The seniors in the AP Physics class do an end-of-the-year competition each year just for fun. This year we have to build a boat out of nothing but cardboard, trash bags, and duct tape (unlimited). Our school is by the water so on the last day (this Thursday) we are all going to take our boats down and one person from each team is going to sit in the boats and actually row it about 40 meters out to a flag post. The team that captures the flag first wins.
I have no idea where to even begin. And we only have like 3 days to make it! I don’t know how to make a boat. But I’ve never won a physics competition the entire year all the guys always end up winning and this time I really want to win!! So far all I know is that I will definately be making a mini-flagpole and flying the Pakistani flag on our boat. =D I haven’t broken that to my two white group members just yet (one of which is a foreign exchange student from Italy, who will probably whine because he wants to put the Italian flag on there too).
Anyways so do you guys have any ideas on how to make this work? I thought of maybe filling up the trashbags with air just before we set it out on the water and attaching them to the sides of the boat so there’s less of a chance of it sinking. And also one of my partners suggested we laminate the boat in duct tape so it’s more water resistent.
We’re all gonna sink. :hinna: Every last one of us.
Cardboard as in cardboard from cardboard boxes. :P And what are trash can liners? =\
Trash can liners are those big, thick (45 to 50 gallons) trash bag that construction workers use for their trash...
you can take a big computer box, line the outside with thick trash liners, using duct tape and use your idea of balooning up few smaller bags to stick to all 4 sides to reduce the chance of toppling over
^ It’s not for a grade. I just really really want to win. I’m even thinking about sabotaging the other boats. Maybe poking a few holes in the cardboard. (kiddinggg)
It’s simple. The winners are the ones who designed the boat that gets to the flag first.
I'm pretty sure trash bags come in just standard size.
What do you mean put the cardboard pieces in the trashbag and then attach them to make the boat? Is that to make it water-resistant?
I'm trying to keep in mind the concepts of physics we learned in class like.. Force of buoyancy = Weight of displaced fluid. So we should make sure the boat is deep enough, right? So it will float better? =\ Does that really even work?
Numb - Tomorrow is the first official design day in class so we’ll discuss it then. We’ll probably end up having the Pakistani, Italian, and American flag on there. I will fight for Pakistan’s flag to be at the top. :]
Namaan - omg thanks for the suggestion! A small model would be a good idea. I’ll try something out tonight.
use 50-60 little shopping bag blow them tie them like balloons.
stick them under card board. make card board strong by sticking few layers together.
i believe that could hold weight of a Fat girl. or a PHAT girl.
just remember that u need to have a large surface area....
and dont get the base of the boat wet....
once cardboard is wet, it will sink in no time....
just remember that u need to have a large surface area....
and dont get the base of the boat wet....
once cardboard is wet, it will sink in no time....
if that happen make a video.
It will be fun to watch.
Well... first you need to decide the dimensions before starting the work! (I suggest 5 feet long and 2 feet (middle) wide boat...
Then sketch the drawing on a paper!
Take big card board (heavy and strong) lay down on the floor and join the joints using strong duct tape from both side, make it at least 10 feet long and 6 feet wide board!
Then take big trash bags, cut it in single layer then glue it on the cardboard using some waterproof glue! This will act as lamination and will protect the cards from water, laminate cardboard from both the sides!
Now the board is ready, next start cutting and OR bending it according the sketch/ drawing of boat you already designed!
You can make the box (boat) in a perfect rectangular shape, then add a conical shape piece at front to make it look like a boat!
This is the only to make a boat from card board which is water proof! ...
Post picture while rowing and drowning in case :-p
Thanks you guys sooo much for helping me out. I really had no idea where to begin just 2 days ago… and now my boat is almost complete.
I’m in a team building a boat with 2 of my friends, and then there was some extra cardboard left so I decided to build one on my own (I’ve never built anything on my own before!). I have decided to name my boat the “Pakistani Flagship” (no joke:D) and I’m flying the Pakistani flag on it. =) I’ve also got some other accessories that make it all patriotic. I will post pics soon. The competition is tomorrow.
ATA, I followed most of the steps. I sketched the model on a piece of paper and then converted the measurements (I will show you guys that as well). The only thing I did differently is I assembled the boat.. made all the cuts and everything and then after I duct taped it all together, I lined the bottom half of the boat with a cut trashbag.
It’s a bit hard to explain but I will post plenty of pics including some from tomorrow of my boat in the water (hopefully not sinking).
I am soooo excited! You guys are gonne be so proud of me! =]
But I’ve never won a physics competition the entire year all the guys always end up winning and this time I really want to win!! 
So far all I know is that I will definately be making a mini-flagpole and flying the Pakistani flag on our boat. =D I haven’t broken that to my two white group members just yet (one of which is a foreign exchange student from Italy, who will probably whine because he wants to put the Italian flag on there too).
clever. But a computer box doesn’t constitute as a boat! And I don’t think we can use colossal trash bags. =D heh
I’m even thinking about sabotaging the other boats. Maybe poking a few holes in the cardboard. (kiddinggg)
…I think you should make a one person Cardboard Kayak like this one: