Fleets of cardboard will set sail across Lake Ellyn this weekend in the village’s yearly competition to build and race — and in many cases sink — allegedly seaworthy vessels.

The 17th annual Great Cardboard Boat Regatta kicks off at noon Saturday, June 27 at the Lake Ellyn Boat House, 645 Lenox Road.

The challenge is to build a person- or wind-powered boat that can make it around a 200-yard course. Entries are built from the flimsiest of materials — corrugated cardboard, tape, glue and perhaps water sealant to stave off sogginess.

Even with the limitations, some teams will spend weeks putting together their boats.

Tracy Swiston’s husband has been working with a team since mid-May building an entry. They will represent the Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn in Saturday’s races.

After design and building phases, where the team incorporated lessons learned from past regattas, they are almost ready for the last stage: decoration.

“There’s a lot of waiting for things to dry, and glue and caulk,” Swiston said. “There were power tools involved this time.”jschuler 6/19/09  how did they do last time?

Teams still can register for the regatta up to the day of the event.

“As long as they’ve built the boat,” said Jeannie Robinson, a Park District recreation supervisor.

The rules in this weekend’s contest have not changed from previous years. Boats are entered in one of four categories.

In the open division, boats must be made entirely of corrugated cardboard and propelled by only paddles and oars. A youth division has the same rules for participants 14 and younger.

Class II boats can be propelled by devices such as paddlewheels, propellers and sails.

Finally, participants in the Instant Boat class will design and build boats the morning of the Regatta using only materials provided by race officials.

In addition to prizes for the fastest times, awards go out for style and flair. The best designed boat, the best dressed team and the most spectacular sinking are honored, among other categories.

Participation costs $50 for Glen Ellyn residents and $72 for nonresidents. Up to 10 groups can enter the Instant Boat class, which costs $30.