Felix Builds a Boat
Felix spent part of last week building a cardboard boat. Eschewing frills and fancies, he stuck to a streamlined form meant to function like a kayak.
The squirt gun of super-adhesive made him feel powerful, he said.
The "Shearwater", ready for action.
Except for an unfortunate tendency to fold up in the middle, the Shearwater did fine. Felix made it all the way to the end of the course, despite being accidentally rammed by . . . 
the S. S. Minnow, complete with the entire cast of Gilligan's Island, plus two headhunters.
And here's a fantastic cardboard boat built to look like a dragon, that I'm throwing in because it was so cool!
22 comments:
Is he paddling with a Ping Pong paddle?
We have a local cardboard boat race somewhere near here in August, this might take some looking into?!
A cardboard boat? Now how is that possible? Must be some special paint on the outside of it or something?
~Salina
That's amazing! Who says you have to be rich to have a boat :)
This is amazing! Guess I have just missed
the cardboard racing crowd. You never grow too
old to learn I say. And Felix you must use a sealer
of some kind. I am so impressed with your
work!
Ms. Dale
That is neat! I've never heard of cardboard boat racing.
I've never commented before, but I read your blog often. That cardboard boat is pretty cool! It reminded me of a Japanese video I saw on YouTube. Some celebrities built a large cardboard boat and attempted to sail it. Here's the clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhKoUbcMXCI
As Jane Austen would say, "I am all astonishment!" Great job Felix. It looks like lots of fun.
Very cool, Felix...very cool.
I too appreciate the ping pong paddle.
I am impressed!
Ruth
I just checked out the video on u tube... good!
wow... how creative!
Ok! So he made a boat out of cardboard? And it floated?? WITH HIM IN IT??? This is too funny! I must know how they get it to not get soggy? I want to try it! Could you tell me of a book or web site that tells how? Sounds fun! My grandkids will love it - ( their Mom and Grandpa will not!) :~}
Anna! Once again your kids amaze me. You know the boat-bulding assignment is a freshman "turning point" for students at the Rhode Island School of Design? Your kids are astounding.
Dawn
My dad would have loved seeing that!
Sally
Hi Anna;
How brilliant. Can you share if there is anything we need to cover the cardboard in to make it bouyant. My two wee boys would love this, come to think of it, I think all 6 would get into this boating!
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted
Please share with us Felix, your cardboard boat building knowledge! I have a young mariner that would love to build his own boat!
Felix did a great job on the Shearwater! I am curious about this event - my boys would love to do something like this. What fun!
I love cardboard boat races! We moved and I haven't heard of one here, I think I will look around more. Tons of fun just to watch!
Love the dragon boat - what a fun thing to take part in! Your apron etc arrived today, can't thank you enough - just wonderful!
Sian.
Sian, glad your package made it safely.
Yes, Felix is paddling with ping pong paddles. My cardboard boat knowledge is limited, but I know that the only materials he was allowed to use were corrugated cardboard, tape, glue, adhesive, screws, nails, and staples. I know that he only used tape and that caulked adhesive to hold things together, and just used my leftover latex wall paint (anyone recognize the new kitchen color?) to paint the boat and make it waterproof. It was really fun for him and everyone else who participated. The S.S. Minnow ended up holding 35 people at once at the end of the race (there was an engineering student on its design team!).
My Dad host these type of cardboard races with the church boys all the time. They are so fun to watch.
Felix's looks great!
---Carmen
WOW, a cardboard boat, never seen one before. Now I know what we are going to do with the huge box we have.
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