Weedwhacker Boat

1st test run of the weedwhacker boat. It leaked alot and the engine was having a hard time, but we got it to work. Definitely needs some work.

UPDATE: The boat sank a few weeks after this video about 2 miles downstream due to a large load and alot of leaks. As captain of the vessel I stood inside as it sank into the river, while my friends stood on the dry shore and laughed at my misfortune.

Additionally, here are some answers to some common questions/comments:

-why did you use particle board?
While we know particle board is certainly not the best choice for boating materials, it was also the cheapest and lightest material at the hardware store, making it perfect for our budget summer project. Additionally believe it or not the wood worked quite well with the addition of our waterproof sealer, and was a decision I would make again in a heartbeat.

-why couldn't you get the motor started? Are you stupid or something?
Ok lets get a few things straight: First off the engine was a 28CC 2 stroke diaphragm carb engine that had been sitting in a garage WITH gas in the carburetor for at least three years. When we got the engine I had to essentially rebuild the carb because the gas had varnished so badly. Not less than five minutes after I had finished on the engine did we decide to take the boat out. This said I had very little time to adjust high and low speed mixture screws, hence the inability to start the engine before we dock it the first time. YES I do know what a choke and primer are, I have been to state competition for small engine maintenance and repair so suck my fat one.

-What's wrong with the kid with the paddles?
He has alot of problems, please don't be mean to him

-How did you attach the prop?
The propeller was an OEM replacement for a trolling motor. The weedwhacker shaft was threaded at the end so we simply found the right bolt and stuck it through the prop. If you ever attempt this MAKE SURE you use a weedwhacker with a clutch, as one without will simply die once it touches the water.

-Wait a weedeater with a clutch? No way!
Are you illiterate? Yes there most certainly are weedwhackers with centrifugal clutches, and IMO they should all be made this way.

-Do you guys always swear at each other this much?
Yes

-Will you ever make a new one?
We wanted to make one this summer (of 08) but may not have time. Hopefully next summer so keep watching for it

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• weedwhacker
• trimmer
• boat
• dupage
• river
• naperville
• homemade
• trolling
• motor
• propellor
• rowboat
• nvhs
• neuqua
• valley

[fireline6]

how do you know wich propeller to buy?

[1984piazza]

dude.... i hope u never manage to get a job as a boatbuilder.... thats the worst shape u could have possibly made

[MrGeneralfischer]

I give you a C for comedy

An F for everything else.

Nice try though.

[cubaniton74]

You should have made the bottom of the boat just as wide as the top is, if not, then you needed to add about 100 lbs of weight to the bottom of the boat so it would not be so unstable. Nice job anyways.

[hlub82]

looked more like a coffin.

[aorphia]

There goes Gilligan and the Skipper... testing out their get away boat.

[duaneafields]

Exhaust in the face at 9:30 Epic.

[203066111]

You would have been better off training some fish to tow you around the canal. It would have been faster and easier then trying to start that weed eater. Just need some rope and a some collars and less time to train the fish then the time it took you to start the weed eater. You didn't really think the exhaust system through to thoroughly lol great video made me laugh. Thanks :)

[osabear12]

now this is funny

[RugbyDemon6789]

i always wanted to try that out lol , very inspiring ,