I made a Trebuchet (often called a "siege machine" years back, used it to launch rocks out into the lake at my summer place. Many smiles per hour!!

The big advantage over a true catapult is that a trebuchet uses gravity against a lever, not stored kinetic energy. In plain language, little chance of something bad happening.

I've got an Excel spreadsheet I made up that scales everything for you based on some inputs, how big, how much weight you want to launch, etc., etc.

In my case the ballast was easy, poly water drums filled with water. Empty to move lever to firing position, pump them full to fire.

It would send a rock bigger than a basketball 300-500' out into the lake.

Best of luck.

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