RULES
Using at least one bicycle and no more than a $200 budget,
build a human-powered boat under 150lbs that can go out, turn around and
come back. The one that does so in the shortest amount of time wins.

What is This?
The pedal powered boat race was thought up over the 2002 Christmas holidays by the Carambat family who are based mostly out of Covington, Louisiana. The 2003 race was a huge success and the race got alot of publicity from both newspapers and television.

Click here for the 2003 Race Page

This year, we have opened the race for public participation and hope to see a great turnout. We are also being heralded as an official event of the annual Northshore Seafood Festival and are sure to have a large crowd watching and laughing at us this year :)

Where and When Does this Take Place?
The 2004 competition will take place on July 4th, 2004 at 11AM.
We will be racing in the same location as last year on Lake Ponchatrain, on the Northshore in Mandeville, Louisiana near the annual Northshore Seafood Festival.

Can I Participate?
Although there still isn't any prize for winning, you are welcome to compete! It's still mostly the Carambats racing again this year, but we'd love the extra competition. if you have questions or wish to promote this event in some way you can email us at: info@pedalboatrace.com


Here are the current 2004 competitors:
Click thumbnails to enlarge
The Sea Chopper
Built by Mike Carambat Sr., of Covington, LA. This mostly wooden pontoon boat uses two small, very light and highly streamlined pontoons. A very difficult process of fabrication had to be mastered before the pontoons could be completed. Propulsion is via a prop driven by a very nice right angle drive attached to two removeable pedal arms from a ten-speed. Steering is via a rudder in the back. It's pretty darn quick and a boat to watch!

Wave Wacker Resurrected
Built by Mike Carambat Sr, of Covington, LA. (3rd Place winner 2003) Mike resurrected his old wave wacker from last year. It hadda flex cable weed wacker drive that allowed the prop to turn (like an outboard) for close turns. Worked OK when cruising, but when you really pedaled hardæthe flex cable would bind up. It's now been replaced by his new BIKE SEAT POST TWISTED CHAIN DRIVE unit. Look out guyz!! It iz gonna be fast too! Just hope it all holds together long enough to finish the race.

Chain Lightning Revisited
Built by Mike Carambat, Sr. and Chase, of Covington, LA. This styrofoam and wooden pontoon boat is light, small and designed for a smaller operator and was originally designed for last year's race. It's propulsion has been changed from a paddle wheeler to a direct sprocket drive using a really cool twisted chain drive to a large prop beneath. This is the simplest method of prop-based propulsion we've ever seen. Steering is via a rudder between the pontoons in the back.

The Dog Paddle
Built by John Noel Carambat, of Covington, LA. (2nd Place winner 2003) This was a small, blue pontoon boat made entirely out of wood built for last year's race. It has been taken out of dry dock by TJ and repaired, fine tuned and painted a howling bright orange. He should be hard to miss. It uses two custom made oars which are directly attached via a clever mechanism to the pedals. The oars dip in and out of the water much like they would in a regular boat, except much more efficiently. Steering is via two small rudders mounted behind each pontoon. It will be driven by Ms. Eva this year.

The Long John
Built by John Noel Carambat, of Covington, LA. This is larger version of the highly successful Dog Paddle boat from last year. It's a pontoon boat made entirely out of wood. The version uses FOUR custom made oars (not pictured yet) which are directly attached to the pedals. This version attempts to double what last year's Dog Paddle was capable of. Steering is via two small rudders mounted behind each pontoon

The PeevySea
Built by Mike Carambat, Jr., of Prairieville, LA. (1st Place winner 2003) To meet the new 150lb limit this year, a new boat had to be designed from the ground up. It uses PVC (ie: the name PeevySea heh, heh) pipes for flotation and four direct driven oars for propulsion. Steering is via a rear rudder and automatic lifting of the corresponding right or left side oars when turning. When running it looks like a cross between Mad Max and a Viking warship. Apparently, it runs faster and steers better going backwards! A mirror will be divised so the pilot can see which way he's going as he paddles backwards across the finish line!

The Bloated Minnow Pacecar
As this boat is a store-bought, it's not really eligible to race, but it'll make a nifty pacecar to run ahead (or behind) of the contestants. It's Ms. Amanda's (not pictured) pedal boat that she uses in the pool, but I'm sure she'll be happy to share it with some luckly little boy or girl to drive at racetime.

The Middle Child
Built by Mickie & Liz, of Covington, LA. This boat uses two pontoons "containers" which hold inside lots of sealed 2 liter coke bottles for flotation! It uses an excercise bike and frame which drives a paddlewheel in the rear. The paddlewheel uses cut PVC pipe for it's paddles and a splash guard is in place to keep you dry. Steering is via a rudder between the pontoons in the back.

John & Sammy's Boat
Built by John Patrick Carambat, and Sammy Carambat, of Covington, LA. This boat was built for last year's race and never made it to the water. This year it's gonna race! It has styrofoam pontoons and uses a large, above the water-line FAN for main propulsion, thus making it an airboat. In addition, two smaller props exist below the waterline in the front of the boat for additional propulsion and steering via a flexible roto-rooter cable. When the operator pedals forward the main fan drive is engaged for propulsion. When pedaling backwards the main drive disengages and the two props in the front kick on. Really cool!

Randy's Boat
Built by Randy and B.J., of New Orleans, LA. This is a new entry for this year! This boat has been all very hush hush and these are the first photos available to the public :) This unique boat uses a reciprocating fish tail for propulsion! The fish tail is directly driven via the pedals. Steering is by a front rudder. This boat also uses PVC pontoons in a chevron raft-like configuration. This is gonna be one fun looking boat to watch!


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