Paper Sailboat Tutorial

 

Start with a sheet of printer, notebook, construction or origami paper. If you are using a rectangular piece, bring any corner to the opposite edge (to form a right triangle) and crease well. Cut strip off and unfold square. Now you are ready to begin the sailboat.

1. Fold paper in half, fold in half again to make a square. Unfold.
2. Bring top left corner and bottom right corner to center.
3. Fold bottom half up.
4. Bring bottom left corner to middle crease. Fold right corner behind to middle crease. (Note: You will be folding the squares in half diagonally, not just the single layer piece) It should look like a downward pointing triangle now.
5. Open the central 'pocket' and press the sides together.
6. Fold one of the top triangles down.
7. Fold the sail back up with 1/4 inch still touching the boat. Tuck the folded part into the boat.
8. Fold bottom inch back to form a stand.
Voila! Done!

And now for me helping you understand the parts of your boat. The smaller sail is called the jib, or genoa, those words can be used interchangeably. The bigger sail is the mainsail. The jib is at the front, or bow of the boat. The back of the boat is called the stern. The body of the boat is called the hull.

Try adding details like a creative name, sail designs, an anchor or even cannons!

Readers: Send me your boat pictures! I'd love to see them!