Make the ultimate raingutter regatta racer
A winning raingutter racer stays on an even keel, moves in a straight line, keeps the bow above water and does not drag.
If your boat does all this, it finishes ahead of any boat that can’t. Here’s how to build your winner.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Regatta Kit (BSA Supply No. 17090, $3.99, http://www.scoutstuff.org)
- Fine sandpaper
- Scissors
- Polyurethane
- Paintbrush
- Superglue
- Spray paint (optional)
- Adult permission and/or supervision
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Step 1: Sand the balsa wood hull’s sides and bottom until smooth.
Step 2: Put the mast in, and bend back the mast to “rake” it a little. Take the mast out for now.
Step 3: Seal the hull, using two coats of polyurethane, then sand it smooth.
Step 4: Add the keel and the rudder. Put both on the centerline and at right angles to the bottom of the hull. Put the keel on as far back as you can, just ahead of the rudder.
Step 5: Glue the keel’s narrow edge next to the hull and the angled edge forward. This makes your boat harder to tip and quicker to right.
Step 6: If you paint the boat, keep it simple — spray paint works fine. Three thin coats make an attractive finish. Attach the mast after painting.
Step 7: Trim 1/4 inch off the top and 3/4 inch off the bottom of the sail. Cut a new bottom hole 1/2 inch above the old one. Clip off the bottom corners so they can’t snag the gutter.
Step 8: To keep the sail above the gutter, attach it so that the bottom is 1 1/2 inches above the deck. Glue the sail to the mast so that it can’t move. Attach the sail at right angles to the centerline.
HOW TO CAPTAIN THE BOAT
No matter how well you make your boat, victory demands a skilled captain. An even wind, for instance, moves the boat faster than do frantic puffs.
Practice long, steady breaths. Your breath should hit the sail directly behind the sail and just below the center.
If you’re too high, blowing downward, you will force the bow down, slowing the boat. You’ll blow your chance to win.
Position yourself so that you are blowing from behind the boat and slightly up, using a gentle, steady breath.
The new design is different than the old one.
Can’t wait to do it
Thanks
My son just won first place today with this design. Honestly, no one else was even close
We give the boys a bendy straw to use for blowing on the sail. They have to keep track of their straw so they have something to drink their root beer floats at the end of the races. Also, make sure and create a surface around the edges to break surface tension that forms when the boat hits the side of the gutter. My kids wrapped their boats in duct tape the last few years, pretty fast
how do you make a good sail design
usually, you would want your sail slightly curved and wide to catch as mush air from the fan as possible. The curved sail design will help contain the air flow within the sail to help stability, as well.
We had the boy scouts reffing(is that the right word) and they had lots of fun
Rules now state that sail cannot be touching anypart of boat other than mast and must use all parts supplied with kit.
yeah, I like my trimaran that i painted red.
The last time I was in a raingutter regatta, I was the only one who put the sail connected to the bottom of the ship without the stick. That way, the sail wouldn’t turn to the left or right.
Any tips out there how to make the trimaran go faster?
I got 6th place overall
What to do if sail gets lost?
My son came In first . This was the first time in four years . Ty so much for these tips . One happy Cub Scout !
i got first place by doing this by my self it really works
We used this design last year and my child came in last place during each run. I had no idea how much more you could modify the sail (cut pieces off and reattach in a different position, etc) and how much more you could modify the boat itself. Not to mention my child’s boat was the only one that actually looked like a CHILD made it!
cub scouts rule im 1
Looks great. There’s a lot of other materials that can be purchased, but the kit is the way to go. Keeps it simple and Balsa is an ideal species for this purpose.
thanks 4 awesome help
Use Super Glue
i have 2 boys in cub scouts and we followed these tips for last years regatta…They came in 1st and 2nd place!! We will definitely be using these tips again this year! They hope to pull 1st and 2nd again next week! Thanks!
Hi DSW – what were the tips you used? Thank you.
What glue should be used?
Hope She wins!
this stuf looks cool
wish our pack did that regatta thing
ask your pack leader he/she might consider
Or even better, offer to organize the event. Who is going to say no to an event they don’t have to plan.
I want to do this but we don’t have a random rain gutter sitting around or some balsa wood. 🙁
yeah my pack has it all but they won’t do it
My son and I followed these instructions and he won!
Going 2 use some of the directions for a school project hope it works.
I have to say that following this there is a few rule violation that comes with the regatta. One is there needs to be a space between the keel and the rutter and also super glue is not supposed to be allowed only “a water-based resin or wood glue. I find it disheartening that one of the scout codes is to do your best. Yet the rules are not taken into account. My own sons pack did this and I am not happy. However we (my son and I ) followed them he placed 3rd.
Wing15 is a real whiner,
Inverting the keel with the narrow part in the hull did not work
for us. This design is slow… Build it according to directions in the box to win.
My regattas tonight i hope it works
Third place finish for my Tiger Cub’s first regatta, even against some older scouts in the pack!
Worked like a charm tonight! 3rd place finish for my Bear Cub! Followed it all to a tee, and put three coats of poly on it.
I sure hope this works???
I totally believe in this article! My son won the overall pack by following these instructions to the tee! He will be racing in the district races sometime in the next month! Thanks to Mark Lardas for this great article!
Still working on it. Hope it works.
This had better work!! I NEED to keep my pack event winning streak going!!! I won the Cublympics and Pinewood derby. if i loze, ill be this-
>>>:<
-angry dude!!!!!!!!!!!!!
pce out
Boy i hope this works because this is my first time and my last time!
My Race is Nov. 17th hope I win a trophy
This boat better work…
This is the second year we have used this design with one alteration. We are the only ones in the pack to use it. There is something to the keel and rudder being set against one another because for the second year it produced a win. And when I say win I mean blowout. In a few of the races the win was by a full half the distance of the raingutter.
hopes it will work for me
i took first last year but i hope this helps me do even better
We followed your instructions and won!
We built one nearly the same, but trimmed the sail and glued it to the deck. No one else had the keel moved and no one came close to beating us !
Hope this works!!!
Followed the instructions, and even though we didn’t have any polyurethane my son still won! Noone else had the keel turned this way or so close to the rudder. The tips for blowing really helped too since I noticed most of the other contestants blowing downwards. Thanks!
I also used the instructions.It really works! I learned the hard way not to put too many stickers on it…makes the balance off!
My son and I will be following these instructions and hopefully we will do well – at least better than we did in the Pinewood Derby last year! Our regatta is Aug 4 – so keep us in mind!
going to make my boat . hope this works for me.
today is the race
Followed this exactly and did terrible!! Only won against one other boat. Most of the boats were totally different… either had sail all the way to deck and glued down on sides or cut theirs into catamaran… those were the ones that won. We were no competition!
Best instructions I’ve seen. Simple enough for my bears boys to do on their own. The best “trick” was the polyurethane! Really helped the boat stay dry throughout all the races. Boys took 1st and 2nd overall.
The boy is a Tiger. We followed the directions, with particular note to the keel/rudder design, raking the mast, and, most importantly, blowing techniques (even the fastest boats will not win without a good skipper), and he took the Pack Championship UNDEFEATED. This is the by far the best boat design for packs that race traditional boats (no catamarans or cup sails).
Trying this year with my son. Tomorrow is the race. I hope pans out well! he is so excited.
We followed the instructions over the weekend and we are now headed to the races. Wish us luck!
It’s going to make me win!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My son just finished his first raingutter regatta today. He took 1st place with only one loss. He was a tiger cub and transitioned to wolf. Design and ideas are great. Just make sure to glue your sail about 1″ up from the deck.
Great design, my son won his first five races with this boat, and was in the top 5 winners, as the youngest and only tiger cub!
Im gonna put a cannon on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
First time doing this project for my two boys. One took first completely undefeated and the other took 5th (he is younger and did not try as well).
I have two sons too, 1 is young and the other is in his last year.
This was a great design! We will be using it again next year
Won all 13 races using these instructions. Undefeated as a Tiger. Beat a Webelo scout in the finals.
Cool
works great but i lost, i am SURE my opponent cheated!!!
Third place overall (out of 32) with only these instructions!
We got 2nd place against a lot of kids who had been in scouts longer. Trophy and a good night. Thanks for this easy to understand and use page.
I’m a first year too!
Thanks for the tips…my son just won a second place trophy thank to you!
Done!
I hope this works!
I falowing the steps right now im on 3
My sons placed 1st and 3rd with these tips. Thanks!
il try it
i won this year with a catamaran and a cup sail
Step 5: Glue the keel’s narrow edge next to the hull and the angled edge forward. This makes your boat harder to tip and quicker to right.
The keel has no bent section to attach to the bottom of the boat. How do you do this?
dunno
My son has used these directions every year and has done great! Thank you for the tips!
My son won this year as a Wolf. The directions were great!!! Thank you!!
We used these directions basically and my son took 2nd in the pack.. This included wins over 3 or 4 catamarans with no masts, etc. Thanks for the tips!
I used these instructions and won first prize in my first race. I sanded, used 5 coats of paint, put stickers on, and then sprayed with polyurethene. Keel, rudder and sails were the same as you said, and I won against 42 scouts, including a couple of catamarans.
this is good. I love it so much.
I love it
this better work!
I hope this works, my dad helped with my pinewood derby and it looked awesome, a surfboard with a bionical riding it…it looked awesome but it only placed 5th.
good try
I am folowinwing the instructtions but am gowing to have to stop at the polyurethane step do you know if we could use it without polyurethane ?
The polyurethane makes it water proof. A must!
what if u put the potualuugh stuff after u paint it
These directions were great! My son took first place in his raingutter regatta race tonight. I think the big difference was inverting the keel and putting it right against the rudder. His boat was not as “tippy” as most of the other boats. Most of the other boats had the keel right under the mast and they tended to be nose heavy.
sorry typo with the marieman
good ideas
The tip really works
THANKSS FOR THE INFORMATION IT ACTUALLY WORKS GOODD 🙂
My boys and I have followed this guide with a few modifications (mostly to the hull), and my 9yr old son has come in first place every year. My youngest son at 7 yrs old even came in 3rd beating out several older competitors last year. Looking forward to another winning year.
only 15 in my pack no den leader lol hes too lazy
My race is this weekend i hope i can win with my idea and these are pretty good instructions so..GOOD LUCK 856!
thx it will help
Thanks for the great information my 4yo came in 3rd place in her age group.
We used this design and my son took home the 3rd place trophy last night. We beat one catamaran but not the other (which took home the 1st place trophy). He had a blast! We will definitely be using this design next year!
Followed the directions for last years race and our 2 scouts earned second and third place! It was their first time doing the race. We’re gearing up for this years race and will certainly follow directions again! Thanks so much!
The race is in two days!!!!!
these directions are amazing. without these i would not know what to do at all.
please help… first year in race and never have done this before. my son really wants to place. any suggestions?????
cool
i dont know what color?i need
help!
Towmorrow is the race and I’m gonna win!!!!!
These directions are great!!!
Started building the boat at 3 pm, placed 1st at 7 pm. Even took out a catamaran on the way!
Our RGR had a “siblings” category, which was hilarious.
My Weblos only lost one race- to his sister! She was undefeated!
We didn’t use the polyurethane (but only because we didn’t have any.) The alterations to the sail made all the difference! Other boats kept running into the sides, or getting caught on the gutters. If you do nothing else- Sand the boat and trim the sail!!
a catameran is way better
I agree catamaran is faster. My son would give the single hull boats a 10 second lead then with two puffs win the race.
Awsome tips. We put the polyurethane on after painting but it didnt matter 3rd in pack and 2nd in group 90 kids total. Trimming and Glueing the mast is the most important step. Thanks a ton!
that is so cool
I have found that the “skins” for the pinewood cars, as an alternative to paint, create an awesome and smooth look to the boat. Also reduces resistance in the water. fast, effective, and very eye catching. (top 2 finish 3 yrs in a row! :-))
I like this idea better than others. Bye, thanks for the tips.
these plans do work. son took 1st in den and 2nd in pack.
take tips from your mom,dad,den leader,and fellow scouts.and make your boat as light as posible.getting fansy will just make it wegh more.
