How to make a Cardboard Boat for Physics?

Question

I could use as much cardboard as I want and duct tape and wire. Two people have to be in it and race other boats. I have no idea how to start. Helppppp

Answer 1

This is too expensive for a physics project.  You'll end up spending over 100 usd.

However check out my 2nd OPTION as u scroll thru:

If you decide to make a life size boat out of cardboard i strongly recommend you paint all the cardboard with 1 hour epoxy to waterproof it.

However, Note the question doesnt say what kind of people?   like clay or paper models.

So if you want to save hours and hundreds of dollars make an 8 inch long model of a cardboard boat and place inside 2 models of people.  Furthermore, you dont have to win the race, just be in the race.  You can paint the model cardboard boat with  a 2 thick coats of cheap white glue, let it dry 12 hours between coats,  and it will be waterproofed.

As for the motor to power the model, you tie a rubber band on the rear of the boat, with a space in the middle of the rubber band free and clear    

...|...

x-----x  

...|...

the x's represent the tie downs on each end of a rubber band.

The vertical lines are the travel lines of the paddle.

For the paddle, hold the rubber band together in the middle of it and epoxy a 2 inch long piece of flat wood, about 1/2 inch wide, to  middle of the rubber band.

When you get to the race, wind up your paddle with your hand then release it and the boat when  GO!

project complete.

here's an example of a rubber powered boat and it shows 2 pieces of wood on it, which you can paint  people faces  onto.  http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/cr_wood_glass/a...

2nd OPTION:

your other option is with REAL people.

i would used 100's of small boxes, easier to seal the cardboard boxes, rather than  cardboard tubes.  You're post office will have a supply.   Goto multiple post offices to collect dozens of small boxes.   OR  STAPLES which sells you a stack of foldable boxes, which you can fold yourself.    You must use safety glasses for folding these boxes to keep dust particles out of your eyes.

open a box and paint the insides with the  epoxy liquid , on all the corners and sides of the inside box, also paint the inside flaps.  Fold the box over to close it.

Complete this small box  with  an exterior layer of  epoxy all over 6  sides and apply your duct tape once around, one full rotation around the seams.  Let the boxes dry outside in a non wet area for 24 hours.

Do all your boxes and then once all boxes have dried, make a large rectangle shape for the floor of the box boat about 8 feet long and  3 feet wide.

Notice how when you place a box next to another box that only the sides touch.  Those will be the sides that you paint with a  1 hour epoxy.

Now the sides of the boat.  Build up one side of the boat about  4 feet high,   you'll need a new brush to paint with fresh epoxy.

then build up the boxes in the front and rear sides, again sealing with epoxy.

If you have enough epoxy left, or Carpenters glue,  Turn the boat over and paint the whole outside with a thick coat  of the Carpenters glue.     Let the whole boat dry 24 hrs.

Make paddles.    Two 5 or 6 foot long cardboard tubes, and two wide cardboard pieces, about 12 inches long and 6 in wide.

On one of the tubes, Cut a straightline down the center of one end of the tube, about 12 inches deep.  Use a hack saw to make a wide enough slit, but not too wide.

Use gloves to pull/push the 6x12 cardboard into the slit, then paint the whole thing with 1 hour epoxy and a cheap brush.

Do the same for the other cardboard tube.

Paint the two cardboard paddles with two more coats of epoxy.   Let dry 24 hours between coats. Then wrap the upper ends of the paddles with duct tape so they wont slip from your hands.

You are going to need about 1 dz cheap paint brushes and 2 gallons of epoxy.   Dozens of little boxes and a source in case you need more.   Safety glasses and rubber gloves to work with the epoxy and organic filter masks to protect your lungs.

The whole idea with the small boxes is to float on top of them as they will be filled with a small amount of air that will give you the buoyancy.

All the boxes have to be waterproofed, preferably with epoxy,  to help win this race.

One note about epoxy, it sticks to everything once cured and dont get it on your skin or eyes.

If you it cures on ur skin, DO NOT PEEL it off, you will take part of your skin too.  Let it wear off gradually.

So use dirty type clothes that u may have to throw away  if you get epoxy on them.

PS: if you dont make a keel for the bottom center of the boat just remember to kneel inside and stay still while paddling to the finish line.

VERy important when paddling.   RATE and time of paddling controls your stamina and staying straight in the water.

Youre friend at the front and you in the back have to paddle on opposite sides to stay straight.

Practice a rhythm to know when to STROKE.

1 2 stroke   1 2  stroke  yelling to each other.

The person in the back should call out the strokes so the person in the front can hear effectively.

So stand up on your knees and to keep staying in a straight line you have to paddle at the same time.

Answer 2

oMG!!

when is this due?!

You Shouldn't have been a procrastinator!! hahaha

See ya in class!

:]

Answer 3

It needs to be big enough to displace enough water to float to people. It needs to be big enough to hold to people. It needs to be strong enough to hold together and water-proof so that the hull does not get weak and colapse.

Plan to make a boat that looks like a small kayak or canoe. Yhe top of the boat (gunwale) will be in tension when you are seated in the boat, so you will need to reinfoce it with wire around (like gunwales) and provide spars across (like thwarts) which would be in compression (use cardboard rolled into a tube).

The hull of the boat should be deep, say 2 feet. The keel will need to be formed by bending the cardboard over on iself to minimize leaking. Seal the keel and the hull of the boat with duct tape all over. You'll need quite a lot to do this.

I presume you'll need to make paddles too? USe cardboard rolled into a tube to make the shaft of the paddles and duct tape a reinforced piece on to make the blade.

Good luck, this sounds fun!

Astrobuf