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CARDBOARD BOAT BUILDING !
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Construction!
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Construction RULES!
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The structure of the boat must be built of corrugated cardboard or carpet roles, tape, one
part glue, and latex paint. Only exceptions are paddles and decorations. Decorative items
cannot include any materials that would be a safety risk to the participants or the
environment (such as but not limited to glass, metal, etc.)
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Tips!
1. Smooth side is outside or side that will show.
2. Cut with corrugation whenever possible.
3. Score to assist with bends and folds.
4. Place glue under all tape following instructions for application. A suggested combination
is contact cement with masking tape.
5. The goal is to make sure there are no seams, ends, or joints where water could get in.
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Build !
2 MAN BOAT - A 2 man boat is constructed of 2 identical noses and 2 identical boxes,
assembled using various fillers, gussets, glue, and tape.
1 MAN BOAT - A 1 man boat is constructed of 2 identical noses and 1 box, assembled
using various fillers, gussets, contact cement, and masking tape.
Construction elements!
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NOSE
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1. Make sure the smooth side (outside) is face down.
2. Cut length to 72”.
3. Cut end will be referred to as “bottom”.
4. Bottom: Measure 24” up from cut line and mark across.
5. Bottom: Each side- Measure 12” in on the 24” line. Mark this Point A.
6. Bottom: Draw a dotted line from Point A- perpendicular to bottom.
7. Top: Measure 12” down from top and mark across.
8. Top: Locate the center (24”) of width on 12” line and mark Point B.
9. Top: Locate a point 14 ½” in from each side along top edge and mark Point C.
10. Top: Draw a line from Point B to Point C on both sides.
11. Sides: Draw a dotted line from Point A to Point B.
12. Sides: Place a square along Line AB at Point A. Measure 11 ¾” perpendicular and
to the outside and mark Point D.
13. Draw a line from Point C to Point D.
14. Draw a line from Point A through Point D continuing your straight line to side edge.
15. See diagram for cut lines.
16. Dotted lines are to be scored and gently folded upward.
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Construction elements!
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BOX
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Make sure the smooth side (outside) is up.
Cut outside dimensions to 71 ½” long and 46 ½” wide.
Draw a dotted line 11 ¾” in, along length (71 ½”) on each side, lines A.
Draw a dotted line 11 ¾” in, from each end, lines B.
In each corner (11 ¾ x 11 ¾), draw a line ¼” in, from long ends.
In each corner, draw a line ¼” x 11 ¾” parallel to line A, and to the inside.
See diagram for cut lines.
Dotted lines are to be scored and gently folded upward.
GUSSETS
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Two gussets are required for each nose section.
Side up does not matter.
Cut 11” tall (means this is the direction of the corrugations) x 12” long.
Score at center.
Construction elements!
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FILLER
1. Various fillers are required as needed during assembly.
2. Pieces for each side of a 1- man boat will be 11” tall, 36” long, lined up with top along
sides.
3. A 4' x 4' wrap is required for 2- man boats to reinforce under belly between 2 boxes.
NOSE ANGLES
1. Cut 2” x 4” pieces (basically angles) as desired to support nose cover.
2. Mount along top inside of nose so outstanding leg can receive/support nose cover.
NOSE COVER
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Using a 24” x 48” scrap, lay piece on top of assembled boat at nose.
Direction of corrugation doesn’t matter.
Mark on underside of scrap piece for a perfect fit.
Secure nose cover using nose angles and edges of nose.
ASSEMBLY!
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ONE MAN BOAT (2 Noses – 1 Box)
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1. Fold noses and box according to diagrams.
2. Use glue under tape wherever it is logical.
3. Gussets are placed with score at connection of nose to box and lined up with top edge.
Attach gusset to box first.
4. Lay out nose – box – nose.
5. Filler (11” x 36”) piece is located from front nose gusset to back nose gusset.
6. Filler lines up gusset to gusset even with the top of the box.
7. Mount nose angles along top inside of nose to receive cover.
8. Cut and add nose cover.
9. Finish includes gluing/taping all rough edges.
TWO MAN BOAT (2 Noses – 2 Boxes)
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1.Fold noses and boxes according to diagrams.
2.Use glue under tape wherever it is logical.
3.Gussets are placed with score at connection of nose to box and lined up with top edge.
Attach gusset to box first.
4.Lay out nose – box- box – nose.
5.Filler (48” x 48”) piece is placed from front nose to back nose.
6.This fills gap in center wrapping belly of boat on outside (smooth side down).
7.It lines up with the top of the boat between nose and box on both sides.
8.Mount nose angles along top inside of nose.
9.Cut and add nose cover.
10.Finish includes gluing/taping all rough edges.
Cardboard Boat Physics
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“How much will you sink?” Displacement!
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Cardboard Boat Design Suggestions
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Cardboard Boat Design Suggestions
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• Set the Design Goals:
▪ Fun, speed, and appearance…….Sketch out your design
▪ Build a scale model from poster board
▪ Estimate materials or plan how to use the materials you have
• 1’ X 1’ X 3’ box will Float 187 lbs
• If it’ll hold you, it’s big enough to Float
• Flat bottom, sit-to-paddle, & canoe styles are the best/easiest.
• A rudder is not allowed…..it helps keep you straight but makes turning difficult and
adds complexity.
• Long boats go fast, but these boats are harder to turn.
• Short boats, less than 8 feet, are difficult to steer straight.
• Best Width:
▪ 18” to 30” for one person
▪ 48” for two people side by side
• Best Length: 8’ - 12’
• Best Height: 18”
• Allows room to sit/kneel & still paddle over the edge
• Kneeling is a power position but sitting is more comfortable
Construction Tips & Techniques
Cover all edges of cardboard – Openings act like a siphon
Cardboard tubes make great frames:
• Cut for joining & bending
• Fasten tubes together
Cardboard Hull:
• 1-2 layers, fasten & cover the seams
• Width 2 layers, overlap the seams & paint in between
• Decorate, paint
Reinforce the area where you sit, kneel or stand
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Carpenter’s glue and liquid nails work well:
●Hot glue melts in the heat and sun
Duct tape only, non-painted surfaces (tubes or frame that will be covered)
• Duct tape shrinks when painted
• Duct tape should be covered with masking tape if you need to paint it
• Clear tape melts when painted
●Masking tape works well on glued edges & seams
●Craft paper with spray adhesive may also be used
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Construction Tips & Techniques (cont.)
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Cardboard could be scored, folded and glued to form beams.
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Construction Tips & Techniques (cont.)
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Fold and overlap cardboard around corners.
Multiple cardboard layers glued together on
the sides strengthen the hull.
Multiple trapezoid-shaped pieces glued together
to form a support block.
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Building a cardboard boat requires….
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Imagination/Creativity
Planning
Physics
Following Instructions
Teamwork
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HAVE FUN!