One of the most important steps in any DIY project is making sure you
have the right materials — without the right materials, your project is
doomed from the start.
A couple friends wanted to make their own boat modeled after Viking rowboats. That's a pretty cool project, right? There's just one thing...they decided to build it using cardboard. That's right, these guys wanted to make a boat out of cardboard -- that material that wilts and gets all soggy when it gets wet.
Why did they do it? Who knows. It's how they did it that's much more interesting...
(source Reddit)
It must've been sad to see their cardboard boat go. But this is still an awesome example of the amazing things people can do when they put their heads together -- and go hunting for cardboard boxes.
A couple friends wanted to make their own boat modeled after Viking rowboats. That's a pretty cool project, right? There's just one thing...they decided to build it using cardboard. That's right, these guys wanted to make a boat out of cardboard -- that material that wilts and gets all soggy when it gets wet.
Why did they do it? Who knows. It's how they did it that's much more interesting...
This boat wasn't just going to be a couple pieces of cardboard glued together. This would be the real deal.
They had to go around to different supermarkets in their town to get the amount of cardboard they needed for the project.
They started by constructing the keel beam and building ribs that would help make the boat's structure more stable.
As they went along, they continually reinforced the boat with structural supports made from cardboard and tape.
(That doesn't sound like good structural support...)
Once the hull was finished, they installed the deck and the seats.
This was very important because without the proper weight distribution and supports, the boat would sink as soon as they got in.
They added a few more layers of cardboard, tape, and varnish to the hull of the boat.
Then it was judgement day.
They placed their boat in the water. At least it floats. So far so good!
Next, one of them got in the boat, and it stayed afloat!
Another friend got in the boat as well and the boat didn't sink, proving that this truly was a success.
But the ending of this story is bittersweet...
The hull had sustained too much damage to repair, so they decided to give it a true Viking funeral.
It must've been sad to see their cardboard boat go. But this is still an awesome example of the amazing things people can do when they put their heads together -- and go hunting for cardboard boxes.
