Have you ever wanted to build your own tiki boat? Everyone has dreamt at one point of having their own tiki bar to float on.
But what do you need to make your own tiki boat? If you want to know how we’ve come up with a guide to help you through the building process.
In this article, we’ll tell you how to make a plan, what materials you’ll need, and how to build a base for your tiki platform. Creating a flexible tiki hut is pretty simple, and we can also give you a few tips on how to customize your tiki hut to your own desire.
Planning For Your Tiki Boat
When you’re planning your tiki boat, it’s essential that you find out what materials will work for your project. After all, you’re converting your craft into a new project.
So, let’s consider the type of boat you’re building a tiki on. For example, we recommend making your tiki on a pontoon in this article.
However, you’d still need to find the ideal height and weight by checking on the guidelines set by the U.S. Coast Guard. The best way to check this is by examining the manufacturer’s guides about your pontoon’s limitations and weight capacity.
If you don’t know where to check this information, head to your dealer to check what you need to do. Ideally, you don’t want to exceed the limits of your boat, or it will be unstable and unsafe.
You could even get houseboat insurance if you build a tiki on your boat, so continue it.
Designing Your Tiki Boat
Once you’ve got enough information about your tiki boat, we recommend making a design for your tiki boat. There are plenty of designs online to give you some ideas, but to help you plan; we’ll give you a few factors to consider first.
Your tiki boat should have enough space for you and any guests to relax and enjoy your time on the boat.
It should have an arty ambiance or theme. Lastly, you need to consider if you can fit any furniture on the boat, such as lawn chairs, counters, or a bar.
When designing it, don’t be afraid to make your own diagram to see how it would look.
A diagram or a rough sketch can show you what you want to be done and offer a visual representation that makes it easier to build it. Plus, you can adjust the design to fit the actual boat.
What Materials Do You Need?
Once you’ve finished your design and your plan, it’s time to think about your materials. Here are a few items that are generally considered helpful. Of course, not all of these materials are necessary, but they’re good to consider for your tiki boat.
Ideally, you may need the following:
- Acrylic paints to paint your tiki hut
- Bamboo
- Concrete or rubber elements for walls, flooring, or the poles and foundations
- Decorative materials, such as anything you want your boat to include, such as a mini fridge, cooktop, and other essentials
- Glued wood
- Logs or timber for the base
- Marine boards or plywood sheets
- PVC
- Screws or nails
While you may not need all of these materials, you should also consider your own design. If you want anything in particular, you should mention them in your plan, so you remember to purchase them. You may also need cladding or rope railings or even a bar top.
You should also ensure you have the tools you need to make the tiki boat, so remember to bring some measuring tape, a hammer, string, pencils, a power drill, and a cutting saw.
Once you have the materials planned, set up a budget to determine how much it will cost.
Building A Base For Your Tiki Boat
Ideally, you should build a base for your tiki boat first. You’ll want a stable base when you start building, which is why you’ll need some logs or timber. Put these on your deck frames and secure them to your boat to ensure your tiki bar has a platform.
Don’t forget to leave gaps for aeration and expansion, and leave enough space for any tiki hut pole tensioning, frames, walls, swim-boards, and awnings.
Once the boards are set up, you should ensure that your drainage isn’t constrained.
Building Your Tiki Hut
When you’re happy with your base, you should start building your tiki hut. Ensure it has frames, rails, posts, brackets, and bolts that are correctly fastened.
Assemble it how you’ve designed it, and ensure the height is enough for anyone stepping on the boat. Ideally, you don’t want it to be too short, as you don’t want anyone to hit their head on the gutter of the hut.
Then, ensure it’s secured so your tiki hut can withstand pressure from anyone leaning on it.
Customizing Your Tiki Hut
When you’re customizing your tiki hut, you should consider the kind of aesthetic you want. As the rails will be made from PVC pipe, we recommend painting them to make them look more realistic.
The same can be done for any decking, and you can also paint them with leaves to give them a more decorative appearance.
Don’t be afraid to include elements that need to be installed. Consider whether you can include a small fridge, sink, or seats to ensure you have the amenities you need for a good time.
Including a bar with a cooktop will allow you to cook while you’re on the boat and offers a great party experience.
Bottom Line
Making a tiki boat doesn’t have to be too tricky, and you can design it any way you wish. If you’re struggling with your tiki boat, consider asking for advice online or from others who have worked on this DIY project.
Using this introductory guide, you should have no trouble knowing how to build a tiki boat to your taste, so long as you have a design in place.
