"University of Rhode Island"
(20th place overall)

Design Paper (22nd):

Presentation (19th):

Rhode Island’s theme revolved around the power of the American spirit.  The presenters were dressed in formal attire and they gave a straightforward businesslike power point presentation. 

RI was the first team to use microphones and, as a result, sounded a bit better than their predecessors.  The presenters used a slightly different format often referring to salient features contained in the slides.  The presentation was clear and concise and the team incorporated a nice watermark into their graphics.

The team was asked to clarify the strength requirements for the "I" beam construction employed.  The judges commented that the team specified the estimated costs and asked what the actual costs were.  

They were asked to clarify some of the steps taken during construction of their boat, how the thickness of the concrete layers were controlled, how the reinforcement thickness was determined, to define the term "residual resistance," and what the main advantages are for curing concrete.

Product (18th):

Name: Rhode Hog
Length: 21.7'
Weight: 140 lb
Color: black and silver

Vital Stats:

The University of Rhode Island, located in Kingston, Rhode Island, was the representative from the New England Region.  This was the team's seventh consecutive appearance at nationals.  Their highest finish to date was eighth in 1998.

Display (25th):

Canoe/Materials/Facts:

RI's canoe had an asymmetrical bow to stern transition and a rounded hull design.  The team incorporated a larger rocker than that used in last year's canoe.