Island Escape Boat Design Contest

Your chance to sail to civilization and win $400 worth of boating supplies...

Sponsored by Small Craft Advisor, Glen-L Marine, Chesapeake Light Craft and Duckworks Boat Builders Supply.

The Problem: You just awoke sunburned and coated in sand to discover you’re stranded on a deserted tropical island. Resources on the island are limited, but you know civilization is only 200 miles to the south and you’re convinced if you can find a way to build a reasonably functional small boat you can make it to safety. 

The Solution: Design and build a boat to reach civilization.

Our judges will rate each design submitted on the following criteria: 

• Feasibility

• Resource usage and creativity

• Seaworthiness and expected performance

How will your craft be propelled? Will it handle potentially stormy weather? How will you limit your exposure to the elements during the voyage? Do you have the materials necessary in what you can find on the island? So many questions.

The Prize: Send us the best (as voted on by the judges) small-boat design or sketch and related (up to 1000 words) explanation and storyline, and—if the inevitable fame weren’t enough—win $400 worth of boat gear! That’s right—sketch a survival craft, win $400 worth of gift certificates with our sponsors! 

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Resources: So what exactly is on this deserted island? Here’s the list:

Trees/plants/: (builder/designers should assume an ample amount of living trees/plants plus a limited amount of dead or dry material) 

Coconut

Mangoe 

Guava

Koa

Teak

Seaweed

Aloe Vera

Bamboo

Jute

Giant Cane/ Elephant Grass

Found debris:

Driftwood (40 board feet)

Plastic bottles (20)

Buoyant containers various (6)

Netting (4 yards)

Polypro rope (100 feet)

Assorted metal scraps (20 sq ft / 165 pounds)

Glass bottles (6)

Cans (6)

Shoes (6)

Clothing and misc fabric (50 sq ft)

Fishing floats (3)

Rubber boot (1)

Styrofoam (4 cubic feet)

Pallet (1) (48”)

Car tire (1)

Tarp (80 sq ft)

Rubber duck (1)

Cigarette lighters (4)

Lightbulb (1)

Garfield-themed landline telephone (1)

On your person:

Cotton pants

Shoes with laces

Socks

T-shirt

Eyeglasses

Leatherman multi-tool

Leather belt

Nylon wallet with credit cards

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Special notes:

• Navigation tools or methods are not required considerations.

• Prevailing winds are from the east.

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The Rules:

The contest is free to enter. We welcome submissions from professional designers and amateurs alike. While some credit might be given for the quality of the artwork or drawings (CAD drawings, etc.), judges will weigh the design ideas and stated criteria more heavily than the slickness of the presentation.

All entries should include at least one drawing (profile, etc.) plus text describing design and rationale.

Individuals may submit as many as 2 separate entries.

Submissions are due by Noon Pacific time on February 20th, 2024.

Associated text (up to 1000 words) can be sent via Word file or as part of e-mail text. Images should be sent as separate jpeg/PDF or similar easily-managed file attachments. Resolution only needs to be adequate for website usage.

Entries should be sent to josh@smallcraftadvisor.com with the subject line “Island Escape Boat Design Contest.” You will receive an email confirmation reply within 48 hours. If you don’t, please make contact again.

We will begin sharing selected entries in February and will chose a winner no later than March 15th. The first place winner will receive $400 in gift certificates ($100 each from our sponsor companies.) Three runners-up will receive a Small Craft Advisor hat.

By submitting your design entry you are authorizing SCA and our affiliates to share and publish as we see fit.

As this is the first-time we’ve run this contest, there will likely be questions. Freel free to submit your questions below and we will try to answer.

Now, let’s find a way off this island! Good luck.—Eds.