CARDBOARD BOAT RACING!!!

We’ve seen the Mythbusters build gliders out of concrete, crossbows out of paper and hovercraft out of assorted parts…but can they build boats that float out of cardboard?

We know that not all episodes deal with myths. Some are good natured competition and tests of creativity, basic skills and ability. A cardboard boat competition fits well into this category.

Each year clubs and organizations in communities across the US (and presumably elsewhere) show their creativity and have lots of fun while building and racing human powered cardboard boats. Not some dinky little thing that floats in your sink but large and sometimes elaborate single or multi-person boats that you get in and competitively race in a large body of water on a closed course against other savvy (or hapless) builders. The events are wildly popular and seem to grow in attendance and entries from year to year.

These competitions are extremely popular with college engineering departments and equally well recieved by primary school science classes. Judging from the popularity of other build-from-scratch Mythbusters episodes, this one has the potential to garner a broad audience appeal.

I’ve built and successfully raced a 15-foot cardboard kayak. This year I’m working with a youth organization to build and race two 8-person cardboard boats in our local competition.

Here is the link to our races: http://www.riverlegacy.org/cardboardboatregatta.html


HISTORY Cardboard boat races have over a 30 year history. It is believed to have started in Illinois.


THE MYTHBUSTERS COMPETITION

Ideal MythBuster(s) to Conduct the Test:

Either Jamie and Adam against one another (my personal preference) and/or the Build Team compete against each other in a build-off and in-water test of their cardboard boats.


PROPOSED COURSE LOCATION

Best Method to Conduct the Test:

A closed course race. The harbor area where the Archimedes segment was filmed would provide a large and smooth course. Launch and navigate along a one-half mile long course bounded by three buoys out and back. The first to reach the finish line wins. That is IF they make it!


SCIENCE:

Displacement – Water weighs about 60 pounds per square foot. How much draft is needed to keep a person afloat?

Structure – Correctly oriented, the fluting of corrugated cardboard can be very strong. Explore and explain this to the viewers.

Engineering – The challenge of how do you make your boat fast and maneuverable?


CREATIVITY: A race of ingenuity. Who will win…or who will SINK while trying!


MATERIALS:

Give each participant an identical kit of parts to work from.

Suggested:

1.) Six sheets of standard unwaxed 4x8 foot corrugated cardboard.

2.) One quart of yellow carpenter’s wood glue.

3.) One gallon of white acrylic latex house paint and brush.

4.) One utility knife and 10 spare blades.

5.) Three foot aluminum straightedge and aluminum square.

6.) One magic marker.

7.) Three 60-yard length rolls of 2-1/2 inch wide masking tape.

8.) Two tubes of acrylic caulk and caulking gun.

9.) About 15 standard house bricks for weights while glue sets and dries.

10.) One standard paddle.

11.) One USCG approved life vest.

12.) Use of any other materials is strictly prohibited. Cheaters will be branded as “pirates”.

CARDBOARD BOAT BUILDING ILLUSTRATED:

http://www.capecoralregatta.com/boatbuild.htm

http://www.rotaryriverrally.com/documents/buildAboat.pdf

http://www.dogwoodarts.com/downloads/videos/buildingtips.pdf


THE TOP TEN LIST (WHY DO IT?)

1.) This episode would again pit the veracity of Jamie and Adam against one another.

2.) Not all episodes deal with myths. Some are good natured competition and tests of creativity, basic skills and ability. The cardboard boat competition fits well into this category.

3.) Builds on past successes. The popular Alcatraz escape episode featured building and sailing a boat out of novel materials. Would it float? What problem solving is required? This competition would have a similar tone and suspense.

4.) To observe and enjoy Adam’s bizarre thought process and adolescent behavior during the design, construction and racing phases of the contest. Hey, we all know that he will try to pull off some goofy stunt, right?

5.) To observe and enjoy Jamie’s Spock-like rational thinking and fine craftsmanship.

6.) Will they both make it to the finish line? Will either boat fall apart halfway through the course? Would it be an outright sinking or a leaky and waterlogged ending? Either is a definite possibility. A possibility of ‘Titanic’ proportions!

