Motorboat Book: Build & Launch 20 Jet Boats, Paddle-Wheelers, Electric Submarines & More
ONO Appendix B will tell you how to make connections between the science standards and the projects described in this book Ship’s Log As founding director of the National Inven tors Hall of Fame I have met many great liv ing inventors Individually and in groups they repeatedly expressed the importance of having the opportunity to mess around in a shop or laboratory early in their careers These unstructured experiences gave them the skills and self confidence to be successful later Messing around with motorboat projects is a great way to launch children into creative pur suits If you are less interested in the learning value and more interested in messing around with boat
you will still have a blast I provide the directions but allow you all the latitude you need to build each project your own way While building you will come up with dozens of new ideas to improve or personal ize the models That's what I want My goal is to encourage you to try new technologies build new designs and expand on what I suggest I wish you fair winds and following seas and many happy hours messing around with The Motorboat
Start with an Ocean f you are going to make these models you will need a place to test them and show them off You need an Ocean If you have a swimming pool or pond available you can use either provided you first give it a suit able name Since Atlantic Pacific and Indian are already taken come up with a new name for your Ocean Safety When you create or use any open body of water take care that people especially young children cannot get into them unsupervised Even a few inches of water is a hazard for a small child If a body aquatic isn't available build your own Here are several size
Large Oceans How big would you like to make your ocean The limitations are the size of level ground you have and the depth of the ocean you need For most purposes I find that a good size for an outdoor ocean is 4 feet by 8 feet Conveniently hard ware stores sell waterproof tarps and sheets of plastic large enough for an ocean of this size They also carry larger size materials or you can duct tape several tarps together if you really need to A shallow ocean requires less support and is a safer option than a deeper ocean As water depth increases the pressure pushing your ocean apart will increase and require stronger construction An ocean with a depth of 4 to 6 inches works well but you may need more water if your models hit bottom Adult supervision required Materials 4 folding tables or similar flat surfaces Waterproof tarp with grommets at least 6 feet by 10 feet larger would be better Nylon string Hose and water supply 3 wooden boards 1 inch by 8 inches and 8 feet long optional Adult helper for optional
