WHAT IT IS:

The Raingutter Regatta is similar to the Pinewood Derby or the  Space 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 6  inches long, the race is a very exciting event. Each boy builds his own boat  with supervision and help from parents or other family members. He also  provides the wind for the sail with his own lung power.

The regatta boat kit, distributed by each den, has a  pre-shaped balsa hull, metal keel and plastic sail. The hulls are sanded and shaped, and  are colorfully painted. Hull and sail are then decorated however the scout likes. The boats race in pairs on raingutter  courses propelled by the boys blowing into the sails through a bent straw. The races can also be run  as a team relay event.

RAINGUTTER REGATTA BOAT SPECIFICATIONS:

• Hull: No longer than 7" or shorter than 6 1/2"
• Mast: 6 1/2" from deck to top
• Keel: Supplied in kit
• Rudder: Supplied in kit
• Sail: Supplied in kit
• YOU MUST USE EVERY PIECE IN THE KIT ON THE BOAT!!!

SCHEDULE:

Each Den will compete at their individual Den Meeting to determine their three fastest competitors.  Those placing 1st will represent the Den at the Pack Meeting.  The  race will involve two lanes of "rain gutters". The boys are to blow air on the boats through a bent straw 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. In addition, boys should not use their faces, lips, hats, nose or other  bodily parts to move the boat - just the air in their lungs!

HINTS:

• The best "sailing" boat is a raw un-finished boat with the  mast and sail stuck on! It does not look pretty, but ...
• For the reason above, try to incorporate a design category or  weighting into the judging categories.
• Try to keep the bottom as flat as possible; that is as close  to the original flat bottom as possible.
• Have a waiting deck: Try bringing a small plastic pool or  sandbox to fill with water that is called the "marina" where the boys can test their boats.
• It is not how hard you blow but how straight you blow that  makes the difference.
• More keel(s) or a more heavily weighted single keel is needed  for top heavy boat; such as if you were to put some form of cabin on the  deck!
• The bottom edge of the sail needed to be about 1/2 inch above  the deck of the boat. If the sail was too low the corners rubbed against the  gutter or dipped in the water. If the sail was too high the boat was top heavy and tended to tip over.
• The boats sailed best if they were balanced with more weight  to the rear. This elevated the bow of the boat, and when they were blown, they  ran almost even.
• The keels needed to be placed about 3/4 of an inch behind the  mast. Don't follow the instructions in the kit.
• The rudder should be placed touching the keel.
• Blow evenly with the straw at a point about 1 inch from the  bottom of the sail. Blowing the boat down one edge of the gutter rather than  letting it "tack" back and forth seemed to be the fastest.
• Use "Krylon" spray paint -- it dries in about one minute on  the balsa wood hulls.
• Try to learn how to make double elimination brackets for odd  numbers of boats before the race.
   

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Randolph Enterprises