Raingutter Regatta
The Raingutter Regatta is a Parent-child project. Parents, please feel free to give guidance and minimal assistance appropriate to the age of your child as they build their Raingutter Regatta boat. This is a chance for Cub Scouts (and siblings) to be part of a team during boat construction and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with their peers. Since this is a Cub Scout (or sibling) powered event, the object is to have the boats as equal as possible and have the race rely on the Cub Scouts (or siblings) themselves.
Each competitor will receive a boat kit in advance of race day. If you did not receive your kit, please contact the Cubmaster or the event organizer. Plan to arrive at the race with your completed boat on time, so you can register before the start of the race.
Rules:
The Raingutter Regatta race is open to all Pack 825 Cub Scouts and siblings.
Each competitor is limited to one boat. The boat should be a new one this year.
Each boat is subject to a technical inspection to verify that meets the prescribed specifications.
The boat must have been built using only the kit handed out at the Pack meeting or purchased (BSA Raingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kit NO. 612513).
If a boat becomes damaged, and upon the official's permission, the competitor may be allotted a short span of time to make (reasonable) repair to the boat before the next race. Time will be determined by the race official.
Only the race official can determine if a race needs to be rerun due to boat damage or outside interference.
All decisions by race officials are final. Remember this is a friendly competition.
Boat Specifications:
To ensure that the race is as fair as possible, boats must be made from the official BSA Raingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kit (NO. 612513). All parts (2 outriggers, polymer hull, mast, sail and 4 screws) provided in the kit must be used in the boat construction (no substitutions are allowed).
Outriggers/Hull: The Outriggers must be no longer than 7" or shorter than 6-1/2". The finished boat must be 3-1/4" wide, which is the dimension of the molded hull in the kit (any wider and it may not fit in the raingutter). The outriggers must be solid and not split into multiple parts and must be evenly placed. The outriggers should be cut on the leading edge as shown in the kit instructions. One may not be placed ahead of the other. (Basically, the Trimaran Boat should look like a Trimaran Boat displayed on the box.)
The boat requires no keel or rudder and none may be added. No other form of propulsion besides the sail is allowed.
Sail: Must use the sail provided in the kit. It may be trimmed and decorated, but cannot be enlarged or added to in order to increase size. The sail may only be attached to the mast by glue (this is highly recommended), through the factory holes in the sail. No mechanical fasteners will be allowed. The sail may not be in contact with any part of the boat except the mast. Tip: If a sail is placed too high, the boat can become top-heavy and tends to tip over. A well-secured sail makes the boat easier to handle in the water.
Mast: The mast hole is molded into the top of the plastic hull and is the only placement allowed for the mast - no deviations /modifications to the hole are allowed. The top of the mast may not be higher than 7" from the deck, nor shorter than 6" from the deck. The mast must be perpendicular (90 degrees) to the hull - angling the mast in any direction is not allowed.
Painting: The sailboat body should be painted at least 24 hours before racing to allow sufficient time to dry. Do not use water-soluble paints. If the paint is wet at registration, the boat will not be allowed to compete.
Decorations such as sailors, cannons, Lego figures, etc. may be added as long as they are firmly fastened to the boat. The decorations may not be placed in such a manner as to change the boat dimensions as listed above. Stickers, decals, and other objects may be added to customize your boat - use your imagination!
Inspection and Registration:
Prior to inspection and registration you may take a practice run, provided that setup is complete and time is available. Practice runs are not guaranteed!
Each boat must pass an inspection and be registered before it may compete. (If it looks like the boat in the instructions and fits in the raingutter you should be okay.) This allows the competition brackets to be seeded before the race.
A small amount of craft supplies may be available to assist in any last-minute needed modifications to the boats. (Basically whatever is available at the meeting space.)
Competition:
Once all boats are registered, the competition brackets will be seeded. Scouts will start by racing with other Scouts from their same rank (Tigers, Wolves, etc.). All races will be ran head to head with double elimination.
Each race heat will be in an inflatable raceway, approximately 10 feet long, placed side by side and filled with ~4 gallons of water.
The race heat begins once the competing boats have been placed against the back wall of the gutter and the official starter commands the racers, "On your mark, Get set, BLOW!"
On the "BLOW!" command, the racers will blow into the sail of their boats in order to advance them through the water. The boat can only be propelled by blowing into the sail. Once the race has begun, the racer CANNOT touch their boat - pushing the boat forward is NOT allowed.
To be fair to all participants, blowing only with the mouth and no external objects is encouraged. But straws may be used upon the official's permission only if both racers in a heat agree to use them.
Once the race begins, the boat may not be altered, including applying any materials to the bottom of the boat
If a boat capsizes or becomes stuck it will righted by a race official only.
If a boat is touched by the racer's face, lips, hat, nose or other part of their body then the boat will be returned to the starting position to continue racing
The first boat to touch the opposite end of the Raingutter with its nose will be considered the winner of that heat.
The finish line official(s) will have the final and only say in determining the winner. In the unlikely event of a tie, the racers will be given a chance to catch their breath then the heat will be rerun.
Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant may be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.
Sportsmanship:
Sportsmanship and fun are the main objectives for all to enjoy. The most important values in Raingutter Regatta competition are parent/child participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules.