Step 1. Will you make a fan-boat, speedboat, or other design?

A. Speedboat designs are usually faster, but are more difficult & costly to make than fan-boats.

B. Look at the photo gallery for winning boat designs, examples, and ideas.

C. See pictures of real speedboat designs: catamarans, v-hulls, or RC racing boats.

D. Check the objective, group size, boat size, battery, motor, and material restrictions.

E. Think about the materials you have and what you can buy. Water propellers can cost more. 

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Step 2. Gather the materials you have & buy what is needed.

A. Will you make the boat body from a plastic bottle, Styrofoam, balsa wood, or other material?

B. Will you use an air or water propeller? Can you take it from a toy or will you buy one?

C. The motor is limited by battery restrictions. Can you take one from a toy or will you buy one?

D. Many small motors (ex: Cermag) cost $3, are 1.5V to 3V, & work fine with higher voltage.

E. You may need extra batteries, a battery holder or connector, wire, a switch, glue and tape.

F. Find local electronics and hobby stores. Call to ask about their products and prices.

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Step 3. Make the boat body & attach the battery holder, motor, & propeller.

A. Check the boat size and material restrictions. Use materials only according to instructions.

B. See how to make a balsa wood boat body. Check the photo gallery for other examples.

     Balsa wood can be bent by soaking it in warm water. Clamp, dry, trim & glue the pieces.

C. See how to attach wires to the motor. Tape them in place, attach the propeller, and test it.

D. Once it performs correctly, secure the parts (not batteries) in place with glue, tape or fasteners.

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Step 4. Safely test and re-test your boat to fix or improve it.

A. Keep fresh batteries available because some batteries will quickly run out of energy.

B. When turned on, your boat may tip to one side. Shift the battery weight to help balance it.

C. Try ways to reduce friction and mass on your boat without reducing balance and strength.

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