How to build a cardboard kayak for less than 40$ (Updated with template)

Step 11 ENJOY YOUR ONE OF A KIND CARDBOARD KAYAK!!!!

If your like me, and used white vinyl to waterproof, go nuts and decorate it. Also the nice part about making it all out of cardboard, is that it is super light weight. I could lift it with only one hand. The drawback to the vinyl was that it was kinda hard to cary, as the surface was so slippery, but that could easily be fixed with a couple handles. My kayak design had a shallow, or flatter hull, which made it much more agile and maneuverable, but it also meant that a slight breeze will blow me sideways. A sharper hull design, would act more like a centerboard, and help to give kayak stability. Change it up, go nuts, deign your own! They're super cheap and relatively easy to build.

The kayak weighs only 35lbs. I measured by standing on a scale, then holding the kayak, and then subtracting my weight, so it may be off by a few pounds, but it is still super light.

Comments

[thbigbro]

Nice instructable, i wish i had found it when i was making my card board boat. there's only two things i didn't see anyoe post (i didn't read every comment) i know that killz will work to waterproof the boat. and in the intro slide you mentioned that you spent a lot of time looking for pristine cardboard, going to any large store (i went to wal-mart) and asking works. They'll give it to you free, and they'll save some for you if they don't have any.

[jjmcjared]

how much does it weigh

[msd8]

35lbs

[jjmcjared]

thanks

[cgrant]

I wonder if wrapping the laminates in a sealed plastic bag and use a vacuum pump to evacuate the air would create the overall pressure needed to laminate properly. Any thoughts?

[msd8]

that would work, you might need like a shop vac, or another higher powered vacuum pump of some sort, in order to get enough pressure. You would also need a bag with a 6ft opening that could then be sealed air tight... which might be difficult....

[pacowarabi]

I'm impressed, too. Easy to follow, and a worthwhile project. Your instructions could easily be adapted to other applications as well! Thanks.

[msd8]

Thanks. Yeah when i sit and think about all the other things you could make using similar techniques, it blows my mind.

[pacowarabi]

I'm thinking that your technique would be great for something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHTmEjuxGs

[msd8]

yeah, that would be a perfect application, good find.

[bertzie]

Build 2 and make a catamaran!

[Robocop]

This is the best instructable I have ever seen. Very well made - and a really cool project!

[msd8]

Why thank you very much robocop!