2015 Cardboard Regatta
The Supplies
• Corrugated Cardboard
• Elmer's Wood Glue
• Reinforced Paper Tape or Drywall Tape
• Long Straight Edge (ruler, yardstick, measuring tape)
• Cutting Implement (utility knife, box cutter, tin snips)
• Quick Dry Caulking (latex)
• Paint (approx 2 gallons) & Brush/Roller (exterior paint)
• Optional Polyurethane for top coat
• Marking Pens & Pencils
• Weights (bricks or heavy stones)
• Binder Clips or Clamps
• Putty Knife
Cost: $50 in supplies. It can be more depending on the complexity of the design.
Forbidden Materials! (NO EXCEPTIONS ALLOWED)
• Two part glue
• Fiberglass resins and plastic epoxies
• Metal
• Plastic - may be used as decoration only
• Foam core boards or styrofoam - decoration only
• Pasteboard or Chipboard types of cardboard
• Non-corrugated cardboard (e.g. cardboard tubes)
• Wood
• Cardboard that has been factory coated with wax
• Metal Foils and Paints
Rules
• All boat crew members must wear a life vest.
• You may use plastic, styrofoam, cardboard tubes, all types of cardboard to help you decorate your boat. There
materials are not to be used as any part of the structure of your boat. If we find that you have used any of the above
materials in the construction your boat will be disqualified.
• You may build your boat to fit one (1) to four (4) persons. This is your choice. No matter how many people 1-4 you
have in your boat you will all race together.
• During the race no pushing or blocking other boats. Please use good sportsmanship.
• Children (13 years and under) will race in the first heats. Races will go through the process of elimination until we have
1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners.
• Adults will race in the next hearts exactly the same.
When to start
Although you can build a boat in a weekend, building a good boat that will last through multiple races will take a bit
more time. Allow at least a couple of weeks so that the glue will dry.
BOAT BUILDING PROCESS
Step 1: Drawing a design on paper and use this design to build a small mock-up. Use this scale model to determine how
many sheets of cardboard you will need.
Step 2: Once you have a model that looks good, transfer the design to graph paper using appropriate dimensions. This
can be used to draw a pattern on the cardboard sheets.
DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS ->> Set a goal: Are you building a Fun Boat or a Fast Boat
>> Plan the right size boat-box 1x1x3 will float 180 lbs… if your boat is big enough to hold you, in all probability it will
float.
>> If you plan to have a 3 person crew, build a boat that will fit 3 people. Be sure that you account for their weight. 3
kids will take less boat than 3 adults.
>> Flat bottoms tend to be less “tippy” than V-shaped bottoms.
>> The lowest center of gravity (sitting on the bottom of the boat) is the most stable position. Kneeling or standing,
you’ll probably tip over.
DIMENSION CONSIDERATION ->> Longer boats go faster, but they are harder to turn.
>> Shorter boats are difficult to steer straight.
>> Boats ranging from 7-12 feet in length seem to be just about right.
>> Don’t make your boat sides to high. For example, 18 inches in height will allow room to sit and paddle without the
edge of the boat blocking your arms.
>> Plan width based on the number of people. If there will be just one paddler, don’t go wider than 30 inches. If you are
two or more, try about 48 inches.
Step 3: When you are ready to go, start with the flat sheet of cardboard for the bottom base. Any bends or folds in the
cardboard will weaken the boat, so try and get flat, unused sheets of cardboard if at all possible. Once you have the flat
cardboard, draw the design on it. Then you are ready to start cutting and bending. Usually a boat will be made up of
multiple pieces. Assembled together and glued in step 6.
HINT! To bend the cardboard cleanly, make a dent or crease in the flat cardboard using a blunt rounded tool like the
handle end of a crescent wrench or fold over a metal straight edge. Three (3) layers of cardboard will be plenty strong
for the bottom of the boat. Cut one piece to fit inside the bottom only with the corrugation going the opposite direction
to give strength.
Step 4: This process takes the most time because of drying between coats. Avoid oil base stains, caulk and glue. The oil
soaks into the cardboard, may never dry and this will weaken the cardboard. NO HOT MELT GLUE GUNS ALLOWED –
THIS GLUE “MELTS” ON WARM DAYS.
Paint 3 coats on all surfaces of the cardboard, including the corrugated edges, before caulking and gluing (rollers paint
faster than brushes). A polyurethane porch, deck enamel or exterior flat latex work good.
Step 5: Caulk all of the folds, corners, seams and edges of the boat shell to seal them (cut nozzle at angle to make a ushape to run along edges). Reinforce paper tape works best over caulked edges and seams. ** Duct tape is bad… it
shrinks when painted ** Clear tape is bad… it melts when painted. **
Step 6: Put all the pieces together (inside bottom pieces, sides, etc.) and glue them. Squeegee glue across entire surface
to be glued and clamp to hold the glued parts together until dry (min. 1 hour). Once the glue dries, another round of
caulking may be in order to ensure all parts are sealed. If necessary you can apply any leftover paint to the entire boat
for additional waterproofing.
Step 7: Now comes the fun part – painting and decorating the outside!
Be creative as you like…
Use bright colors, costumes, themes, etc.