The Plywood Cup

The Plywood Cup represents 14 corporate teams that come together on the docks in front of the Arts Club theatre, Granville Island. Each team has four members and is given limited resources to build a boat, expected to paddle across to the other side of Granville Island to False Creek Yacht Club and back. Teams are challenged to design a boat in 90 minutes with:

• two large sheets of plywood
• one 8 ft piece of 2x2
• a hammer
• 125 nails
• 30 ft of Duct Tape
• a saw
• a measuring stick
• and a pencil


One of the team members will paddle the team’s uniquely designed vessel across False Creek and then back. The Coast Guard is on hand to retrieve anyone who parts company with their craft; and, alas, there are occasions where a plywood boat has gone down to meet the Titanic. The event draws lots of excitement from spectators, so come on down and cheer on the teams and watch them build their enthusiastic, creative boats.