Wooden Ship Wheel

is it possible to make a seaworthy ship using a double decker bus and a wooden hull?

romove the wheels and axels and fit the bus (up to just above the lower deck windows) into the hull with beams to hold it in place...and how much would a hull of sufficient size cost in building materials?

Public Comments

1. As long as you don't forget duct tape, yes.
2. When you go to build a ship of the size you are suggesting, it takes more than just nailing some boards together. You need to plan for weight distribution, both empty and loaded with living supplies, so the boat won't roll over from too much weight on one side or end. In fact, you would need special fasteners instead of nails to keep them from rusting away within a year or two. You would be much better off finding an old barge with a motor and mounting the bus on it. Barges come in all sizes and shapes, and when companies no longer need them, they sell them for a few thousand. (Comparable cost to what it takes to engineer and build a wood hull) Lots of people along major rivers use them to build floating houses on lakes and rivers. Go to the site below to see what can be done on an old barge. http://www.oregon-floating-homes.com/
3. It would be nigh on impossible for less than £800,000. You would be recommended to use an aluminium hull, as wood would degrade within 5 years. Aluminium is stronger than steel for most purposes, although steel and fibreglass are preferable to wood, unless cost is a huge concern. However, my advice would be to avoid using buses altogether. Most parts of buses are glued together, and unless the whole interior is replaced with watertight material, severe structural damage could occur. Also, you would have to insulate the bus, as they are extremely poor at retaining heat. A coach would be a better idea, as they are insulated - but ultimately it would be 10x cheaper to buy professionally made.