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.
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.