school

Hi i'm in the eighth grade and for a science project i have to build a small boat (no more than 25X30cm). It has to be able to hold atleast 500 gm. I was planning on making it out of wood but i have no idea what to do! any suggestions?

 

Hi Becky.

Was it you who also posted in the "should guests be required to register" thread?

DC

 

yes, why do you ask?

 

Hi Becky,

Please tell us what type of school you are attending that requires you to design a boat while in the 8th grade. Is this for a math class? What other tools are you given to solve this problem?

Don’t worry about registering, like you said it takes a long time and we want get right to doing your assignment for you.

Gary

 

I would make it out of what we around here call Bristol board or poster board, fastened with masking tape. The boat must be a hard-chine (speedboat) boat type. When building is complete, two coats of ordinary housepaint will seal all holes and add suprising rigidity.

I often use this method to do a quick mock-up of a hull for discussions with clients. Attached is one I did of a 6 metre (18 foot) sailboat.

If you'd like, I can e-mail you the layouts for panels of a simple boat for this construction method. Let your mom or dad know that you are going to talk to me on-line first, though. They may want to check out my profile or talk to me first. I'd expect my 13-year old daughter to tell me, so I'll expect the same from you, OK?

Michael

 

If the aim is simply to hold as much weight as possible for a given size, you might want to consider a simple 'punt' shape (basically a box with one end - the bow - turned up). It would be easiest to make, would carry the weight well and be most stable for its size....
but like the others have said - give us a little more info and we can probably help more...