Now hear this!
All hands on deck!   All hands on deck!

ATTENTION ON DECK!   This is the Cub Master speaking!

The Official Pack 230 Raingutter Regatta will take place Friday June 3^rd at 6:30pm! Be sure to mark your calendars for this evening of sailing, sociability, and sustenance!

We at Pack 230 will use the Raingutter Regatta for several purposes:

• To end this scouting year with a "splash"!
• To offer an opportunity for our 'new first grade' friends to see what Cub Scouting is all about!
• To host a summertime event and help our pack achieve our Quality Unit Award for 2006.

What is a Raingutter Regatta?

The Raingutter Regatta is similar to the Pinewood Derby or the Space Derby except that the models are small sailboats. These sturdy crafts sail the placid waters of a 10-foot length of raingutter filled with water. And providing the propulsion for these trusty crafts is all the hot air your scout can generate! Even though the course is only 10 feet long and the ships are a mere 6 inches long, the race is a very exciting event.

Much simpler to construct than Pinewood Derby's, Scouts will get to build their own boats using The Official Cub Scout Raingutter Regatta Kit. The kit comes pre-cut and is ready for immediate sanding, assembly, painting and decorating. Boys should be supervised, and younger boys may need assistance from parents or other family members.

Boat Specifications:

1. The boat must be newly built for the current Cub Scouting year. The Scout should substantially build the boat. Parental supervision in the construction of the boat is encouraged. The boat should be assembled from the B.S.A. Raingutter Regatta Kit parts only. Additional decals, paint, and glue are permitted.
2. Overall width shall not exceed 1.875 inches.
3. Overall length from bow to stern (including rudder) shall not exceed 7.00 inches, nor shorter than 6.50 inches
4. The mast can be no taller than 6.50 inches from the deck surface
5. Weight shall not exceed 1.25 ounces (35.43 grams).
6. The boat must have a single hull.(All catamarans will be disqualified.)
7. The sail must be the one supplied with the B.S.A. Raingutter Regatta Kit. The sail may be trimmed and shaped, but may not be larger than the material supplied.
8. The keel and rudder may be glued anywhere on the bottom of the boat, but cannot exceed 7.00 inches in overall length

Building Instructions:

• Sandpaper the balsa hull to the desired shape, adhering to the specifications listed above. First use a medium-grade sandpaper, then finish off with very fine sandpaper.
• Give model two coats of sanding sealer which can be obtained at a craft or hobby store.
• Mast can be tapered by using either a hand or electric drill. While you carefully turn the dowel, work a piece of sandpaper back and forth until the desire shape is achieved.
• Give entire model two coats of colored lacquer

Design Tips:

Balance vs. Weight
Where your boat balances determines how well your boat deals with waves and staying on the surface of the water. If the weight is too far forward, the bow of your boat will get swamped when it meets the waves (ripples). Too far back, and unnecessary water drag can develop or it can "wheelie" right over on its back. If your sail is at the rear of your boat, make it float with its nose up about 1/2-inch above the waterline when NOT being blown.

Less works Best
It's best to design your boat to weigh as little as allowed by your regulations. Heavier boats may not hydroplane; they have to move water out of the way with their hulls. Even if they do hydroplane, you have to blow harder to go the same speed. There is some evidence though, that 1/8-ounce may be too light - the boat loses too much momentum when you take a breath. When floating, a 6-inch regatta boat sinks about an eighth of an inch (draft) for each ounce of weight. To control the weight and its placement in your boat, make the boat as light as possible. Use free weights to concentrate the weight where it is needed. For a 1-ounce boat, a few pennies works great (there are about 11 pennies to the ounce). Use modeling clay for small weight adjustments - it's waterproof. Express your theme with deck figures or build up structures and it may be possible not to use weights at all.

Balance
For any kind of boat, make the balance point low in the hull to guard against capsizing. This means placing free weight low in the hull. If your weight is too far above the waterline, your boat will become "wobbly" or unstable. If the balance point is too far back, the boat may flip backward hitting a wave. Too far forward, it'll get swamped by waves or be hard to hydroplane.

Testing:
Don't be afraid to take your boat out for a quick spin! The professionals use wave tanks; I know my son regularly creates his own 'wave tank' in the tub! After all...who doesn't like a toy to play with in the bathtub. So let him get it wet and see how it floats!

"Well blow me down"...the raingutter.
Sounds simple huh. Well, even the best-balanced vessel won't get very far without the proper application of wind.

It's all about the 5 S'es

• Blow Strongly, but not so hard that you drive the bow of the boat down into the water.
• Use a Steady flow of air. You will notice that it's a lot easier to keep the boat moving than it is to have it start and stop. Practice taking long breaths and blowing for a long time. Short breaths waste energy getting the boat to overcome water resistance.
• Concentrate your breath into a narrow Stream of air. Either use a straw (a big fat one works best) or purse your lips tightly as you blow.
• Tip your head Sideways and put your head as close to the water as possible. This makes sure your long steady breath will push the boat forward; not downward.
• Blow Straight! By watching an object immediately at the end of the gutter and always pointing your head toward it as you move down the gutter your boat won't zig zag it's way down the course.

Unverified speed tips. Use at your own risk!

• Waxing your hull reduces water resistance.
• A little daub of vaseline below the waterline reduces water resistance.
• Try not to accidentally create any waves/ripples in your raingutter.
• Use a fat straw. You can't blow hard enough through a thin one to get the boat moving.
• Don't be tempted to round your hull. A round hull may cut through the water better, but it will also decrease stability.
• Trim your sails. Literally! Try different size and shape sails you cut from paper before cutting your official sail.
• Be patient! If you puff and pant without paying attention to the 'blowing' tips above all that will happen is you will hyperventilate!

Decorating:
Decorating is left to the imagination of the scout. Feel free to apply decals, flags, tiny figures, or whatever as long as they are securely fastened to the vessel. If you choose to spray paint your sail be warned that over spraying will likely cause cracking and peeling.

Race Procedure and Rules:

1. The pack will be broken out by den creating 4 heats.
2. All races will be run on a system of double elimination.
3. Timing of boats will have no bearing in determining heat or final winner.
4. Winners of first heats will compete against each other in a second heat, third heat, etc., until a final winner is determined.
5. At the start of each race: Rain gutter skippers must hold their boats against the back of the gutter until the official gives the starting signal.
6. After a race has begun, sailors may not touch their boats.
7. If a race is interrupted by a capsized boat without interference from another sailor, the skipper can upright his boat and continue the race. If the same sailor capsizes a second time, in the same race without interference, the capsized boat shall be disqualified.
8. If a racer touches a boat after the start of a race he will be warned once. If he wins the race after touching his boat the race will be re-run. If he needs to be warned a second time he will be disqualified.
9. If there is a tie, those boats will race again.
10. We will have 4 judges; one for each gutter. The judge will determine fouls and jointly with the other lane judge determine winners.
11. The judge's decision is final.

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