Make the ultimate raingutter regatta racer
By Mark N. LardasIllustrations by Judy Zipkes
From the August 2002 issue of Boys' Life magazine
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.
I remember when I won 1st place in the rain-gutter regatta. It was AWESOME!
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
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
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.