7.) Very low production costs. Much bang for the buck. Dan is happy!!! :-)

8.) Can be easily scripted and edited to hold audience interest and for a high drama ending.

9.) Spin-offs. What else can they make out of cardboard in a future episode? i.e. bridge & etc.

10.) A simple, safe, fun, family-friendly, memorable, inspirational and non-controversial episode.

Related Images and Links:

WEBSITES WITH MORE CARDBOARD BOAT NEWS AND INFORMATION:

(THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF EVENTS AND ONLINE REFERENCES)

Fourth Annual Howard County Boat Float (Cardboard Boat Race)

http://www.hocoboatfloat.com/

The 5th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta at Ocean Breeze Waterpark is looking for adventurers to compete in their wacky and wet event in September 2008.

http://www.cardboardboatregatta.org/

Cardboard Boat Races at Tempe Town Lake

http://www.shortypen.com/events/2007/cbb/gscout/index.htm

World Championship Cardboard Boat Regatta Slated for July 29

http://www.arkansasmediaroom.com/news-releases/listings/display.asp?id=762

Great Cardboard Boat Regatta

http://search.cityguide.aol.com/phoenix/entertainment/great-cardboard-boat-regatta/e-2277565

Cardboard boat aficionados roil Whalom's placid waters; 15 entries try to stay afloat in the just-for-fun competition. The 10th annual Great Cardboard Boat Race sported a regatta of 15 boats on Whalom Lake yesterday.

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-167248606.html

Cutting loose, not cutthroat Cardboard boat regatta more about fun than winning.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb5273/is_200108/ai_n20705993

More Cardboard Boats - This is probably my last entry ever, as I prepare to meet my watery end tomorrow afternoon.

http://www.blue-room.com/onetruth/archive/000591.html

To design and build a cardboard boat that is human powered and racing around a predetermined course.

http://www.tri-c.edu/techprep/pdf/cardbdcanoe/cardbdrules.pdf

Merrimack Public Library Cardboard Boat Festival

http://www.merrimack.lib.nh.us/cdboard/index.shtml

Springfield Days Festival and Cardboard Boat Regatta

http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/accotink/cbbr.htm

SIUC will host annual Great Cardboard Boat Regatta

http://news.siu.edu/news/April05/041205pd5054.jsp

The ORIGINAL event featuring cardboard boats. Now Regattas are enjoyed by more than 1,500 participants and more than 100,000 spectators across the USA each summer, and more communities join the Circuit each year.

http://www.gcbr.com/faqs.html#howstarted

IEEE: Cardboard Boat Regatta: a creative design experience for an introductory engineering course

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/Xplore/login.jsp?url=/iel5/7628/20808/00963942.pdf?arnumber=963942

Ya’gotta Regatta – Astoria, Oregon

http://www.swimastoria.com/index_files/Page874.htm

The Wingham Musical Muskrat Festival Mighty Maitland Regatta

http://www.musicalmuskratfestival.com/regatta.htm

VIDEO - CARDBOARD BOAT RACES ON YouTube:

19th Hole - Ankeny Summerfest Cardboard Boat Regatta ( Classic illustration of how NOT to build one! )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Mv1efyBao

cardboard boat regatta 1 ( Better design and constrction, but questionable navigation technique. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QS5BXQFtMM

CARDBOARD BOAT RACES 2007 ( A little more coordinated here. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5INmOh8oIQ

Cayman Islands Cardboard Boat Regatta 2007 ( Really BIG and elaborate boat designs. An adult race. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2PcHUniSLJs

Cardboard boat races

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuqkV-QV-G4

2007 Cardboard Board Regatta-Titanic Award Winner-Gee Bee 11 ( Some don't make it to the Starting Line. )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhQ7KIYoQiQ

AP Physics final projects (also watch the methol alcohol experiment at the end)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHfGct2XvlU

EXTREME MYTHBUSTING

sea flea (What would happen if you put an outboard motor on a cardboard boat? )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXppmwMiSGU


ONLINE SEARCH KEYWORD TAGS RELATED TO CARDBOARD BOATS:

1.) cardboard boat plans

2.) how to make cardboard boat

3.) cardboard boat tips

4.) cardboard boat designs


Happy Mythbusting!!!