A raft, in this context, refers to a flat, buoyant structure specifically designed for support or transport over bodies of water. This structure, typically composed of buoyant material such as wood, barrels, or inflated tubes, is securely fastened together to form the fundamental base that is able to maintain stability on the surface of the water. These rafts are often used for leisure activities like river rafting but are also utilized as emergency transportation devices during marine mishaps. The size, construction, and design of a raft can vary significantly depending on its intended use. Although user-powered with paddles or sails in traditional settings, modern adaptations may also be motor-driven.
Example
1. A wooden raft was constructed by a group of friends to float down the summer river.
2. The survivors on the deserted island built a makeshift raft out of bamboo and vines in hopes of being spotted by a passing ship.
3. In the movie, the main character fashioned a raft out of airplane parts to escape the alien planet's ocean.
4. Scouts learn to construct a basic raft using logs and ropes in their wilderness survival training.
5. The river guide inflated a large, durable raft to take a group of tourists white-water rafting.
Interesting fact
The world’s largest handmade raft was built by a team of 12 men from Norway who attempted to cross the Atlantic. The raft named "Kon-Tiki" measured approximately 30 feet long and 15 feet wide. It was constructed in 1947 completely from balsa wood and other natural materials, using an age-old design from South American indigenous people. After a 101-day, 4,300-mile journey, the Kon-Tiki successfully completed its voyage from Peru to French Polynesia, shedding light on the navigational and seafaring abilities of ancient civilizations and proving that it was possible for people in pre-Columbian South America to reach the Pacific Islands with their level of technology. The expedition was led by Thor Heyerdahl, who later detailed his experiences in the bestselling book "The Kon-Tiki Expedition: By Raft Across the South Seas."
