HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN OYSTER FLOAT

TAYLOR FLOAT

The Taylor float, so called because much of the design and original testing was done by Jake Taylor at VIMS, is constructed of 4 inch diameter PVC pipe and galvanized or plastic-coated wire. The original float was approximately 2 ft x 8 ft x 1 ft deep and of sufficient size to grow 1500 to 2000 oysters to market size. Because the size and weight of this float were difficult for many people to handle, a smaller version was devised. This smaller float is 2 ft x 3 ft x 1 ft deep and will hold about 500 oysters to market size.

Lightweight, schedule 20 PVC drain pipe works as well as the more expensive schedule 40 pipe. Sizes of the pipe and the number of fittings are shown below. The mesh cage of the float is generally constructed of 1 inch square, double-dipped 16-gauge vinyl coated wire mesh. The wire cage is then attached to the PVC float using cable ties or nylon duct clamps.

Materials for a Taylor Float

	LARGE FLOAT (2' x 8' x 1')	SMALL FLOAT (2' x 3' x 1')
Double-dipped 16 gauge vinyl coated wire, 1" x 1" squares *	10' x 4' sheet	<5' x 4' sheet
4" schedule 20 gauge PVC pipe **	2 - 10' lenths	1 - 10' length
4" schedule 20 gauge PVC 90 degree angles	4	4
14 1/2" black plastic cable ties or 36" nylon duct clamps **	10	8
Gray PVC glue and PVC cleaner **	Same	Same
24' #8 crab pot line *	Same	Same
1/2" stainless steel pig rings	Same	Same
Appropriate material for a lid	Same	Same

Measure 12" in from each end of the wire mesh and cut the wire 12", on each long side. (Diagram A)
Fold the wire up 1' on all sides, bending the cut end pieces to lap over the sides, thus forming a basket 2' x 3' and 1' deep. (Diagram B) Fasten the cut ends of the mesh with stainless steel pig rings. (Diagram C)

>Cut the 10' lengths of PVC pipe into two 21.5" pieces and two 35" pieces. Remove burrs from the cut ends, clean with PVC cleaner and glue the four lengths of PVC pipe together with the elbows, to form a frame with inside dimensions of 2' x 3'. Set the wire basket into the frame and fasten the basket using black plastic cable ties.

A lid may be fashioned of a 3' wood strip to which is fastened a 3' x 2' strip of filter cloth, or may be made of plywood, fiberglass, or other materials.

* Available from Ocean Products, Diggs, VA
** Available from plumbing supply houses (Ferguson-Peebles in Gloucester, VA)

Taken in part from Mark Luckenbach's "Oyster Gardening in Virginia, An Overview of Techniques".