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Make the ultimate raingutter regatta racer

SAFETY FIRST: Ask an adult to help with tools you haven't used before.

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

step1.jpgStep 1: Sand the balsa wood hull’s sides and bottom until smooth.

step2.jpgStep 2: Put the mast in, and bend back the mast to “rake” it a little. Take the mast out for now.

step3.jpgStep 3: Seal the hull, using two coats of polyurethane, then sand it smooth.

step4.jpgStep 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.

step5.jpgStep 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.

step6.jpgStep 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.

step7.jpgStep 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.

step8.jpgStep 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.

no.jpgIf you’re too high, blowing downward, you will force the bow down, slowing the boat. You’ll blow your chance to win.

yes.jpgPosition yourself so that you are blowing from behind the boat and slightly up, using a gentle, steady breath.


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16 Comments on Make the ultimate raingutter regatta racer

  1. cheater hater // November 2, 2010 at 2:14 pm // Reply

    listen kids this is not legal in all derby’s check ur rules first.

  2. Spraying the bottom with WD-40 is a good alternative to polyurethane. Same water repelling effect.

  3. 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.

  4. cool my dad wont stop sanding it please help i want to win first place help me i won the race

  5. Both my kids used this design and each took first in their age groups. Thanks a lot for the info.

  6. awesomeness // October 6, 2010 at 7:12 pm // Reply

    My dad says it sould be good.

  7. awesomeness // October 6, 2010 at 7:09 pm // Reply

    i hpoe this works! my boats ussually stink.

  8. 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.

  9. its awesome though i won with catamaran desighn

  10. 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.

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