How do i build a foil boat?

Question

i am doing a science project and i need an alumunum boat and i need like steps to build it. ANY!?

Answer 1

I just spent 30 minutes on my answer and Yahoo kicked it. ANYWAY I'll recreate as much of my original thought as I can.

Good Q BTW, and some validity in others answers.

Think RULES and that it has to FLOAT. Certainly FOIL can work, and you could name it the USS Reynolds,,,smiles.

BTW I offer this. You can share with your teacher that CONCRETE boats float, and as a Hull substance is valid.

Ok long story short. Not knowing the guidelines you have other than substance, think of this as a REAL boat, and in that context the HULL, especially dependant on the water line, supports the rest of the entire weight and BALANCES IT. I'll explain BALLAST in a moment.

I suspect that aesthetics aren't a critical issue. Go to your local market and pick up a few aluminum Meat Loaf baking pans. Yeah I know they aren't gonna look like the QE 2, but indulge me.

In the exact center or as close as you can get to it, scribe a line, a crease, hopefully to extend the bottome of the hull lower than where the botton meets the side walls. Oh whlie you're at the market, pick up a box/package of modeling clay. Color is your choice,,,smiles. INTO that crease, after rolling a clay "worm" apply the worm to the crease, and put the hull into a sink or bath tub to gauge the "balance."

If in fact you need a deck and/or cabin, mast, etc, DO NOT secure them permanently yet. Remember "balance" You probably could add a KEEL, but don't stress that yet. The idea however IN balance is to give your boat an "EVEN KEEL" effect so that whatever you add will not tip it or sink it. The structure of a plain Meat Loaf pan will float anyway. The "ballast/Worm, helps keep your total weight "centered."

I'd be curious to know your progress and results if you don't mind... as well as your "Grade" :)

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

hmmm, I would use cut up beer cans, flattening them out. Foil is not going to hold up worth a darn. If you must use foil, be sure to get the heavy duty kind.

The shape of the boat will depend on many factors. What you need it to do, and exactly what the project is attempting to demonstrate. You could build about any design. I would shape a piece of foam, for the bottom or pontoons or...well that depends on what design you use. Then use spray glue or contact cement to foil over it. This will assure that it floats even if it leaks. I'm thinking an ordinary boat design like a whaler, but you could do anything. Make the sides high so that waves will not hurt it too bad. bits of balsa wood, or even some strips cut from aluminum cans will add some structure. if you must use the foil only, some tightly rolled up pieces taped or glued will give structure. With so few details given, I cannot give you accurate instructions. Feel free to email me at [e-mail] if you need more help.

Answer 3

40 Boat Building Videos - http://BoatPlans.NaturallyGo.com/?Pqq

Answer 4

Foil boat...? and made from aluminum...it sound like very interesting project.
How to make it i have no idle, but if you like to know how to build a gazebo i can guide you :-)