1.     CARDBOARD – Boats can be constructed from corrugated non-waxed cardboard only.  NO solid laminates like carpet tubes, shipping tubes, construction-footing tubes, etc.  The use of wood, Styrofoam or anything non-cardboard is not permitted.

2.     GLUE & PAINT – contact cement or rubber cement may be used to join the seams, ½” only.  Hulls may be painted  with with one-part” latex paint only.  No epoxy glues, fiberglass resins or “two-part” varnishes or paints may be used.

3.   TAPE - Duct Tape may be of varying colors for creativity but

must have come manufactured in that color.  Duct tape may be used over the seams ONLY.  Please do not cover your boat with tape, it adds too much weight & slows you down, besides it is not allowed.

4.  SAFETY – For safety sake, the structure of your magnificent vessel cannot interfere with the crew from making a hasty exit in the case of a sinking vessel.  All crewmembers must have a clear exit path from the vessel.  Your boat can be disqualified if it has a structure enclosing the shoulders or is located above the crew.

5.    WASHERS, NUTS & BOLTS- These items may be used to hold your boat seams together.

6.  OARLOCKS - no oarlocks are permitted.  A boat must be powered by humans using oars only. 

7. BOAT IDENTIFICATION - all boats must display their boat number on the bow & stern (front & back) and are allowed to have their name & logo on their boat. 

                     
ALL BOATS MUST HAVE A FLOAT ATTACHED with a minimum of 4 feet of line.  This will allow us to identify where the wreckage to be found.

8.   DECORATING – Trim or decorating your boat is allowed but must not aid in floatation or structure of the boat.  Decorations that may become dislodged from the boat in the water (i.e.) must  be avoided.  If this should occur, a hefty fine will be imposed for the committee to clean up.

If any illegal items used in construction are discovered during the pre-race inspection, the boat will be disqualified from the event.

THE RACE

1. All boats must be registered by 11:00 a.m. on the day of the event.  Boats will be judged on their creativity as part of the pre-race activities.  Areas used in judging the Most Creative category will include: - 

• Ship Design,
• Creative Use of Cardboard/Duct Tape,
• Theme,
• Costumes,
• Enthusiasm/Showmanship.

2. All boats with crew must pass through the staging area prior to racing.  This will allow us to verify items such as PFDs, foot protection,  floats on the boats, etc.

3. Heats will consist of 2 boats at a time.  The boats must follow the course from start to finish.  Fastest boat from each category to determine the winners.

4. The boats will make one complete lap around the course and will have completed the race when all the crew and the boat cross the finish line.  To be considered a race winner, at least one crew member must be in the boat at the finish line, even if the boat is water. 

5. The course will consist of a line of buoys outlining the race area.  Do not leave the race area while racing.  If you are unable to control the heading of your boat & appear to be heading out of the race area, stop paddling and a safety boat will help you get in the race area with proper heading.

6. At no time are the paddles to touch the bottom (no poling or walking). Propulsion will be strictly limited to oar contact with the water. Only oars are permitted to propel the boat.  Feet and arms are not allowed.  The oars must propel the boat only.  Any  poling will result in an automatic disqualification.

7.  No crew exchanges between heats, you started the race with your team and you must finish the race with your team.

8.  The Captain is responsible for removing the vessel from the water & the park at the end of the day.  There will be recycling and garbage bins provided.

9. When your boat is called to enter the race, the team must place their boat in the water.  When the whistle blows the crew may board their boat.  You will be allowed a team member who ashore to stabilize the boat for boarding purposes, this team member is only allowed to hold the boat at arm’s length only.

10. No running starts are allowed.  Team members in the boat must be kneeling or sitting when propelling toward the finish line. 

• LYING DOWN ON THE BOAT IS NOT ALLOWED.

11. The race is completed by having one part of the boat touching or crossing the finish line.  A minimum of one competitor must ride  in the boat across the entire course.