looking for advice or help

[amsuperpro6099]

i have a project where i need to design a 30cm by 20cm boat.
Design and construct a recycled boat that is powered by anything other than electricity or combustible fuels.
which means im allowed to use rubber bands etc...
ive attemped with a few things but nothing has been succesful
any advice appreicated
thanks

 

[bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Superpro.
Are the 'rules' mentioned above the only rules that you have to observe in the design of your boat?
Does it have to be 30 cm x 20 cm, or is this approximate?
Re using recycled materials, does it have to be absolutely 100% recycled?
I am thinking that rubber bands are probably not made from recycled materials?
The logical type of boat that comes to mind would be a catamaran with sails.
If you found some sail cloth in a skip / dumpster would this count as recycled?

 

[HelmutSheina]

Lots of second hand fabrics could be used for a 30cm boat sails if they don't need to survive for long. But like Bajan says, you are shy on details, for example are there performance criteria? Have you seen the models of Marshallese flying proas?

 

[kerosene]

20x30 is very small. Hard to keep going straight in even tiny waves or ripples. Where will it be tested? A pool? Catamaran will be likely best form for stability and low resistance. Also quite simple to fit say a paddle wheel between the two hulls. In design school we had to make a “car” powered by a rubber band and mine was very crude but effective. Xps foam body, cd-disc wheels, powered axle was steel rod with a short nub (like a T) that you could loop the rubber band around, then just wound it by spinning backwards. When it spooled all the way open the band let go and allowed free-wheeling.
Few basic things about boat design for this. Make hulls as long as possible. Make the hulls fairly “kayak” shaped. Fine front and rear. Small fins in rear can help with directional stability. Generally weight low and light is good but if you have burst of energy mass can help.

Mousetrap would have a lot of energy but bit hard to gear down. Soda and vinegar propulsion could be fun and not terribly toxic in a pool. Menthos and cola if dirtying up the water is tolerable (ideally piped into steam engine haha)

 

[amsuperpro6099]

Hi all
so some more info and answering the questions

• Maximum length 30cm.
• Maximum width 20cm.
• Boat needs to steer straight so may require a rudder; the boat cannot touch the pool sides.
• Boat must travel the full 3m of the pool with a maximum of 3 attempts to get full marks.
• The hull must be made from recycled materials.
• The bow cannot have a sharp point, mainly to protect the inflatable pool.
• Boat designs should consider the following boat building concepts: Hull shape, displacement,
buoyancy, water tightness, and stability.
• Examples of energy sources are: Rubber bands, balloons, mouse traps, springs, heat
exchange/steam. Other options can be discussed with the teacher before implementing them.
• All components of the boat must be completed during class time (nothing done at home).
• Tools, glue & tape will be provided in class but students are responsible for sourcing & bringing
all other materials for the construction of their boat (storage will be available in the classroom).
• No commercial hobby kits or premade parts are allowed.
• Each person will be given 1 minute & 3 attempts to travel the full 3m. Boats may only be held
in the water & released, no pushing.

I dont think if i found cloth in a dumpster it would technically be recycled
i just used ai to get a basic idea of what i wanted and it looks ok but i dont want to use ai
just inspo

 

[amsuperpro6099]

Welcome to the Forum Superpro.
Are the 'rules' mentioned above the only rules that you have to observe in the design of your boat?
Does it have to be 30 cm x 20 cm, or is this approximate?
Re using recycled materials, does it have to be absolutely 100% recycled?
I am thinking that rubber bands are probably not made from recycled materials?
The logical type of boat that comes to mind would be a catamaran with sails.
If you found some sail cloth in a skip / dumpster would this count as recycled?

hi
just sent a message with all my details in the thread.

 

[portacruise]

Small CO2 canister might be fastest, shooting controlled air leak out the back, if allowed? Rubber bands, springs, mouse traps, etc. are all pre made.

 

[Skip Johnson]

As much as I despise pontoon boats a catamaran out of a couple of empty water bottles would be hard to beat. Rubber band tech goes way back in time, a longer run of rubber wound tight used to be a standard.
Best wishes.