Need to design a styrofoam boat?

Question

For a class project we have to make a styrofoam boat that is powered by a balloon. What would be the best way to do this?

Answer 1

1. Your boat should either have a narrow bow such as a canoe or kayak, or flat bottom boat that where the bottom curves up at the bow, think a barge or a Boston Whaler ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Whaler ) or an airboat ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airboat ). Either of these types of design will do a good job with drag. Although I might try to mimic the air boat. It would be easier to build.

2. You need a fin on the bottom to keep it going straight. You could even have two fins, one on each side.

3. I'd also put a nozzel on the balloon outlet to make it a bit more efficient. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_engine . A little cone would make it much more efficient.

Answer 2

Look in boat racing books or magazines and find a hydro-plane. When you really look at a hydro-plane there is not to much to them. Very simple design. Hydro-planes can go in excess of 250 M.P.H.