Okay, so I’ve been wanting to build a portable volleyball court for a while now. You know, something I could set up in the park, at the beach, or even in a big enough backyard. I finally took the plunge and decided to go with a keel, plywood, and portable wooden flooring system. Here’s how it went down:

Planning and Gathering

First things first, I needed a plan. I sketched out some rough ideas, figuring out the dimensions I wanted and how many panels I’d need. The whole idea was to make it modular, so I could easily transport and assemble it.

Then came the shopping trip. I grabbed a bunch of plywood sheets – went with a decent thickness for durability. The keel part was crucial, so I got some sturdy 2x4s to build the supporting frame. And of course, I needed a whole lot of screws, wood glue, and some heavy-duty hinges for connecting the panels.

Building the Keel Frame

I started with the keel – basically the skeleton of the whole thing. I cut the 2x4s to length, making sure everything was square and level. This part was super important because it’s what gives the floor its support and stability. I used a ton of wood glue and screws to make sure those joints were rock solid. I’m no carpenter, but I made sure every joint fit.

Attaching the Plywood

Next up, the plywood. I laid the sheets on top of the keel frame, making sure they were flush with the edges. This part felt like putting together a giant puzzle. Lots of screws went in here – I wanted to make sure the plywood wasn’t going anywhere. I pre-drilled all the screw to try and get things extra tight, I think it helped.

Making it Portable

This is where the “portable” part comes in. I divided the whole structure into manageable sections, then used heavy-duty hinges to connect them. The idea was to be able to fold the sections up like an accordion for easy transport. It took some fiddling to get the hinges aligned perfectly, but it worked out in the end.

Finishing Touches

Almost there! I sanded down all the edges and surfaces to avoid any nasty splinters. Then, I applied a couple of coats of polyurethane to protect the wood from the elements and make it more durable, because this flooring will take a beating.

Setting it Up

The first time setting it up was a bit of a learning curve. It definitely helps to have an extra pair of hands. But once I got the hang of it, it was pretty straightforward. Unfold the sections, lock them in place, and boom – instant volleyball court!

Overall, I’m pretty stoked with how it turned out. It’s sturdy, surprisingly portable, and it feels great to play on. It’s not perfect, mind you – there are a few little imperfections here and there. But hey, I built it myself, and that’s a pretty awesome feeling. Now, who’s up for a game?