Grimes BSA
  1. Home
  2. Pack Activities
  3. Raingutter Regatta

Raingutter Regatta

The Regatta is being held on November 16, 2019 at the South Prairie Elementary Cafeteria from 10am to noon.

The rules for the Regatta are fairly simple. The Scouts build boats from standard BSA kits. Please follow the assembly directions on the package and allow them to decorate in any manner they choose.

Any boat kit from the Scout Shop is allowed.

raingutter-regatta-patch

Rules

The race will involve sets of two raingutters on tables or saw horses. We have several sets of raingutters ready to speed the races. Scouts blow air on the boats, through straws, to move them through the water. Hands may only be used to upright a turned over boat and may not be used to advance the boat. Scouts may not use their faces, lips, hats, nose or other body parts to move the boat — just their lung power!

In a competition year, the actual race will be divided into rank categories: Lion, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos. Each rank group will first race each other. Elimination heats will be run to narrow down the field for each rank. At least double elimination will be used. The final heats from each age group will determine the 1st, 2nd,  and3rd place finishers for that rank. The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each age group will be in the pack finals.

Winners in each den and the overall winner will recieve a certificate and prize. All scouts will get a participant pin!

Construction Rules

The boat must be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. As much as practical, the boat should be substantially
built by the Scout with parental supervision. The boat should use every part from the BSA Raingutter Regatta Kit.
Additional parts, decals, paint, and glue are permitted.

  • Only boats with dried paint, decorations, glue (adhesives) will be allowed to compete.
  • Overall width shall not exceed 2 1/4 inches.
  • Overall length from bow to stern (including rudder) shall not exceed 7.00 inches, nor shorter than 6.50 inches.
  • The mast must rise 6.50 inches above the deck.
  • Below the waterline, no more than the forward 1 inch and the aft 1 inch may be shaped in any way. Surfaces and edges may be sanded smooth.
  • Only the sail supplied with the kit may be used. The sail may be trimmed, but must not be shaped or folded. The sail must be upright for its entire length and must be attached to the mast supplied with the kit. The mast may be placed in any position on the top of the boat and the sail may be arched or curved in one dimension only. The sail may be tied, tacked, or glued in place as long as it is upright and unfolded.
  • The Rank, Den Number, and first and last name of the scout must be on the sail.
  • Modifications above the waterline for creative or decorative purposes are allowed as long as they do not alter sail performance. Details such as figures, decals and paint are permissible as long as these details are securely glued or fastened to the boat. The scouts are encouraged to decorate their boat, as this adds to the experience.

Race Rules

  • Two Scouts will race against each other at a time.
  • Each boat must start with the back of the boat touching the end of the rain gutter; the Scout must hold it there with one hand.
  • When the starter says go, the Scouts will propel the boats by blowing on the sail, through a straw provided by the Pack.
  • The Scout may use his hand only to upright his boat or to remove an impediment (i.e. if the boat is stuck on the gutter). THE SCOUT MAY NOT ADVANCE THE BOAT WITH HIS HAND AT ANY TIME. If a Scout does so, he will be given a warning and the race rerun if that Scout wins.
  • If a boat gets broken during a race, the results stand.
  • The race may be rerun if the judges find a reason that merits it.