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Sacramento, Ca

My question is how many pounds does a pumpkin have to be to support a 200 pound rower-grower? Do you have to put the pumpkin into the lake to see which side is above the water line before cutting a hole in it? Can anyone shed some light on my lack of pumpkin floation.

9/14/2007 12:01:23 AM

Dallas, Oregon

between 600-800 lbs. would be best. if your racing pumpkins anything heavier can work against you. yes, you should put the punk in the water and can get a feel for the way it sits then roughly markout the opening, only make it big enough to get in and out safely. good luck and safe boating.

9/14/2007 2:14:24 AM

Sloughhouse, CA

Elk Grove is having their first regatta. I think I'm going to try it. I have paddles and vest from my kayak. Just don't know if my pumpkin is big enough. I don't want to sink it.

9/14/2007 2:45:41 AM

Halifax, Nova Scotia

I think you could get by with a 450 pounder, but the bigger you get the better chance you'll have of staying dry. Same time, bigger pumpkins are also harder to paddle. As for where to cut, as long as you put some effort into shedding weight from the upper portions of the pumpkin, it's going to float for you. Shave the interior down to a few inches everywhere except for under your butt, leave an extra inch or two there. Unless your pumpkin was completely wonky to begin with you should be fine. If you're looking for any other tips feel free to email me at [email protected]. I've done this a few times, and although never a champion, I've yet to have to swim across.

9/14/2007 8:18:05 AM

Western NY

i'm about 155 pounds and i think I can do best in a boat about 500 pounds. i've been in pumpkins that were 567, 715, and 585 pounds before gutting.

9/14/2007 8:24:00 AM

Massachusettts

I paddled my 396# and I'm no lightweight. Well, kind of a lightweight. I'm pretty much a lightweight. I'm actually very small.

9/14/2007 8:51:14 PM

Westford, MA

I was thinking of strapping a few 100+ to boards and making a "pump-toon" boat. Tsart a new catagory.

9/19/2007 10:17:19 AM

Sacramento, Ca

question? do most of the pumpkin boats get a float test or do you just cut a hole in the top and carve out most of the meat and the heavy bottom stays down below the water line?

9/22/2007 3:00:51 PM