I got the plan for the mouseboat from the yahoo group “mouseboats”. Some people have a problem getting the files there though as they come as a zip file and must be opened once downloaded. To make it easier, I converted the best mouse designs, IMO, to JPG files in an album on my facebook page here mouseboat plans if they are not clear enough ask me, I might be able to clarify details for you. There are a few different plans, the best and fastest boat will be the original mouse.
I added the original mouseboat plan to the photo gallery at the top, and another called the fisherman’s mouseboat, as it is wider for more stability. the designer figured it was wide enough to stand an cast from. for those who weigh over 200 lbs, the fishing mouseboat will handle the weight better. It takes two 4×8 sheets of foam instead of one and a half like the original mouseboat.
to build one boat you will need: – three sheets of 2’x8′ 1″ XPS foam, I prefer the Owens Corning pink foam from Home Depot as it is softer and easier to shape. The green foam at Lowe’s is very tough, The blue seems as soft as the pink.
-two cans of Great Stuff (GS) expanding crack sealer, (the basic stuff is fine)
-old bed sheets, the thicker they are, the stronger and more resistant to punctures (the more synthetic in the fabric the harder to get glue to bond to it, and the harder to get paint into the fibers) asking around at hospitals, nursing homes, or hotel laundries may get you some free, torn or stained sheets. thrift stores should have plenty, stretchy fabric will be harder to keep wrinkles out.
-coarse thread drywall screws 2″ long or more (I can’t imagine needing more than 20 of them) some people use bamboo skewers instead
-a gallon jug of titebond II (TBII)
-1 gallon exterior house paint, check the oops paint rack in the paint department every time you visit, they might have the color you want for a much cheaper price.
-two gama seal bucket lids (the paint department of Home depot stocks them in black around here. I found them in white at a lowe’s for a little over $7. in six colors on Amazon
– 2″ or wider. duct tape, masking tape etc.
-a tube or two of PLpremium construction adhesive, (PLp) the 3x is best and cheaper. you can just buy gorilla glue instead
– gorilla glue (GG) get the 8 oz bottle minimum
-1″ strips of 1/4″ plywood, cheap wooden yard sticks, etc. you need a bit over eight feet of them though. (every time you visit the paint department ask for a 5 gallon paint bucket stirring stick or two, in a few visits you will have enough to make these anti-dent rails)
-a few feet of nylon webbing 3/4″ to 1″ wide, for making handles (I use the ends of shortened nylon tie down straps, cut them by melting with a heated knife to stop fraying) nylon straps
-about a foot of PEX plastic plumbing, or PVC tubing, for making the handles much more comfortable
tools:
-gloves! I find disposable vinyl gloves work best for this project as they will not stick your fingers together with titebond II, instead the glue will just peel off unlike latex or nitrile.
-safety glasses
-dust mask
-werner 250 wallpaper perforation tool
-hand drywall saw http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-double-edged-…
-sureform the harbor freight model works best for this, and is easier to hold
-flush cut pliers if you use the bamboo skewers
-screwdriver if you use drywall screws
-paint roller handle, tray and rollers I prefer a three or four inch roller, I buy the full length rollers and cut them to fit the shorter roller handle.
-a small paint brush
-tape measure, yard stick, etc.
-10 foot long 3/4″ pvc pipe
-carpenters pencil, sharpie marker, ink pen
-chalk line for easy straight lines
-mixing board for folding great stuff, this one is the best as you can bend it to remove cured glue
-plastic spreader
-caulking gun for the PLpremium -scissors
-razor knife
-bricks, paint cans, stacks of books etc. something heavy enough to hold the PVC pipe bend in place