One Sheet Boats

The students in the Masconomet Regional High School advanced Wood Tech class had a real hands-on challenge. They created a boat, large enough to hold a person, out of one sheet of plywood in less than two months. To make it an even more interesting challenge, their teacher Ralph. Arabian has arranged for them to race their boats on a local pond.

The crafts are officially known as one-sheet boats because they are composed of one standard 4-foot-by-8-foot sheet of plywood. 

"It is a real educational challenge," explain Arabian. "To make the boat, these kids must apply mathematic and design theory along with concepts like displacement and buoyancy to their project. It is important for them so see how concepts like math, are used in such practical real world applications."

During a visit to the woodshop class, power saws hummed and drill screeched.  Working in teams, the students gleefully debated their ideas, measured, measured again, cut and assembled their boats with great care.

"Yeah, it is fun, but it is definitely harder than it looks," exclaimed one student displaying a big smile.

"Of course it is fun" agreed his partner, with a drill in hand.

"I really am looking forward to racing," immediately added a junior. "It is going to be a lot of fun!"

Arabian, a self-proclaimed "safety nut", explained that a great deal of planning has gone into the building and racing process.

"I have worked with the school administration, police, fire and town officials to make the racing event a safe learning experience. We will test the boats in the shallow water first to make sure there are no leaks," he said. "Safety officials, including a rescue boat, will be on-hand during the event."

The students have also learned frugality while constructing their boats. To make their boats water tight, they are learning to use a mixture of saw dust and water proof glue as a wood putty to seal the seams.

Students need to sand and paint their boats in preparation for the race. To give the boats personality, the students will be able to choose their own paint color.

"It has been a great project and I am thankful to the generosity of local lumber retailers for their generous donations," concluded Arabian. "The students are enjoyed the project, and learned a lot at the same time."

On the morning of the race, the air was filled with excitement and trepidation as students put their crafts in the water for the first time.  To everyone's relief all the boat floated.  After that it was all fun, games and leaning as the teams raced their boats while leaning a great deal about ballast, balance and resistance. 

Along the shore, parents and teachers cheered, while safety officials kept a close eye on all crafts and students.