Fab Lab Tulsa Paddle Boat

Fab Lab Tulsa (https://fablabtulsa.org) asked me to a design a paddle boat for their "Boat Moat" challenge during Maker Faire, Tulsa on August 25, 2018 and I again gladly accepted the challenge! Fab Lab Tulsa Paddle Boat is the result of my efforts, and as a side benefit makes a good pool toy for the grandkids!

A video of Fab Lab Tulsa Paddle Boat in action is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUHB0MEzznI.

Fab Lab Tulsa Paddle Boat fits easily inside the maximum allowed dimensions of 8 by 5 inches of the Boat Moat challenge, and as required is powered by rubber bands. The boat weighs in at a 36 grams (1.2 ounces), and as seen in the video can run distances of 15 feet or more.

As usual, I probably forgot a file or two or who knows what else, so if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask as I do make mistakes in plenty.

Designed using Autodesk Fusion 360, sliced using Cura 3.2.1, and printed in PLA on both an Ultimaker 2+ Extended and an Ultimaker 3 Extended.

You will need to small rubber bands to power Fab Lab Tulsa Paddle Boat.

I printed all parts at .15 mm layer height with no supports. Depending on your printer, you may need a brim to hold the hull securely to the build plate during printing to avoid warping. I printed "Post.stl" with 100% infill, and the remaining parts with 20% infill.

I've included two hulls, "Hull .8mm.stl" and "Hull 1mm.stl". The .8mm hull will be slightly lighter than the 1mm, but is more difficult to print.

With all parts printed, press the two "Post.stl" into holes in the top of the hull. Pull or push the two rubber bands through the axle hole in "Paddle.stl", one on each side of the divider. As can be seen in the photo, I made a rubber band puller from a paper clip to hook onto the rubber band then pull it through the hole. Once the rubber bands are inserted, slide the ends of the rubber bands over the posts in the hull.

That's how I printed and assembled Fab Lab Tulsa Paddle Boat.

Hope you like it!