The idea is simply to design and construct a boat of paper or cardboard that will compete altogether for about 3 hours, 2.5 hours of which will be on dry land.

Investing considerable time and energy into creating an object designed to sail about, then for it to disintegrate from underneath you as you try to do just that, only because the of the daft choice of materials, ---- 'paper', is to be honest---- Daffy!

Any shipwright or marine engineer can tell you are, ‘One wave short of a wreck.’

But it is a crazy kind of day, bags of fun, great for charity and full of challenge. The following rendition represents seven years of building paper boats and taking part in this best of crazy ideas.

The Cut

If you can, build your boat on a large flat dry surface, away from small kids, pets and other animals. If your crafts' design is ambitious, set out plenty of time for its construction. The more ambitious the more help you will need. Begin collecting cardboard when you can. Large thick undamaged sheets are best.

There is really only one important tool, a good quality adjust and lock knife with blades that snap off in sections. Beware, they are very sharp, with a fresh blade you can shave. Watch out for children.
If you wish to be precise you will also need a metal ruler. Any long metallic straight edge will do. Choose one with lots of finger room.

To cut cardboard don't try and make the cut with one stroke, it is not only dangerous but uses up blades and fingers very quickly. Take your knife and slowly , carefully make the first cut then move the ruler away and follow the first cut channel with a second cut, then a third cut, etc. you will find that the knife will follow the channel cleanly, cutting through until the cardboard parts.

Waterproofing a paper boat can be the most frustrating part in its construction. Cardboard can go from a sturdy structure to mush in seconds so keeping out sea water for the duration of the race is probably the most important aspect in the boats creation. The best material to use is clear industrial plastic sheeting. You can purchase it in most ferreterias, (hardware shops), at about 400 pts per meter. As a rule if your boat over all length is X meters then you will need to buy X plus two meters. The plastic sheeting unfolds to a width of four meters so a whole unbroken piece can be attached about the boat allowing for a complete waterproofed seal. Use small bits of double sided tape placed one foot apart to stick the plastic to the hull and sides. Don't forget to do the insides of your boat, waves and spray can make mush of your boat there just as quickly.
If you don’t go for plastic, a coat of paint will make paper waterproof. Plug all leaks and holes before you paint.
Photograph your boat before, during and after its completion. It could be, if you don't win a prize, the only record you'll ever have of it once existing.

There are basically ten ways to build a paper boat. Click on a method to see how.

Then come back to this page to fill out the entry form.

1) The Box method
2) Flotsam and Jetsam method
3) Paper Mashie method
4) The real boat covered in cardboard method
5) The Sandwich method
6) Build a boat and sell it to someone else method
7) Don't build a boat method
8) The Carpet tube method
9) Production method
10) Adopt a boat method

Have a look at the race entrants of 1999.