HERNANDO BEACH — When a group of yachtsmen announced in 2013 that they were having a cardboard boat race, a lot of people conjured up images of little toy boats.

"No, this is boats you sit in," said Jackie Farmer, the event's organizer for the Hernando Beach Safe Boating Support Group.

Farmer might have added, as evidenced in the inaugural production, boats that tip, boats that navigate in circles and boats that disintegrate around their sailors.

The second annual day of marine shenanigans is expected to draw a crowd of hundreds Saturday at the Hernando Beach Marina on Snapper Channel, as well as to the adjacent Hernando Beach Yacht Club, at 4163 Shoal Line Blvd., where a Seafood Fest will take place.

At least a dozen competing boats, constructed with corrugated cardboard, a lot of glue, duct tape and unbridled imagination, will be set up for land display at 10 a.m. Official races will launch from noon to 3 p.m.

Based on last year's happenings, Farmer suspects that some of the surviving boats likely will hold their own grudge races in an unofficial aftermath.

Entries are open to the public. Each boat must carry at least one sailor — "or as many as you want," said Farmer, noting that there was a crew of 14 on one of last year's entries.

Two-part glues and Flexseal are not allowed in the boats' construction.

"They're too good," Farmer said of the sealants. "We want some (boats) to sink."

The vessels, paired for racing according to their size, will attempt a round-trip course of about 100 yards around buoys.

Given that the sponsor is a safe boating group out of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Marine Safety Patrol will be on hand, along with a pontoon boat, to pick up any overboard sailors. A group of kayakers and divers will be ready to gather any debris from sinking boats.

More than speed will win honors. The Titanic Award will go to the best unintentional sinking. The best design and best-engineered entries also will be recognized.

"More awards are to come," Farmer said, once entries arrive and the organizers determine which might be prize worthy.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary will put on display — not for competition because its members are sponsors — two boats entered last year, one a Coastie replica that is used in the auxiliary's boating education classes.

The Coasties have been working for a month on this year's replica cutter, the product meticulously designed by Bill Ferreria, a retired manufacturing engineer.

"It wouldn't do for a Coast Guard entry to sink," Ferreria said, pointing out four-ply furniture-box construction and duct taping, plus painting that he guaranteed would waterproof the vessel.

Throughout the day, there will be about a dozen vendors "of all things nautical-ish," Farmer said. Yacht club members will hand out coupons for dining and beverages at the club and for the Seafood Fest.

Every restaurant in Hernando Beach is expected to set up tables with their own fare for the Seafood Fest, chairman and club commodore Aaron Nangle said.

"It's a variety. Nobody will be doing the same thing," he said.

Each restaurant will have its own basket or plate combo meal for less than $10.

Food vendors will be under a roof. Seating for 100 is available in the club's lounge.

Bleacher seating for about 120 will be set up along the race channel. Visitors are invited to bring lawn chairs.

Parking will be available at the Coast Guard building, at 4340 Calienta St., within walking distance. A shuttle bus also will be provided.

Contact Beth Gray at graybethn@earthlink.net.