In this project, we will learn how to make a simple electric paddlewheel boat using basic techniques. This project is great for a maker space or mechanical engineering challenge at school, library, or home.
Once you learn the basics, you can experiment with different body styles and designs to make your boat go faster. You can also set up a competition between friends to see who can build the fastest propeller boat. Make STEAM education fun!
Materials Needed
The good thing about this project is that you can get most of your “boat” parts from the trash. You can use recycle bottles, ice cream sticks, and many trash items to create the body of your paddle boat. Get creative!
For this project, you will also need the following materials:
- Bottle caps
- DC gear motor
- Battery
- Switch
- Therma cool sheet
- Battery connecter
- Tongue depressors
- Kabab sticks
- Required tools:
- Glue gun
- Soldering iron
- Knife cutter
- White glue
- Step 1: Boat BodyFirst, you have to cut down the therma cool according to the given dimension as given below
Step 2: Make base of the Body
Take the tongue depressors and paste on the upper side of the therma cool by the help of white glue. Make sure the stick covers the full part of the therma cool sheet
Step 3: Remove extra part
Cut the extra part of the sticks
Attach more stick with the help of glue gun to make strong base
Step 4: Attach battey and Motor
Now attach the motor on the backward side of the boat
Then attach the battery on the center of the boat
Step 5: Wiring
Attach the switch, battery and motor in series connection
Step 6: Paddle Making
Cut the fins from ice cream sticks with the length of 1inch
Make eight cuts in the bottle cap for joining the fins in it. Make sure the distance of cuts are of same length
Fill the bottle cap with glue
Paste all the fins inside the bottle cap
Make one more paddle like this
Step 7: Mount the Paddle
Now attach both paddle with the base of the boat
Step 8: Testing
Now your paddle powerboat is ready to test it in the water
Note: Material of this project like gear motor and the wheel can get from PSC inventor box
