Help for boat building

Hello! I'm new for boat building, but I'm starting a new project where I need to build a boat with max measurements of 100cm (3ft 3in) x 80cm (2ft, 7in). It's going to be used in a race and it needs to at least support my weight of 60kg. I'm thinking about pedals with a water wheel as the propulsion system. I'm also considering using plywood for the build, but I'm wondering about the ideal thickness and also how to paste the wood to make it water proof and should I varnish wood for water resistance?

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated and please be specific, as I know little about boats.

 

If this is a school project I hope your instructor is not trying to drown you. At best you could make a swimming aid that you lay your upper body on while you kick with your legs and paddle with your arms with the size constraints you have specified.

 

Julian your dimension for a boat to hold up your weight is unrealistic. If it was only a floating object that could hold 60kg then that would be feasible. It would merely be a float. If you intend to sit in or on the floating object and then propel it somehow, the dimensions are not going to work well for you. If all the other contestants are constrained to the same ridiculous dimensions then alright, let's have at it.

Talk to us more about the conditions and rules of your contest. Some of us will try to be helpful.