We at Pack 220 will use the Raingutter
Regatta for two purposes: (1) As our one of our summer events to
help us achieve the National Summertime Pack Award and our Council's
(Greater Alabama Council Quality Unit award; and, (2) The event
encourages child/parent involvement through the building of the
boats, and provides a good clean form of competition.
Rules:
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
1. Boats must be made from the BSA
Raingutter Regatta kits. However the materials supplied in the kit
can be modified and added to somewhat. The hull, mast and sail
provided in in the kit must be used, however, they can be modified.
The hull cannot be shortened. Sails cannot be altered, but, they can
be decorated.
2. Boys, 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, they hold the straw in their
mouths with the other hand and get ready to blow on the word "GO"
from the judges.
3. When racing boys are allowed to "upright"
their boats with their hands, but, cannot push the boats forward
when doing so. This will be a big temptation for the boys to do and
it seems they need to be reminded over and over not to do it,
especially the young Tigers. We will give one warning and run the
particular race over if one boy pushes his boat ahead AND that boat
wins. We will have to eliminate a boy from racing if he pushes his
boat on the restart of a race. We don't want to eliminate a boy from
racing.
4. One (1) judge for each gutter, and one (1) over
all judge for the races.
5. Only one (1) award per boy. If a
boy wins a "place" award he cannot win the "Judges Choice"
award.
Building & Design Tips:
1. Stability is the key. Metal keels and plastic rudders are provided
with the kit to help stabilize boats. Other ideas to help in this
area:
(a) Build boat and test it over and over in bathtub
to check for stability. After testing weights can be added to level
the boat as it goes in the water, however, REMEMBER THE MORE WEIGHT
THE SLOWER THE BOAT. It's best to design the boat so it's stable
without having to add weight.
(b) Catarmaran design. This is the most stable
sailboat there is. One can be made easily from the BSA kit by
cutting the hull in half (down the middle from front to back), and
then turning the two halves with the curved side down. Then it just
takes the addition of a little lightweight wood, such as balsa, to
connect the halves and make a mast holder. The catamaran design
doesn't need to utilize the metal keels provided in the BSA kit, and
thus the boat is lighter. It is advisable to use two (2) plastic
keels however to help the boat run straight and true.
(c) Keep hull flat. Do not round the hull into a V
as with a normal boat. The flatter and wider the hull the more
stable the boat will be.
2. Make the boat as light as
possible. Drill out the hull, or remove wood from the "deck" of the
hull.
3. Put sail as low on mast as possible, this promotes
stability.
4. Tie back sail by tying thread to each of the
lower corners of the sail and then securing the "lines" to each side
of the boat (tying to a straight pin and then pushing the pins into
the hulls is an easy way to do this). This will keep the sail from
twisting when being blown on. The sail will stay at a 90 degree
angle to the hull and allow it to "catch" the most air possible
thereby promoting speed.
5. Channeling bottom of boat. Cut
channels under the hull of the boat. Some straight back, some in a V
with the point towards the front of the hull. This will seem to add
somestability and promote speed of the boat. It also lightens the
boat which contributes to speed.
The Event
This year we are introducing a new
event (Raingutter Regatta) for this event, five judges will be
positioned at the end of the raingutter track. Four of the judges
will be incharge of one (1) lane and an overall judge to give
ruling.
Set up for race: (a). Use all four (4) 10' rain
gutters to race in. Each gutter is four (4") inches wide and filled
with water. (b). Divide Pack into four (4) divisions according to
rank: Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos. (c). Do a double
elimination tournament. (d). Provide awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd
place for each rank. Have a "Judges Choice" award. (e). Boats
powered by the boys blowing through straws. The straws will "even"
the playing field so to speak as only so much air can go through a
straw. (f). After the races have been completed. Awards will be
presented to winners.
Decorating Tips:
1. LET THE BOY DO IT !!!
2. An
area to show off your decorations is on the sail. This is an
excellent place for decals and stickers...boys love both. The sail
provided in the BSA kit has a glossy side and a dull side. The dull
side can be lightly spay painted to compliment the color of the
boat. Use caution when painting a sail, too much paint will just
peel and crack when the sail is placed on the mast.
3. Flags:
A small flag can be made with a staight pin mast and attached to the
deck or even on top of the mast. This ia a cool decorating idea. The
American, or your State flag are some ideas...or, just a wild
colored one.
4. Crew: Small figures such as "Mighty Max"
tm(Mattel Toys) make excellent decorating ideas and can be glued to
the deck of the boat.
