Milk Carton Boat Derby
Building Designs
Lake Redwood Regatta
Redwood Falls Sesquicentennial 2014
Upright Jug Design
896 Pound Capacity
Top View
Materials List:
1 sheet - ½" 4x8 Plywood
6 - 2" x 4" x 8'-0" Full Studs
1 lb - 1¼" Screws (Deck)
1 lb - 3" Screws (Frame)
40 sf - Plastic Garden Mesh
112* - One Gallon Milk Jugs
30 - Hot Glue Sticks
Total Cost about $100
*Pine Tree Dairy will supply unused
jugs—order by Thurs for Tues delivery
Hull Weight is 101 lbs:
41 lbs - Plywood Sheet
60 lbs - Studs
Upright Jug Design
Underside View
Each gallon milk jug supports approximately 8 pounds so get as many into your design
as possible. Carefully calculate your total weight requirements (hull, decorations, and
crew) to ensure you have enough support.
Flat Jug Design
560 Pound Capacity
Top View
Materials List:
1 sheet - ½" 4x8 Plywood
5 - 2" x 4" x 8'-0" Full Studs
1 lb - 1¼" Screws (Deck)
1 lb - 3" Screws (Frame)
40 sf - Plastic Garden Mesh
70* - One Gallon Milk Jugs
30 - Hot Glue Sticks
Total Cost about $86
*Pine Tree Dairy will supply unused
jugs—order by Thurs for Tues delivery
Hull Weight is 91 lbs:
41 lbs - Plywood Sheet
50 lbs - Studs
Flat Jug Design
Underside View
Each gallon milk jug supports approximately 8 pounds so get as many into your design
as possible. Carefully calculate your total weight requirements (hull, decorations, and
crew) to ensure you have enough support.
Basic Construction Steps for Hull (both designs):
1. Build outer frame & cross braces on a flat surface using 3" screws
2. Square up frame with a mallet by laying plywood on the frame and tapping
the corners to align with plywood edges
3. Screw the plywood deck to the frame and cross braces using 1 ¼" screws
4. Turn boat over and attach support legs to the outer frame using 3" screws
5. Glue milk jugs to the underside of deck using liberal amounts of hot glue
and hold jugs in place while glue sets
6. Lay mesh fabric on top of jugs and staple to the outside frame to keep jugs
contained if they come loose at sea
You now have a basic hull for your Milk Carton Boat that you can decorate
however you want. Bring your life jackets and we’ll see you on the lake!