavier. And my design has pontoons so even if the hull gets a leak it won’t sink.

I have been fusing everything by hand with a heat gun and special tips and HDPE rods. It’s like tig welding but with plastic

Check out part 2

It is not done yet. And I will post the other videos as I continue. I estimate the total weight of the bare hull will be 300 lbs.

Nope. Part 2 just released. I got the pipe for free because is was set to be sent to the trash. I bought the sheet material. And so far I am still welding lot to do yet.