Millhouse2020 Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Hi everyone, I am interested in getting plans to build a steel barge. My hunt club would like to build a steel barge for transporting ATV's and gear to our camp. Any information anyone could share would be appreciated, especially if you have experience in doing so yourself. We are hoping this would be possible for a reasonable cost. I have a buddy who operates a steel company so I could arrange to have it made, I just don't have plans on how to do so in order to give him an idea of whats required. Thanks in advance! Cheers, Millhouse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerritt Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 OK .... I will start this.... first thing first..... what body of water are you building this barge for...... a huge difference between one need for G-Bay and one needed in the tri-lakes.... to many questions that need answering first. G. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 G is right, more info is needed. You might do just as well or better with a pontoon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigugli Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 Building a barge requires specifics. Cargo type, load weight,hull draught requirements. There are numerous available plans for military and civilian landing craft and barges. All certified by a marine engineer. A modified pontoon might be the simpler approach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIFTER_016 Posted November 29, 2011 Report Share Posted November 29, 2011 (edited) Lots of guys on the West coast use landing craft for hunting. They use them to transport their quads and gear to their hunting area and back. Most are jet drives for running in skinny water. Depending on size they will even run them in the ocean. See one here and more here. Edited November 29, 2011 by DRIFTER_016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millhouse2020 Posted November 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Thanks for the input guys. The body of water in question is a lake, its not large, maybe 6miles long or so. Its narrow and runs east to west. Strangely enough, it can get VERY rough when the wind runs east west. We plan to transport ATV`s and gear. Typically, we are taking 5-6 ATV`s in to the hunting area. Plus our food and gear for the week for 10-12 hunters. We have been transporting them by boat for some time now but boats are cumbersome and not the safest. Plus it requires multiple trips back and forth. As such, we are looking into other options. We have considered the pontoon boat as well and we are looking at getting one or a pair of pontoons and building one. The barge is simply another option. With my freind in the steel industry, we can get material at cost. However, that being said, between material and labour costs, it may be too expensive an option for our club. We would likely build the unit and leave it at the camp versus truck it in and out, therefore, we don`t want to sink more $`s than necessary into it if we can. That being said, I understand it needs to meet a certain standard of safety and strength to make is useable. Hope this helps. I appreciate the input. I was interested to see if any members had done anything like this and if they had any details to offer. Millhouse2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millhouse2020 Posted November 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Lots of guys on the West coast use landing craft for hunting. They use them to transport their quads and gear to their hunting area and back. Most are jet drives for running in skinny water. Depending on size they will even run them in the ocean. See one here and more here. Very nice machine. If money were no object, we would get something like this. Unfortunately for us, we need to work on a budget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ThisPlaceSucks Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 realistically speaking, i don't see how you'll get something like this on the water legally without getting something engineered, which will be pricey. maybe try these folks to see if they would sell plans? http://www.theironworker.com/Kempboatfeatures.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manitoubass2 Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Is there any hunting/fishing camps/lodges on this lake??? If so, I'd just start making some phone calls and see if you can pay someone to bring them out for you. IMO it would be much cheaper, faster and more convenient. My cousin owns a fishing resort, and when it was originally being built, he scored a barge from a friend for a low cost. Nowadays he uses it quite often for these types of things, as well as transporting cabin materials etc. Just ask around if possible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipper D Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 Too bad your PM is not running ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carll2 Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 we built a barge this year at the outfitter i work for...we bought 2 x25 foot long houseboat floaters(used and payed per pound what the metal is worth) and started from there..we welded a frame to the floaters and the deck is made with 2x6s...in all the platform is 25feet long and 15 feet wide, does us good now in the spring we can transport our 2500liter gas tanks(2) propane,tractor etc and as a motor we use a 25 hp 2 stroke johnson and she does a constant 4mph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mukluk Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 http://jetfloat.com/images/barge.gif Have you considered using "jetfloats". They can be fastened together; are light weight maintenance free cubes. Military use them for floating trucks across water and helicopter pads. Not sure how much per cube; but might be a lot cheaper than buying or building a steel barge. You can even install an outboard motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millhouse2020 Posted November 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 we built a barge this year at the outfitter i work for...we bought 2 x25 foot long houseboat floaters(used and payed per pound what the metal is worth) and started from there..we welded a frame to the floaters and the deck is made with 2x6s...in all the platform is 25feet long and 15 feet wide, does us good now in the spring we can transport our 2500liter gas tanks(2) propane,tractor etc and as a motor we use a 25 hp 2 stroke johnson and she does a constant 4mph Nicely done. This is what we would like to do if I/we can find some pontoons to start with. The other materials would be a piece of cake. As mentioned the barge is simply another option I was looking into but had no plans from which to start. I know plate steel is expensive, probably $0.50/lb for the manufacturers cost at minimum. Then it would need to be cut, bent and welded to specs. Stainless steel or aluminum plate material would be much more cost, don't even know where to start there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 you can get 45 gal drums metal or plastic and make a big floating dock/barge at a pretty cheap price Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smally21 Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 (edited) MH i have been involved in building several barges and houseboats. 'advanced pontoons' is a molded pontoon and rail system that can be made to various sizes and easily assembled. the pontoon are in 6 foot sections with middles and bows for the front and rear. you purchase the pontoons and the length of rail you require, assemble, and then build a ladder frame on top. its quite simple. i can get you some pics of the 38' barges we built. check out the website we can discuss further if you like. the barges and houseboats were checked over by coast guard reps and were given the thumbs up. we beat the tar out of these things...they are indestructible - if you ever manage to trash a section you just unbolt it and replace - a one piece steel pontoon would require dry dock repair... good luck Edited November 30, 2011 by smally21 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carll2 Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 contact your local marina as we had also made a smaller barde with pontoon floaters and the dealer had ordered the floaters for us.. il try and find pics of this barge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carll2 Posted November 30, 2011 Report Share Posted November 30, 2011 hey sorry this add is in french but maybe you can give them a call, they are north of montreal and make floaters http://qc.kijiji.ca/c-autos-et-vehicules-bateaux-vehicules-marins-vedettes-bateaux-a-moteur-PONTON-ALUMINIUM-KIT-W0QQAdIdZ307601405 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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