The '94 Raft Race

The 1994 raft race entry was composed of a large castle, a large dragon, and a dragon-slaying horse float. All entries were powered by trolling motors; the dragon also had a fog machine aboard for the fire-breathing effect.

The castle float was composed of a 2x4 frame and plywood structure on a set of eight-foot styrofoam flotation blocks. The raft was designed to be broken into small sections for transport and reassembled on the water. The structure included four towers (for the king and his subjects) and a gate for the dragon-slayer to emerge from, as well as a structure in the rear to conceal the generator for the sound system. The float carried about 15 people, all paddling furiously.

The dragon float was built on top of an eight-foot flotation block, with a PVC frame covered with painted foam. The dragon's head and arms were of carved styrofoam. The dragon's head moved up and down, and the wings flapped on command. The dragon's tail contained a generator to power the fog machine and batteries for the trolling motor. The horse was similarly built with a PVC frame covered with foam. Both of the smaller floats had small styrofoam blocks on outriggers to enhance stability.

Large parts of the floats were reused in Britannia Manor '94. The castle was used as the basis for Minos' castle, and the best parts of the dragon formed Charon's boat on the River Styx.

There have been passengers wandering
here.

Credits

Hop back to The Raft Race

Direct questions and comments to Jim Gould (jgould@io.com)