VIDEO: Getting wet was on the cards as boxes were used for boats

AMATEUR boat-builders thought outside the box to create ships made of cardboard.

Six teams competed in the Cardboard Boat Race at the Mayflower Sailing Club on the Barbican.

Eventual winners Tom Ankrom and Orin Wilson on the move, above, and left, with their trophy
GOING...Reid and older brother Quinn Jones set sail
GOING....Reid and Quinn struggle to stay afloat
GONE...Quinn laughs as Reid topples into the drink

Budding engineers had under four hours to design and build a vessel that could take two brave teammates along a 250m course in the fastest time.

The somewhat soggy regatta aimed to promote careers in engineering.

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Adam Stables, with co-organisers the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Devon and Cornwall Young Members Panel, said: "It was great fun and all the teams enjoyed it, even the ones who sank.

"Three stayed afloat and could have been used again. So we proved you can make a boat out of cardboard.

"The race aims to encourage young people to pursue careers in engineering. The UK is facing an engineering skills shortage as young people turn away from the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM)."

The teams of up to four people included university students, families and Babcock employees.

They were provided with materials and tools including cardboard sheets, tubes, duct tape and quick-dry varnish.

Winners of the under 18s race were Sam and Becky Walker from their team The Next Generation.

The over 18s trophy went to Orin Wilson and Thomas Ankrom of 'By Jove Glug Glug' in their canoe-style boat.

Quinn and Reid Jones, of team Jones' Junk, scooped the prize for best design with their sailing ship complete with prow and cannon.

Mr Stables said the competition was also staged in 2010.

He said organisers plan to make it an annual event and attract more teams to take part.

Hosted by the Plymouth and Devon Schools Sailing Association (PDSSA), the event on Saturday was sponsored by Babcock.

It was run by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (RINA) and the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST).