Float Cabin Living: How was your cabin built? Cabin Raising

Cabin Raising

Our float cabin home gets walls.

Wayne and I both grew up in the city. Our lives were focused on becoming specialists, a teacher for me and aviation for Wayne. Schools didn't emphasize trade classes, especially for the college bound. In fact, they were starting to phase them out completely. There just weren't many opportunities for us to learn the skills of self-reliance in a generalist sort of way.

Next came the roof joists.

One of the things we loved immediately about Powell River was its different sense of purpose and people's self-reliance, people like John. He took all the trades programs the local high school had to offer. He learned construction and mechanical skills working with his father and brothers.

There isn't anything John can't do, or won't try. His education and life led him to be a generalist extraordinaire and accomplished entrepreneur.

Our cabin during construction next to John's #1

After John completed the cedar log float (see Float Construction), he started building the cabin on top of the deck. He designed it and completed construction mostly on his own.

For heavy or difficult tasks, his brothers and father provided assistance.

Looking through the opening for the front door

On one of our rafters you can see size specifications written in permanent marker. That led us to ask about blueprints. His answer was simple, there weren't any.

John designed our cabin in his head and built it as he went. That's talent! And his attention to detail is amazing. We couldn't have asked for a better cabin to call home.

When we purchased our cabin in 2001 it took several days to complete the paperwork. We didn't feel comfortable sleeping indoors until everything was final so put our tent up on the deck.

Camping on the deck until torrential rain drove us indoors.

Over the years we've made a few changes: solar and wind power, a bathroom and porch addition, a new paint scheme, extra docks front and back, a floating woodshed, and of course, my floating garden.  Now we love our float cabin home even more.

Our float cabin home at Hole in the Wall, Powell Lake BC.

Want to read more about float cabin construction? Here are a few posts and a video.

Jack-of-All-Trades
Ceiling Insulation
Pine Paneling
Let There Be Light
Under Construction
Bathroom and Porch Addition Nears Completion
A New Coat
Finishing the New Front Deck
Float Cabin Raising Video

Let me know if you have any questions. -- Margy