Amateur Boat Builders Race In 'Anything That Floats' Regatta

KEY LARGO (Florida Keys News Bureau) - Hundreds of spectators hooped and hollered as amateur boat builders paddled and sculled their self-made racing crafts to the finish line during this weekend's annual "Anything that Floats" regatta race in the Florida Keys.

Teammates from Florida as well as Virginia, Nevada, Michigan, Ohio, Illinois and Pennsylvania brought self-propelled watercraft they built using common, yet unsinkable household items. Then they raced them on a course opposite Sundowners Restaurant.

Competitors in the Anything That Floats Race, propel their Flight From Hell entry Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Key Largo, Fla. This watercraft was created from strapped-together, metal military cases tied together with rope. The offbeat event in the Florida Keys challenged entrants to race in whatever they could find or build that provided buoyancy. (Bob Care/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

And eight-person team crafted its entry from metal military cargo cases, lashed together with web straps and rope to create "Flight From Hell." It won the award for the Best Unlimited Boat.

Garnering Most Creative was "Coke Float," crafted by George and Kristyn Silver, who used Saran wrap to enclose 99, 2-litre plastic soft drink bottles in the shape of a boat. They completed the entry with themselves completely encapsulated in bright red body suits.

Kristyn, left, and George Silver paddle their Coke Float watercraft in the Anything That Floats Race Saturday, Aug. 16, 201, in Key Largo, Fla. The couple created their entry from 99, 2-liter soft drink bottles held together with plastic wrap. The offbeat event in the Florida Keys challenged entrants to race in whatever they could find or build that provided buoyancy. (Bob Care/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO)

Mary Walker and Matt Hetman created "Wilson's Revenge" as a tribute to the Tom Hanks' movie "Castaway." Among materials used, FedEx boxes, a palm tree and a volleyball.

The Florida Keys News Bureau contributed to this report.