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The actual "race" will be divided into age categories:
Tiger, Wolf,
Bear and Webelos. Each age group will race amongst themselves. The race
will involve two lanes of "rain gutters". The boys are to 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. 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!
The
Rain gutter Regatta is similar to the pinewood Derby except that the
models are miniature sail boats. Although the seas are only 10-foot
lengths of rain gutter filled with water, and the ships a mere 7 inches
long, the race is a very exciting event. Each boy will build his own boat
with supervision and help from parents and leaders the day of the event.
He also provides the wind for the sail with his own lung power.
The
regatta boat kit, available from the Scout Shop, 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 with decal kits
(also available at the Scout Shop). The boats race in pairs on rain gutter
courses propelled by the boys blowing into the sails with a drink straw.
Tips
for the Rain gutter Regatta:
 | The
bottom edge of the sail needs to be about 1/2 inch above the deck of
the boat. If the sail is too low the corners rubbed against the gutter
or dipped in the water. If the sail is too high the boat was top heavy
and tended to tip over.
| | The
boats sail best if they are balanced with more weight to the rear.
This elevates the bow of the boat, and when blown, will run almost
even.
| | The
keels need 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.
| | Don't
have the race on a 100° day.
| | Have
fun!! |
The following image are Copyright
1996 Boy Scouts of America
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