"Peggie Hall" wrote in message
et...
Alex wrote:
There was a query like this about a year ago. The consensus was, "use
LOTS of duct tape, and paddle fast!"
The guy did the race, and later reported that the organizers provided a
specific quantity of cardboard and of duct tape -- not enough tape to
waterproof both the outside and inside of his hull.
He rowed like crazy, water came over the gunwales, the cardboard got
soaked, and -- voila -- folding boat. But he had a ball!

We're iced in and I have nothing better to do...

So it seems that it's not necessarily the fastest boat, but the one that
stays afloat the longest, would win this kind of race... So unless this
has to be a "one design" category, the shortest possible vessel with the
highest gunwales would be the ideal design. Divide the tape equally to
cover as much of both the outside and inside of the hull from the keel up
to "waterproof" it as high as possible...if the gunwales get wet and melt,
so what? At least you're still afloat--albeit a bit soggy--and moving
toward the finish a lot longer than if the boat folds up.

Does that make sense...or should I forget boat design and stick to trouble
shooting potty problems?

I don't suppose they'd let you use a foot pump bailer...?
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://shop.sailboatowners.com/books...ku=90&cat=1304

It obviously depends on the rules, but if staying afloat and making progress
towards the finish are the objectives, i'd assume the hull will leak sooner
or later, and ultimately flood. So i'd start with a "frame" which would
preserve a boat-like shape, have some buoyancy and maintain stability with
the "hull" flooded ( and the occupant partly submerged - it would not
attempt to keep him/her dry). Then I'd add panels to make it look like a
boat.

Whilst rolls of cardboard wrapped in tape would have good strength and not
require lots of tape for waterproofing. I suspect they would be difficult to
join. So perhaps a square section wrapped in tape ?

Enough dreaming .....
David