Just like a real steam boat, this six-inch version moves because of expanding steam pushing away from water. Mimicking the real thing further, there's a compact boiler and motor made of copper pipes and even a heat shield. You get things started by lighting a small "lamp" filled with olive oil and watching the steam come out before the boat zips across the bathtub.

The instructions provide the in depth details on the physics and go step-by-step from cutting and building the hull to putting together the boiler. All that's missing is a guide on how to whistle like Mickey Mouse. [Duckworks via Make]

This mini RC boat can travel where larger boats can't—delivering a payload of feed to attract fish and/or deliver a bated hook with a floater up to 950 feet away. It also features an LED light under the stern to attract fish and a sonar fish finder that will send data to the backlit LCD on your remote control. However, if you want to spend more time getting drunk in the boat and less time working for your fish, keep in mind that this RC boat won't come cheap. It will set you back around $726. [Pro Idee via OhGizmo]

For as little as $150,000, you too can own the first-generation of the plug-in, battery-powered equivalent of a 375-horsepower motorboating experience, which uses the auspiciously named Flux Propulsion EVO 8.1 Marine Drive System to recharge itself over a four-hour run via gas motor. In all, it uses just half what a similarly beefed-up powerboat would use to pull skiers and wakeboarders and let's not forget fat, drunk tubers. If you're a bit strapped for cash, wait till 2012, when AutoblogGreen reports there may well be a $70,000 version.

The funny thing is, no matter how smugly green a boat gets, any promotional video of it—shown below—still makes it look like just the thing for some good ole red-state R&R. I should know, having grown up waterskiing on Lake Maxincuckee in Culver, Indiana. Tip to director, though: For an even more successful promo vid, add some bikini-clad blondes, a case of Coors Light, and more life-threatening airborne trick action. [AutoblogGreen via Engadget]

Currently 12,000 to 16,000 2-liter soda bottles are being collected to fill in the twin hulls of their Plastiki vessel. Each bottle with be pressurized using dry ice powder that will sublimate into carbon dioxide gas. If all goes as planned, the vessel will carry four crewmembers on a 11,000 mile journey starting this April from San Francisco to Sydney only to be broken down and recycled at the end of the trip. Apparently, only the masts of the ship are metal, leaving the remaining 90% as recycled material.

Sure it's dangerous, but the design is obviously more professional (and less risky) than the paper bottle boat that his 22-year old predecessor cobbled together with his father. My guess is that it the outcome will be much better this time around. [CNN and Architecture for Humanity]

The boat is made from 100 percent carbon fiber and has an LCD touch-screen control system, leather trimmings and, most importantly, photovoltaic cells on almost all its horizontal services. Czeers is hoping to produce between 4 and 8 boats per year. Pricing is not yet available, but considering that the last version of the MK1 was last shown at the Millionaire Fair, you can probably bet it's super expensive. [Gizmag]

The problem is that all of that new fangled technology will only manage to scrape together a top speed of 5 knots. Therefore, it will take about three months to achieve what a diesel powered boat can achieve in only one. Plus, all of the radios and electrical equipment are solar powered. Sounds pretty dangerous, but this is the same dude that made a solo trip across the Pacific in 1999 on a catamaran made from recycled beer barrels. In other words, he's a rugged dude. [Popsci]

A networked computer on board controls the boat's systems, including the wings, which track the sun and wind and adapt depending on whether it's sunny or windy. If the weather is absolutely atrocious, the upper wings, which are covered with solar panels and act as sails, fold up against the side of the boat. The lower wings help stabilize the boat, and contain a couple of DC motors. When the Volitan docks, these two stabilizer wings tuck away.

DesignNobis, the Turkish company behind the Volitan, claims that there were many factors behind the boat's design. "The objective was to create a new and alternative sailing vessel that would achieve a lightweight system, high sail performance, and all-weather navigation capacity with near zero emissions." [Yanko]

With a beam of just over four feet, the Sentry stands three feet above the waterline, and its remote control uses a PC-based console. On board is a camera for day or night use, microwave data-link communications gear, and a lighting rig that meets international maritime standards, according to Qinetiq.

Suggested missions include harbor patrol, battlefield reconnaissance and damage assessment. Not a swimming pool toy, then. [Crave]

The Navy's requirements, however, are strict. They need to transport either two or three passengers or one driver and 500 pounds of cargo for small crafts, and 16 passengers or three drivers and 3500 pounds of cargo for the deluxe version. The same company that makes the Aquada, Gibbs, has won a contract to test their vehicles with the Defense Department. Whether we'll be seeing (or not seeing, if it's top secret) this on the water and on the beaches is still up in the air.

Half Car, Half Boat May Crack U.S. Military Market [Danger Room]

The bad news is that you'll probably have to have a boat license to drive it. But nobody ever said going 100 mph on the road and 30 mph in the water came easy. Unless, of course, your name is Richard Branson. You'd get a personal escort from the Coast Guard. – Jason Chen

Gibbs Aquada: The First Boatmobile You Can (Almost) Afford [Popular Mechanics]

This cross between a speedboat and what could be Paul LeMat's '32 Ford Coupe is called the Front Runner. In theory, this water speed demon designed by Joey Ruiter is made of aluminum and is powered by twin 225hp motors in the front. Don't know how that will work out, but who cares? Being a concept, it's just cool for the sake of it. There's no more details available, so I have made up my own specs to post them with the extra picture of the front after the jump.

Features

- All body and parts are made of aircraft grade silver and black-colored aluminum, titanium and carbon nano-tubes (except the PVC inflatable beer mini-fridge, which comes in bright orange and pink for easy spotting).

- Navigation system pre-loaded with routes to all Nikki Beach clubs around the world.

- Suntan lotion-proof leather seats guaranteed to depilate your bare back and legs after day at sea.

- According to Wilson Rothman, it could act as psychological hair replacement in case Laser Comb fails. –Jesus Diaz

J RUITER DESIGN STUDIO [NOTCOT]
Designer's page [JRUITER]

The Windsor Craft 36 immediately evokes heartfelt nostalgia for wooden boats of a bygone era, and yet it has all the advantages of being a thoroughly modern boat...hand-crafted in Turkey by old world craftsmen who, with an expert eye, select each mahogany plank.

Didn't count on that one, did you? – Mark Wilson

Product Page [Sam's Club]

Thanks Pavel! We thing this was just spammed to us, but funny nonetheless.

The boat maker already has several models in the works, with the longest reaching 150 feet. While details are slim, we've included the next two boats in the gallery.

–Brian Lam

Fearless and Porsche Designed Yachts [via Yanko]

Remember that video we lnked to a while back with some guys playing with this ridiculously cool dual-propeller hovercraft/plane/thing? The video is gone, but now it's a real product.

The Storm Launcher runs $120 (or three easy payments of $39.95) and comes with a LIPO battery pack and charger, 2 extra propeller blades, 2 prop guards, prop tool and instructional CD. Our guess is that if you get 2 extra propellers in the kit, you will need about 20, but maybe you are a Storm Launcher prodigy and didn't even know it.

Our "tipster" - quotes because the guy wrote like their infomercial, and for his sake we hope he is receiving a paycheck - said that if you didn't want to buy off TV or their website, check out Target and Walmart who should have them on shelves shortly. But those bundles will lack batteries. – Mark Wilson

Product Page Thanks "Chris"!