Gather at least six long logs that are 1 foot in diameter. Logs from dead trees are the best wood to gather because trees are lighter once they are dried out. Use your saw, machete or axe to cut the wood to about 10 or 12 feet in length.
Gather two additional logs that are half as thick as your other logs and cut them to about 6 or 7 feet.
Gather thick, dry seaweed, bark, tall grass or other natural material if you are in a situation where you are stuck without rope or twine. Braid your material until it is thick enough to stay firm and not break when you pull on it from both ends. If you cannot braid, twist the material tightly and tie the ends with multiple knots.
Roll your six large logs until they are in a position that allows each of them to lay flat against neighboring logs.
Cut notches that are 2 to 3 inches deep about 3 to 5 inches from both ends of your six logs. Make sure that the tops of the 12 notches are narrower than the inner part. In other words, when you look at the notches from the side, they should be slightly trapezoid-shaped. The tops of the notches should be slightly narrower than the two small logs.
Slide the first small log through the six notches on one end of the raft. Repeat the process for the second small log. If you have no object to cut the wood with, you will need to place two to three pole-sized logs at each end of your raft. Then place one or two logs of the same size going diagonally in one direction across the raft.
Use as much rope, twine or raw materials as you can to tightly hold the six big logs together. This can be done by starting at one end of the large logs and wrapping the material in a weaving pattern across the logs and back.
Use most of your binding material to give more security to both of your small support logs. This can be done by wrapping an "x" pattern around the support beams at each main log or by weaving one "x" across and back one side.
Secure your diagonal poles if you have them. If not, be sure to run rope diagonally across your raft and secure it from as many angles as you can until you are comfortable with the stability of your project.
Flip the raft over and test it.
