Human Powered Sled - Boat-o-Sled

by woodenProjects

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Intro: Human Powered Sled - Boat-o-Sled

I've made something which has no name. It could be called boato-o-sled because it allows to drive a sled powered by human by rowing like rowing a boat.
The project is really easy and very fast in built. It took me.. I don't know something like 1 hour to built and film all together.

Why to built something like it ? 1. for fun 2. for fun :) 3. to make Your wife said: 'what a stupid idea' ;-) 4. to go on sled without anyone 5. to use sled as a boat - e.g. as a gym activity

STEP 1: Sled

You need old sled for he project. It could be both - metal or wooden - it doesn't meter. What is important the sled need to have wide enough construction which allow to drill them.

STEP 2: Arms,holders,pushers

You need few pieces of wood to make arms, hand holders and hm.. pushers for the rear.
The dimensions depends on the sled You will use, but in my case it was:

2 pieces for hand holders - 60cm

2 pieces for the rear pushers - 90 cm (the longest)

2 pieces for the rear pusher pushers - 80 cm, althoguh later i shortened them to 50 cm

2 pieces for connecting rear pusher pushers with the hand holders - 30 cm

Note: The rear pushers (those which push the sled from the road) cann not by mounted to high from the bottom of the sled. If the pivot will be too high, You won't move, but You will push up Your sled with You on them).

STEP 3: Connections

In fact connecting the wooden parts are real easy. Just drill a holes for junctions and put the screws there and that's all.


Note: I make the wood which will move near the ground a little bit rounder than rectangular by cutting the edges with the hand saw.

STEP 4: Improvements & the End

I added the iron rods at the end of the pushers, to have a better grip. I recommend that.
I think that my construction is just basic idea which could be improved a lot e.g. I think that the angles could be better.

And that's all. Now Your kid (or even You) can row his own sled :)

18 Comments

deltafour 2 years ago

Is that sled made from round conduit? Always wondered if round pipe made a fast sled and easy to go through snow?

cool_dude676 3 years ago

That's awesome. I wonder how fast it can go.

IdeasDispenser 3 years ago

That looks good, and I also have a ramp on my street. It would work well if I had the supplies etc.

clark5113 3 years ago

Well, that is certainly novel.

ttbennett11 3 years ago

Should market that as a winter outdoor trainer for rowers.

Dannlh 3 years ago

Looks like the kids have fun! Nice project!

Now ask them how they can use a motor driving a wheel to do the rowing for them! (Hint put a peg on the wheel and attach it to the arm) good way to get them thinking about how to turn circular motion into linear motion.

woodenProjects 3 years ago

Hm.. adding motor isn't the good idea. My wife will not only say it's stupid but also dangerous ;-)

bmohr 3 years ago

I think this is ingenious. Good way for kids to get exercise too! On a personal note I like that you do projects to benefit and amuse your children.

cjraabe 3 years ago

I want one. But it look a little awkward for my not-so-coordinated body, so I'm hoping someone will take you up on improvements. Anyway, your wife is wrong!

24Hz 3 years ago

This is by far the funniest instructable I have seen in years!!! :D :D :D

Aarav G 3 years ago

Wish someone gifted that to me! 😆

woodenProjects 3 years ago

be careful what YOu wish ;-) it's a exausting excersise to row a boat... I mean row a sled ;-)

jessyratfink 3 years ago

Oh that is fantastic! It looks so weird and so fun. :D