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How to Have a Regatta

 

The Raingutter Regatta is similar to the pinewood Derby except that the models are miniature sail boats. Although the seas are only 10-foot lengths of raingutter filled with water, and the ships a mere 7 inches long, the race is a very exciting event. Each Scout builds their own boat (with supervision and help from parents and leaders), and provides the wind for the sail via lung power! The regatta kits have a pre-shaped balsa hull, metal keel and plastic sail. The hulls are sanded and shaped, and can be painted - decal kits (from the Scout SHop or from a model kit) can also be used to decorate teh hull or sail.

 

The actually "race" is run along multiple gutter lengths, and is divided into rank categories: Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelos, Wee, and She. Each group races amongst themselves. Racers blow air on the boats in order to advance them through the water. Hands are only to be used to upright a turned over ship, and are not to be used to advance the boat. Scouts should not use their faces, lips, hats, nose or other bodily parts to move the boat - just the air in their lungs!

 

When called to race, place boat in gutter and place one hand in front of their sail holding the boat back against the end of the gutter. Scouts should hold their straw in their mouths with the other hand and get ready to blow on the word "GO" from the judges.

 

Each boat races 3 times, once in each gutter, and gets points for 1st, 2nd, 3rd place (3/2/1). The top 3 scorers from each level run through finals against other levels.

 

   

 

              

 

Boat Specifications:

 

  • Boats must be made from the BSA Raingutter Regatta kits; however, the materials supplied in the kit can be modified and added (somewhat)
  • Hull: No longer than 7" or shorter than 6 1/2"
  •  
    Mast: 6 1/2" from deck to top
  • Keel: Supplied in kit; must be glued in place
    • Advanced: The keels needed to be placed about 3/4 of an inch behind the mast - don't follow the instructions in the kit!
  • Rudder: Supplied in kit; must be glued in place
    • Advanced: The rudder should be placed touching the keel!
  • Sail: Supplied in kit
    • Advanced: Apply decals to the sail from the Scout Shop or model kitsThe rudder should be placed touching the keel!
  • USE ONLY SANDPAPER IN SHAPING YOUR CRAFT!

 

 

 

Hints:

 

  • The best "sailing" boat is a raw un-finished boat with the mast and sail stuck on! Doesn't look pretty, but like the wind it goes!
  •  
    Keep the bottom as flat as possible - or cut a groove in the center of the boat's bottom. 
  • Wind is the key:
    • It is not how hard you blow but how straight you blow that makes the differenc
    • Blow evenly with the straw at a point about 1 inch from the bottom of the sail
    • Blow the boat down one edge of the gutter rather than letting it "tack" back and forth 
  • The bottom edge of the sail needs to be 1/2 inch above the deck of the boat
    • Too low, the corners dip into the water
    • Too high, the boat tips over!
  • The boat sails best when balanced with more weight to the rear - it elevates the bow of the boat.
  • The rudder should be placed touching the keel
  • Use "Krylon" spray paint - it dries in about one minute on the balsa wood hulls.