AWESOME! My son won it all tonite! UNDEFEATED! 🙂 He’s so happy! Thanks for the tips!
what kind of glue for keel and rudder where to locate and did u cut a groove
I sanded my boat like a smooth L. should I do this or should I make it into a regular L?
lol… iv won the race for the 3rd time now
Paint your boat, polyurethane with two coats and finish with Turtle Wax for the ultimate finish and waterproofing. My son’s boats really fly through the water.
subject:dad
i’m going to try your idea
What tool should I use to make the grooves for rudder and keel; how deep?
My son used this design and won first place in our pack’s regatta. Last year we used the instructions that came with the kit and he was eliminated very early in the competition. Thank you!!!
I WON AGAIN!!!!! 4 TIMES IN A ROW
Since I’m unsure of my Pack’s exact rules, I’m intentionally resisting these “winning” designs because I don’t want to be “that Dad”.
listen kids this is not legal in all derby’s check ur rules first.
What part is illegal? Looks very similar to the directions that came with my kit, other than turning the keel around.
There is nothing illegal about this.
Spraying the bottom with WD-40 is a good alternative to polyurethane. Same water repelling effect.
Spray the WD40 before or after the paint?
And, now… for MORE SPEED? This was our first year in the regatta. The upside down keel is an awesome idea. We screwed up on gluing of the rudder and put it on upside down too, which turned out to lower the drag and boost speed. But first we carved a 1/8″ groove from the bow to the stern, like the Louisiana Bayou speed boats I grew up with. That along with creasing and fixing the sail to the boat (catamaran style), and it flew down the gutter at 3-4 times the speed of the other boats. The fixed sail actually forces the air (we got this from having to do 400 of the Boy’s Life anemometers at family camp) down and back, providing an added boost even greater than a catamaran because the air can travel over the the center of the top of the boat (with a catamaran it just goes into the water via the gap between the hulls). Some parents complained and we were disqualified in the middle of the race for not using (or needing) a 6.5″ mast. My son was crushed. So much for good ideas… be careful on doing too much and becoming a target. Next year we’ll ad a mast/flag pole, but sand it thin to avoid drag.
sounds like your style was catamaran / hydrafoil: both which are styles not allowed in the raingutter regatta because of the unfair competitive advantage. suprised they let you race without the required 6.5 inch mast. love your design specs though. sorry about the disqualification better luck next year to you both, I’m sure you’ll do fine with your knowledge and tips.
cool my dad wont stop sanding it please help i want to win first place help me i won the race
Both my kids used this design and each took first in their age groups. Thanks a lot for the info.
My dad says it sould be good.
i hpoe this works! my boats ussually stink.
Our pack doesn’t use the kits. My son got a piece of wood that wasn’t even cut straight, a block of wood that is splintered, 4 nails and a foam plate. Hopefully we can make something that will at least float. I don’t push winning. As long as he has fun, learns something and enjoys the time spent with his mom is all I look for.
Sounds like a cowboy cadillac.
its awesome though i won with catamaran desighn
I hope this works, it is Saturday (the day of the race) and it is about 5 hours till the race. (3 hours later) I just finished my homework. Then I realize, DANG! I haven’t made my boat yet! I hope I can make this in two hours, I built a cool design with a dremel and sandpaper. I got all the supplies and these awesome instructions! I hope I can win a least 3rd place.
You hope you can win at least 3rd place? Don’t you mean your son?
He broke off the front point where do I get another? The race is Monday. We are starting over. This time we are using the directions.
cool
we already painted the boat can we use polyurethan over the paint?
YES
Wy not just make a catameran
One of the best ways to make your boat go faster, and this is hard to do, is back up. If you get to close to your boat the sail doesn’t pick up the “wind” as well. 2″-3″ from the sail – slow, 10″-12″ from the sail – Fast. Try it, you’ll see.
Totally agree with this comment. My 3 year old “made” a boat this year in our pack’s “family” competition, and I held him up to blow on it. Of course a 3 year old can’t blow much (although he was trying), so I was doing the blowing, and when the boat got 8 – 10″ ahead of me, it went a lot better.
P.S. Our family category is just for fun, so no rules were broken by dad blowing instead of the 3 year old! 🙂
I remember when I won 1st place in the rain-gutter regatta. It was AWESOME!
