Join us in 2013 for the 5th Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float!

Saturday, September 7, 2013
Boat Launch at 10 am
Lower Edgewater State Park Beach (map)
6700 Memorial Shoreway
Cleveland, Ohio 44102

Photos from the 4th Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float

Build and float your plastic boat in Lake Erie!

Winners will be recognized in four categories:

- Fastest Boat
- Best Use of Recyclable Materials
- Most Artistic Style
- Li'l Sailors

All boats will have the option of being recycled by RES Polyflow using their alternative energy process.

RES Polyflow designs, markets and manufactures renewable energy systems that recycle mixed plastic waste into fuel.

Looking for Ideas for your Boat?

In 2003, Marcus Eriksen, founder of The 5 Gyres Institute, sailed the Mississippi River on a plastic raft called Bottle Rocket. In 2008, Marcus sailed across the Pacific Ocean on a raft made of 15,000 plastic bottles, called JUNK. And in 2009, he sailed in Lake Erie on The Cola-hoga. Watch some of Marcus' videos for ideas on how to make a plastic boat.

View photo albums of past boats for more ideas: 2009 2010 2011 2012

Corporate Boat Float

The 2nd annual Corporate Boat Float will be held during the 2013 Burning River Fest on July 26-27 at the Old Coast Guard Station on Whiskey Island. For more information visit Burning River Fest.

You Can Make a Difference:
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Beach Cleanup

Recent reports tell of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch located in the Pacific Ocean, but we don't have to go to the ocean to see the impact of plastic on our environment. Trash on the beach originates from your own front yard and travels down the storm drains when it rains eventually to end up on the beach or the waterways. You can make a difference by picking up the trash in your own front yard! Watch this fun video!

Come watch the boats float on September 7, and bring along a garbage bag to pick up plastic trash along the beach.

This year the Cuyahoga County Board of Health is coordinating the Boat Float's beach cleanup.

Four reasons why the Cuyahoga County Board of Health promotes the idea of clean beaches:

Health Concerns
County residents should have access to clean and healthy beaches for the purposes of walking, swimming, picnicking and relaxation. The presence of trash creates hazards which may result in needless injury, stress, and healthcare expenses.

Conservation
Human neglect can cause degradation of the shoreline, water quality, wildlife and natural beauty that Lake Erie offers. It is essential that we properly sustain our environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

Preservation of Wildlife
Man made debris negatively impacts the various forms of wildlife found on our beaches. Marine animals and birds can mistake rubbish for food and may die or suffer permanent damage from consuming plastic bags, fireworks debris, cigarette butts and other items left behind by beach visitors.

Local Economy
Our beaches are valuable natural resources which annually generate more than $3 billion in tourism revenue. These dollars are vital to the health of our local and regional economies.

Photo credit: Nancy Hughes

Registration Information

Registration is required for all participants floating their boat in the Fourth Annual Great Lake Erie Boat Float. There is no registration fee but all participants must sign a liability waiver and will be required to wear a life jacket while in the water.

Registration Form
L'il Sailors Registration Form

The Li'l Sailors category is for children 12 years of age and younger who would like to build a small boat out of post-consumer recyclable materials. All Li'l Sailors boats will be displayed on the beach before the start of the Boat Float. The winner of the Li'l Sailors category will be determined by a judge and prizes will be awarded in this category at the conclusion of the Boat Float. Li'l Sailors' are encouraged to fill out a registration form by August 30 to be considered for a prize.

Registration Deadline: Saturday, August 30, 2013

For more information, contact Cathi Lehn by email at: clehn@cmnh.org.

Launch site and course

Saturday, September 7, 2013
Lower Edgewater State Park Beach
6700 Memorial Shoreway
Cleveland, Ohio 44102

Boat Launch will be at 10 am from the Lower Edgewater State Park Beach. Spectators welcome!

Transportation to and from Launch Site

All participants will be responsible for the delivery and removal of their boats and all components of their boat to and from the Park.

Recycling or Re-use of Materials

It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure that their boat is composed entirely of post-consumer materials and that all materials are transported from the Park and disposed of in a responsible manner at the conclusion of the Boat Float.

Sponsors