For more information and ideas on past presentations and reports, also visit: www.ConcreteCanoe.org
Concrete Canoe Team
Since the 1970’s, The University of Maine has been building and racing concrete canoes. The basic idea was to start with some kind of reinforcement, mold it into the shape of a canoe, place concrete over it, let the concrete cure, remove the mold, and if we’re lucky, the result is a canoe that floats! In the beginning, the canoes weighed over 500 pounds and were raced at the Kenduskeag Stream Canoe Race in Bangor. In 1974, UMaine held the first annual Whitewater Concrete Canoe Race. Eighteen schools participated, making the competition the third largest in the world!
Over the past four decades the race has become a national event sponsored by ASCE and Master Builders with rules and regulations. The canoes have become lighter and faster, and are raced on lake water. Competitive canoes can weigh less than 150 pounds and can be over 18 feet long! The competition involves men, women, and co-ed races (200 meter and 600 meter), a design report, a visual display, and an oral presentation.
Each year, the University of Maine team continues to improve its technology and applications to become more competitive on the national level. Our canoe is made with a light weight concrete mix, composite reinforcement, and the fabrication involves a foam core that is later removed.
For more information or if you want to get involved, please contact the captains below.
Contact
Hanna.cronin@maine.edu
Resources