I HAVE WON 3 TIMES
To Make the best Rain Gutter Regatta use the wood to make a catamaran.
this has been very helpful. I think I will win!!!!!!!
how deep do you insert keel and rudder
use super glue
i really dont think it works cuz the wood might be too heavy i would use some thing lighter.
Should the rudder stick out past the back of the boat or should it be lined up with the back. If yes to sticking out how much should it?
Our pack is only allowing a 3/4 inch depth. What is the BSA rule concerning depth?
What if we spray paint it? Will that help? Is that good enough or not? Does it “have to” be polyurethane? We just came back from a Webelos Extreme campout and the regatta is tomorrow. Thanks for the good info,though!
followed these directions and my two kids won 1st and 3rd place in the pack competitions – even against one catamaran style boat. making the sail smaller and keeping it up high really helps, as does using the Polyurethane.
My son raced this design and took first place. He even won against a catamaran design. Really made his day. Thanks!
this is good to know.
My son and his friend both used this design and took first and second places in our pack’s regatta this past weekend. Thanks!
i got fisrt place and i got the world cup
awsome boat in the picture
I won with a catamaran style
i won first out of everyone
cool.
I’m doing it.
I like the design for this regatte.how good is it?I did not do very good last year.I hope I get in the top 3.
JUST STICK A MODEL ROCKET ENGINE IN THE BACK OF THE BOAT!!!!!!!!
a rocket or c02
Or a nuclear outboard motor with optional hydrogen rocket attatchment.
Do we have to polyurethane the boat? (My son has already applied the stickers he wants on there!)
Polyurethane is important for the boat to cut through the water smoother (less drag) and to help it from getting water logged if it ends up in multiple races. It is actually better to add that stickers before polyurethane (for aesthetic reasons), it just looks better; so don’t worry because your son already applied stickers.
Directions earned my kid 2nd place! Thanks a lot 🙂
I hope I win! Really… honestly I don’t think it will work.
It’s the day before the race, I hope I win! Your instructins are pretty good so i think the race should get me in the top 3s!
I enjoyed building my boat. 🙂 Unfortunately my Mom found out that our Pack has restrictions for building our boats. We cannot deviate from the kit instructions. 🙁 I went with your design anyway and I won second place in the Den Championship!
i think there hould me more space between the keel and the rutter
This was the best tips.
this looks useful
how good is it
i beat i could make a better boat
Awesome!!!
Hydrofoil design with cupped sail works alot better. You can find plans with a google search. Much easier to keep boat moving. We don’t even use keel or rutter and shave weight from front to keep boat balanced. Try it.
that is a good idea.
It helped my boat!
Great boat, I followed these directions to the number and took first place.
they stink,it desroyed my boat
its awesome tips they ROCK!!!!!!!
I think thats inresting
This is a good idea but i pin my sale down to the boat
my packs raingutter ragetta is this sunday hope i win
great instructions!!! boat worked perfect, 1st place!! Thank you!
how far into the hull do u insert the keel and the rudder?
used this design today and took 2nd place still not bad for first time. The kid that took 1st obviously has raced few times before had a good blowing technique. lots of other boats tipped over or nose dived. Also we shortend mast to reduce top weight
halflife 2rocks!and so does this
this better work…
AWSOME
just wandering will it beat a catamaran style boat?
“just wandering will it beat a catamaran style boat?”
No way can it beat a catamaran style boat…. those boats are too stable, which is why they’re not allowed.
Check with your local leader or Cub Master. Our Pack has NO restrictions!(per cub master) Some packs have very strict rules, some even down to not altering the boat at all. Good luck guys!
i can build a way better boat!!
I helped my son build this boat and he raced it 5 times and won them all. The other boats were tipping over and this one sailed smoothly. Also the lifting the sail 1.5 inches made a big difference. The other sails were rubbing on the top of the gutter.
thanks for the design
I’m gonna squeeze out first place!!
i hope it wins
i used these almost to a t an my son won every heat and the whole regatta, hands down. First time ever racing, he even beat the older scouts. Follow these and you’ll have a winner!
i won last place boo hoo!
we race in a couple weeks. these directions are way better than the bogus box ‘directions’…that do not even show keel and rudder placement clearly. thanks! 🙂
We gotta win this race, even though we don’t know how to do it.
this is my first time
I hope I come in 1st
.
