Agenda

Raingutter Regatta will have scouts first race against each other within their dens to determine 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. The 1st ranked scout by Den will then be entered into the Pack Finals, with heats to determine the overall fastest boat. Awards will also be given for to boats that best represent the following themes:

1. Most "Scoutlike"

2. Dragon Theme

3. Judges Choice

Location:

- Hicks Canyon Elementary Lunch Tables

Kits:

- Regatta kits will be available from each of your Den Leaders. The cost for the kit is covered by the program paid from amazing popcorn sales this year and past years.

Arrival Time:

- Parents please arrive with scouts by 1 pm so we can establish the tournament brackets. Late arrivals can’t be accommodated.

Food/Drink:

- Scouts should come in uniform and with refillable water bottle.

- Chips/fruit snacks will be provided.

Raingutter Regatta Rules

The Raingutter Regatta is a parent-Scout project. Please feel free to give guidance and minimal assistance, appropriate to the age of your Scout, as he builds his Raingutter Regatta boat. This is a chance for your scout to be part of a team (during boat construction) and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with

his peers. Since this is a scout powered event, the object is to have the boats as equal as possible and have the race rely on the Scout himself.

The RainGutter Regatta race is open to all Cub Scouts registered in Pack 541.

• Each competitor is limited to one boat. The boat should be a new build, not one used in previous races or other regatta events.
• Each scout's boat is subject to a technical inspection to verify that meets the prescribed specifications.
• The boat must be built using the official BSA Trimaran boat kit supplied free of charge to all registered Cub Scouts of Pack 541

SPORTSMANSHIP and FUN are the main objectives for the Scouts and all to enjoy. The most important values in Raingutter Regatta competition are parent/son participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules.

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. 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). If you are missing parts in your kit, contact your Den Leader for replacements.

Balsa wood is fragile and damage can occur unexpectedly if mishandled during construction. Please be careful while constructing your vessel. In the event you damage your hulls during construction, blocks of balsa wood is available at Hobby Lobby. The blocks are not cut to fit. You are responsible for ensuring any replacement balsa wood complies with the dimensions and construction standards listed below.

Construction details:

• Outriggers/Hull: The Outriggers must be no longer than 7" or shorter than 6 ½". 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 enclosed 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.

• 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 not be in contact with any part of the boat except the mast and rear sail tie-downs molded into the hull. No CUP or BOX sails will be accepted. Your boat should look like the boat on the box.
  • 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. The mast MUST BE perpendicular (90 degrees) to the hull - angling the mast in any direction is not allowed.

• Painting: Sailboat body should be painted/varnished at least 24 hours before racing to allow sufficient time to dry. Do not use water-soluble paints. No vinyl wraps or other non-paint coatings allowed.
  • Tip: 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.)
• Please allow yourself time to pass inspection and make any small adjustments as needed before registration cut-off.
• A minimal amount of craft supplies and volunteers may be available to assist in any last minute needed modifications to the boats. Please plan to arrive at the event with all boat building have been completed.

Competition:

• Once all boats are registered for each rank (30 minutes before planned race time), the competition brackets will be seeded. Scouts will start by racing with other Scouts from their same rank (Tigers, Wolves, etc.)
• Races will be run using a double-elimination bracket. Scouts will compete within their respective rank to determine top three. Top three of each rank will advance to the overall Pack competition.
• Certificates will be awarded for first, second, and third place within each rank and first, second and third overall within the Pack
• The race heat begins once the official starter has placed the competing boats against the back wall of the gutter and commands the racers to "Get on your Mark... and 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. Straw can be used to blow so long as there is no contact with the boat.
• Scouts will be allowed two false starts before forfeiting their heat.
• 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 officials 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.
• 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. The Scout may be allotted a short span of time to make reasonable repairs to the boat before the next race. Time will be determined by the race officials ONLY.
• Only the race officials can determine if a race needs to be rerun due to boat damage or outside interference.