Cardboard Boat Race

The Challenge

To build a human-powered cardboard boat able to navigate a course in the fastest time possible. The fastest time will be declared the winner.

Let your imagination run wild and have fun!

General Information

There will be two divisions, solo/pair and team
There will be trophies for 1st through 3rd place in each division.
Additional awards will be given in the following categories:

TITANTIC AWARD – for the best overall sinking
ADMIRAL'S CHOICE – for the best use of decorations and costumes

Every boat captain and their crew that PRE-REGISTERS BY NOON ON MAY 9TH shall receive the official 2008 Community First Bank Crawdad Days Boat Race t-shirt.
The race begins promptly at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday May 17th , 2008.
Safety crews from the Harrison Fire Department Rescue Unit will be on hand.

Rules

You MUST wear a lifejacket at all times when you are on the water. No exceptions.
All boats must be built of corrugated cardboard and can be as thick as you want it to be. No cardboard and wood, no cardboard and plastic, no cardboard and metal. The only exceptions are the oars, propulsion system, and steering devices. These exceptions are not considered part of the boat and can be made of materials other than cardboard. Any boat suspected of using anything other than corrugated cardboard will be disqualified.
All boats must be human-powered. No motors.
Waterproofing of your boat is acceptable with one-part waterproofing substances. A two part substance is any that require the addition of a catalyst or harder. This eliminates epoxy glue, fiberglass, and certain varnishes.
Duct tape is allowed to reinforce stress points and seams. Your boat can not be wrapped in duct tape.
Have fun.

Clean Up:

Clean up is simple. If you brought it, you clean it up. This includes hauling away your boat or what might be left of it.

Tips for building a boat:

There are no blue prints, step by step instructions or preset designs here. These are only some ideas that might make your boat building experience a little easier.

What do want your boat to look like? Do you have a design in mind? It can be anything you want it to be. We have had all kinds of designs including a jeep, an outhouse, and even a helicopter. A boat design can be fun. We have had The Titanic, pirate ships, a party barge, and the raft from the movie Cast Away (complete with FedEx packages and Wilson).
And you thought what you learned in science class would never be used. Remember the term displacement, the weight or volume of a fluid displaced by a floating body. Here is what you need to know. A cubic foot of water weighs about 62 pounds. Which means a 180 pound human will float in a boat that is 1 foot by 1 foot by 3 feet. This calculation will allow you to build enough boat to float your crew without building too much and adding more weight to have to move through the water.
Put your idea on paper. Sketch it from all angles
Build a miniature of your boat using light weight cardboard or a manila folder. This will allow you to try different ideas until you find one that looks good and works.
Find some cardboard. You might get some from stores that sale or rent appliances and/or furniture. Grocery stores and department stores will also have cardboard available. All you have to do is ask for it.
Build full scale. On your cardboard use: glue (carpenters wood glue works great), silicone caulking, and tape to make your design come to life. Once your creation is complete cover it with a water sealant or paint (latex house paint does a wonderful job).
Add decorations to make your boat fun.

Cardboard handling tips:

Do not step on your cardboard. If you break the corrugations your likelihood of floating greatly decreases.
Fold your cardboard across the corrugations to insure durability. Use the dull side of the knife to score a line to fold the cardboard. This makes it easier to bend into a proper shape.
Keep your cardboard dry.

Other useful tips:

Longer boats go faster but are harder to turn.
Shorter boats (under 10 feet) are more difficult to steer in a straight line.
Allow about 18 inches for the height of your boat. You want to be able to sit and paddle without the top of your boat blocking your arm motion.
Figure on about 18 inches wide for a kayak design and about 24 inches for a canoe. The max reach for 1 person about 30 inches and 48 inches for two (sitting side by side).
A flat bottom design is recommended. A V shaped bottom is more likely to tip over.
The lower your center of gravity the more stable the boat will be. Sitting is the best. Try to avoid kneeling or standing. We all know what the likely result will be.
Duct tape shrinks when painted.
Clear tape melts when painted.
The glue from “hot glue guns” melts on hot days.
Oil based stains, caulk and glue soaks into the cardboard and may never dry. Remember keep your cardboard dry (until race time of course).