I hope I come in 1st with these directions!
cools
i hope this works cause this is my first time
thats cool!
My boy won 1st place with this design. This is a keeper for future regattas! Thanks a bunch.
this boat rocks!
No, it’s not all about winning, but if you have your son participate in the construction of the boat and he demonstrates good sportsmanship and has fun while racing, winning aint a bad way to end the day! By the way we followed these instructions and came in 1st!
It’s not all about winning…
We did this. I hope it meets regulations. The instructions in the box have the keel and rudder separated further apart. I know we cannot add weight at the back which would help to steady the boat. We also put in a small groove for the rudder and keel otherwise they kept slipping during the gluing. They only give a trophy for first place and a medal for a second, so it would be nice to at least come in second. But we’re good sports either way. It was fun to make it.
i am going to look at the instructions on this website and hope to win
this boat rocks
AWSOME
I hope it works
i am sending the person who made this flowers
my race is in 4 days and i havent started making my boat!
i am to try this
My 8 year old bear came in first place after we used these instructions. My only suggestion would be to carve some thin grooves into the bottom where you put the keel and the rudder so they will hold in place better when you glue them.
We did great!! Followed your instructions. First time racer and came in 2nd place for Webelos. Ran out of air after 5 races. Very happy.
This seems like it might work. but my friend won last year and he didn’t do any of this except for the sanding. he didn’t even blow like it says here. I try this way anyway though.
dont you use a straw to blow?
I tried your tips on my sons boat and they work great.He won 2nd place the first time he had tried it. Thanks
You don’t make holes for the rudder and Keel just glue them on the bottom????
my dad just broke the mast`-`
In step 5, to “glue” the rudder and keel to the boat, try “Liquid Nails” adhesive. Best wishes!
this is hard
that…is…so…cool!!
My son won 1st in his first pinewood derby. His hopes were high for his first raingutter regatta. We were unable to track down a kit until the day before the race. We chose not to use the instructions in the box but to use this site! WOW. He took 2nd place. We were thrilled. The first place winners boat looked the same. We asked the parents and they came to this site also! Ours were the only two boats that looked the same. The rest used the instructions from the box. THANK YOU my son is thrilled.
i like your raingutter regattas
can you help me find a desin
cool
WOW! that is a cool boat you made.
We used these directions. My son was in his 1st regatta as a Tiger Scout. He beat everyone, including the Webelos, to finish as the Grand Champion. There was a total of 52 boys competing. Thank you. Highly recommend.
For this year’s Regatta, I installed drain valves on the ends of our gutters. I used a standard 1/2″ boiler drain, sink spray nut, large rubber washer and lots of silicone caulking all found at HomeDepot. Simply drill a 7/8″ hole in the gutter ends with a hole saw. Install drain with silicone and tighten nut. This made draining our gutters into buckets soooo much easier than last year, when we had a flood on the cafeteria floor. Use this tip, it works great. Enjoy.
In answer to the question on raingutter regatta water track, we use regular raingutters, capped on both ends, for our tracks. They work really slick…
The BSA How To Book will give you the instructions on making the Raingutter Regatta Course.
I hope this works it is my first raingutter regatte!
Are there any Cub scout regulations that I will need to follow? or does this “raingutter regatta” meet all cub scout regs?
Say does anyone have instructions to making the raingutter water track? Need it ASAP
This boat is awesome. It was a bit of complicated project (especially since I had to do it with my little brother who thinks painting is tipping the paint jar over my head), but the hard work was completely worth it. Now, over the summer I’ll have something to do when my family goes to the beach- race boats with my brother. I have a feeling I’ll win, though,because my brother is only 4. He probably won’t make a very good boat captain, but he will be really annoying one!
-Later, dudes!
cool
realygood
I love boats and this is awsome!!!
I Am a boy scout, but this is a great ship, not as fast as a P38 Lightning, but you can maybe win every race with this.