How to Make a Rowboat Sandbox
![Child in Brown and White Sandbox Sailboat Brown and White Sandbox Sailboat](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/0/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_beauty-a_3x4.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.822.85.suffix/1400953653186.jpeg)
Materials Needed:
- rowboat
- two pressure-treated 2x4 boards
- 2 1/2" exterior-coated wood screws
- pencil
- saw
- speed square
- 1/8" drill bit
- 1/2" drill bit
- drill
- hammer
- Plasti Dip waterproof sealant
- burlap fabric
- sand
- measuring tape
- chop saw
Measure Boat for Framing
Turn rowboat upside down, and use measuring tape to determine measurements of the bottom of the boat. A frame will be placed here to secure the boat in place, keeping it from tipping over while in use.
![Measuring Shaped Piece of Wood With Tape Measure Measuring Shaped Piece of Wood](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/1/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-1_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400954919005.jpeg)
Mark and Cut Frame
Measure and cut pressure-treated 2x4s to create a simple box frame that measures approximately 1-2 inches smaller than the bottom of the boat. First use measuring tape and a pencil to mark to proper dimensions, then cut to size with a chop saw.
![Measuring and Marking Piece of Wood Measuring and Marking Piece of Wood](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/0/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-2_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400953735062.jpeg)
Assemble Frame
Screw all four corners of the box together using a drill and 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws.
![Rowboat Sandbox Step 3 Unique Sandbox](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/5/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-3_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400981866907.jpeg)
Trace Box to Bottom of Boat
With the boat facing bottom-side-up, lay the box frame on the center top of the boat, tracing the outside and inside of the box directly onto the boat exterior.
![Trace Box to Bottom of Boat With the boat facing bottom-side-up, lay the box frame on the center top of the boat, tracing the outside and inside of the box directly onto the boat exterior.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/6/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-4_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400982747360.jpeg)
Drill Holes to Secure Frame
Remove the frame and drill holes through the bottom of the boat in the center of the outlined marks using a 1/8-inch drill bit.
![Drill Holes for the Frame Drilling Holes](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/7/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-5_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400982832184.jpeg)
Create Spikes for Base Support
Measure and mark a 45-degree angle 4 inches down a piece of 2x4 pressure-treated wood using measuring tape, a pencil and speed square (Image 1). Use a chop saw set to a 45-degree angle configuration to create proper shape needed for a spike (Image 2). Repeat three times for a total of four spikes.
![A ruler and a pencil are used to measure and mark a piece of wood.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/3/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-6_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400981049917.jpeg)
![Use chop saw set to 45-degree angle configuration to create proper shape needed for a spike. Repeat 3 times for a total of 4 spikes.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/1/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-7_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400954371614.jpeg)
Secure Base Into Ground
Secure one spike in each of the four corners of the box frame using 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws (Image 1). Turn the frame over so the spikes are facing downward, and hammer each of them into the ground (Image 2). Slide the boat on top of the frame, lining up the original trace marks (Image 3). Drill 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws into the holes inside the boat.
![Using exterior coated wood screws, secure one spike into each of the four corners of the box frame.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/7/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-8_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400982832239.jpeg)
![In this step, secure the sandbox frame to the ground by turning the frame over so that the spikes face downward, then hammer the spikes into the ground.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/6/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-9_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400982747033.jpeg)
![Slide the boat on top of the frame, lining up the original trace marks. Drill 2 1/2-inch exterior-coated wood screws into the holes inside the boat.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/6/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-10_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400982747422.jpeg)
Waterproof Bottom of Boat
Drill holes through the bottom of the boat for water drainage using a 1/2-inch drill bit (Image 1). Spray the bottom of the boat with Plasti Dip sealant to prevent moisture-induced decay and deterioration (Image 2).
![Using a drill bit, drill holes through the bottom of the rowboat sandbox for water drainage.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/3/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-11_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400981049744.jpeg)
![Spray the bottom of the boat with plasti-dip sealant to prevent moisture-induced decay and deterioration.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/3/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-12_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400981050108.jpeg)
Add Finishing Touches
Cover the bottom of the boat with burlap fabric to prevent sand from washing out of the drainage holes (Image 1). Fill the boat with sand to desired height (Image 2).
![Step 13: Add BurlapCover the bottom of the boat with burlap fabric to prevent sand from washing out of the drainage holes.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/3/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-13_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400980981728.jpeg)
![Step 14: Fill with SandFill the boat with sand to desired height.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/4/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_step-14_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400981835857.jpeg)
![This backyard features a sandbox sailboat ready for adventures.](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2013/7/15/6/BPF_original_rowboat-sandbox_beauty-b_4x3.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.462.85.suffix/1400982747242.jpeg)