Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Design Rules - Classes
Class 1
• Boats must be constructed out of cardboard and DUCT tape and wholly powered by human
muscle
• Oars or paddles are acceptable as propulsion tools.
• These propulsion tools may be constructed from materials other than cardboard.
• All other parts of the boat must be corrugated cardboard and DUCT tape. This includes the hull,
decking, keel, cowling, superstructure, oar locks, seating and rudder.
• Permissible materials
•
•
•
•
Corrugated cardboard - appliance or grocery stores
Cardboard "Blocks" - from furniture stores
Cardboard Tubes - from carpet stores
Fastening materials - Duct tape, Gaffer Tape
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Design Rules - Classes
Class 1 (cont)
• Materials not allowed
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wood, Styrofoam
Plastic sheathing
Fibreglass
Coated cardboard
Silicone, Wax, Tar
Caulking compounds
Liquid Nails Adhesive
Latex paint, varnish
Metal - nuts, bolts, washers and staples are not allowed.
Class 2
• Display boats only.
• May use other materials in construction but are not permitted to enter the water or compete in water based races.
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Regatta - Divisions
Divisions:
• Division 1 – 12 years of age and under
• Sponsored by a rotary club
• School /club/organisation entry
• Individual entry
• Division 2 – 13 – 17 years of age
• Sponsored by a rotary club
• School /club/organisation entry
• Individual entry
• Division 3 – 18 and Over
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Materials - examples
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Design
• Consider the size of the boat - building and transport
• Big enough to hold crew, small enough to transport and carry
• Wider is better for stability, but still must be able to paddle
• No surfboard style designs are allowed
• Rafts are allowed
• Consider total weight of all materials when wet
• Everything must be removed from water - nothing to be left behind
• Boat decorations and crew costumes are encouraged - use your
imagination... awards for creativity
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Physics
Displacement – how much will your boat sink?
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Physics
Buoyancy - Wider is better
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Physics
Movement through the water
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Design Suggestions
• Set the Design Goal: Fun, Speed and Appearance
• Sketch out your design
• build scale model from heavy paper
• estimate materials or plan how to use what you have
• plan out what construction techniques will be used
• 300mm x 300mm x900mm box will float approx. 85 kg
• if it will hold you, it is big enough to float
• Flat bottom, sit-to-paddle & canoe styles - are the best/easiest
• Rudders help you keep you straight but make turning difficult and
adds complexity to your design
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Cardboard Boat Design Suggestions
• Long boats go fast - but are harder to turn
• Short boats (<2.4m) - are difficult to keep straight
• Best length : 2.4 -3.6 meters
• Best Height : 400mm
• Allows room to sit/kneel & still paddle over the edge
• Best Width:
• 400mm to 900mm (max) for 2 or more people front and rear
• Minimum 1200mm wide for 2 people side by side
• Knelling is a “power” position but sitting more comfortable
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Tips and Techniques
• Cover all edges of cardboard - acts like siphon
• Cardboard Tubes make great frames
• Cut for joining & bending
• Fasten tubes together
• Cardboard Hull
• 1-2 layers, fasten & cover the seams
• With 2 layers, overlap the seams
• Decorate eg. marker pen, coloured duct tape, etc
• Reinforce the area where you sit, kneel or stand
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Tips and Techniques 111
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Tips and Techniques 1V
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Tips and Techniques V
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Tips and Techniques V1
Soggy Bottom Cardboard
Box Boat Regatta
Boat Building Guidelines
Construction Tips and Techniques V11
This information sheet has been adapted from document prepared by United Way of Elkhart County for the Great Cardboard Boat Race http://www.unitedwayec.org/august-26-set-sail-us