Cardboard boat regatta to set sail in Bettendorf

Linda Cook
·2 min read

Students from Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley, West Liberty, Riverdale, and Moline High Schools will test cardboard boat designs at a regatta cardboard boat competition on Friday, May 10, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Bettendorf Middle Park Lagoon.

The Quad City Engineering and Science Council will judge the event and giving out awards. Five schools and more than 50 students will compete.

Cardboard Boat Race

The students’ problem is to build a one- or two-person vessel made from the construction of cardboard. It must be maneuverable and stay afloat for approximately 600 yards.

Cardboard boat regatta brings together engineering and outdoors
Cardboard boat regatta brings together engineering and outdoors

Rules:

  • Each boat must be constructed solely of cardboard including any means of powering the boat. (Paddles, oars, paddle wheels, etc.)

  • The exception to this rule is in the joints of the boat. Adhesive can be used in the joint area as long as it doesn’t increase the structural integrity of the boat. In other words the reasoning for the fastener is to seal joints and connect cardboard.

  • The boat can be made waterproof with any liquid water sealing as long as it does not increase the structural integrity. No covering boat with duct tape, plastic, or fiberglass. Paints, water sealers and water sealants are acceptable.

  • Boats will be timed from launching point until the return to the launching point.

  • Students will be disqualified if any part above their elbows and any part above their knees enter the water during the course of the race. Students can maneuver boat with hands and feet as long as it does not exceed body parts described above.

  • Boats will be displayed and checked by judges in front of the shelter at Lagoon Middle Park.All operators must wear a life jacket that will be supplied in order to compete.

  • Removal and cleanup of boats is the responsibility of boat owners and individual schools.

  • Students must be ready to launch boat at their designated times or could be subject to disqualification.

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