Self Righting Toy Boat

thingiverse

I designed this toy boat for my Grandchildren, who proved to be tough critics. Kids demand high performance from their toys, but the ones available on the market just didn't cut it. They love playing an extreme version of "Pooh Sticks," where they chuck their boats in local streams and then rush downstream to catch them. The initial results were disastrous: some boats sank immediately, prompting wails of dismay and a rescue mission by yours truly. Others flopped onto their sides, earning begrudging acceptance from the kids. But when the boats went "tits up" (upside down), I faced the harshest criticism yet: disapproving looks and the dreaded phrase, "We're not angry, but we're very disappointed in you, Granddad." The local streams are treacherous, with rocky terrain, white water, and waterfalls. The kids insist that only boats emerging upright and afloat will do at the end of the stream. To overcome these challenges, I designed this toy boat to be round and simple, avoiding snagging hazards. Its fully enclosed design ensures buoyancy, while its 8 layers (0.3mm each) provide ballast on the bottom. Thinner layers require additional solid base layers for stability. Standard settings work best with 15% fill in the upper sections, making them lighter. The cabin and funnel are hollow to facilitate self-righting buoyancy. The standard boat measures about 80mm long but can be scaled up if needed – I've successfully printed one at 120% without issues. I proudly declared these boats unsinkable, but that claim was short-lived: one mysteriously disappeared, only to be discovered in the jaws of their ravenous dog. Let's just say there aren't many things this dog hasn't eaten.