Tips and Techniques

Construction Materials

Corrugated Cardboard Duct Tape up to ½ in. thick any color combined ≤ 1 in. thick on seams

only

How much will you sink?

Design SuggestionsSketch out your design

Build a scale model from manila paper estimate materials or plan how to use what you have plan out what construction techniques will be used

1’ x 1’ x 3’ box will float 187 lbs.It it’ll hold you, it’s big enough to float.

Flat bottom and sit-to-paddle boats are the easiest.

If cardboard layers are combinedthey must be touching with NO AIR separating themCombine them so that one is at a 90° angle to the

other.

Common Boat Shapes

TIPSCover all edges of cardboard (it acts like a

siphon!)Reinforce the areas where you sit or kneelWider is better (3 ft max width)Shorter boats are difficult to keep straight (7 ft

max length)Best height – 18 in

Allows room to sit/kneel & still paddle over the edgeKneeling is a “power” position and allows you to

paddle faster, but sitting is more comfortable.Duct tape shrinks when painted (but it comes in

many, many colors!)Make cuts with a box cutter (razor blade) or

Exacto knife

Construction Tips

Make shallow cuts Make a crease with a for angled folds round edge for

straight folds