BL Workshop
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.
Here's a fun prank disguised as an imagination test.
Apr. 4, 2008 at 3:22 pm
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.
Apr. 4, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I love boats and this is awsome!!!
Apr. 4, 2008 at 9:38 pm
realygood
Apr. 4, 2008 at 10:32 pm
cool
Apr. 13, 2008 at 4:12 pm
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!
May. 7, 2008 at 2:05 am
Say does anyone have instructions to making the raingutter water track? Need it ASAP
May. 17, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Are there any Cub scout regulations that I will need to follow? or does this “raingutter regatta” meet all cub scout regs?
May. 17, 2008 at 9:37 pm
I hope this works it is my first raingutter regatte!
May. 26, 2008 at 11:11 pm
The BSA How To Book will give you the instructions on making the Raingutter Regatta Course.
May. 27, 2008 at 8:00 pm
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…
May. 29, 2008 at 10:21 am
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.
Jun. 7, 2008 at 8:33 pm
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.
Jun. 24, 2008 at 4:04 pm
WOW! that is a cool boat you made.
Jul. 12, 2008 at 11:25 pm
cool
Jul. 23, 2008 at 1:36 pm
can you help me find a desin
Jul. 23, 2008 at 1:37 pm
i like your raingutter regattas
Jul. 24, 2008 at 12:13 am
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.
Jul. 26, 2008 at 9:45 am
that…is…so…cool!!
Aug. 22, 2008 at 7:07 pm
this is hard
Sep. 8, 2008 at 9:48 pm
In step 5, to “glue” the rudder and keel to the boat, try “Liquid Nails” adhesive. Best wishes!
Sep. 20, 2008 at 2:36 pm
my dad just broke the mast`-`
Sep. 21, 2008 at 1:06 pm
You don’t make holes for the rudder and Keel just glue them on the bottom????
Sep. 30, 2008 at 12:20 am
I tried your tips on my sons boat and they work great.He won 2nd place the first time he had tried it. Thanks
Oct. 5, 2008 at 2:47 pm
dont you use a straw to blow?
Oct. 16, 2008 at 10:31 am
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.
Oct. 25, 2008 at 3:35 pm
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.
Oct. 31, 2008 at 8:01 pm
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.
Nov. 4, 2008 at 4:46 pm
my race is in 4 days and i havent started making my boat!
i am to try this
Nov. 4, 2008 at 4:49 pm
i am sending the person who made this flowers
Jan. 24, 2009 at 7:12 pm
I hope it works
Jan. 29, 2009 at 2:15 pm
AWSOME
Jan. 29, 2009 at 7:57 pm
this boat rocks
Feb. 22, 2009 at 8:55 am
i am going to look at the instructions on this website and hope to win
Mar. 22, 2009 at 3:07 pm
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.
Apr. 2, 2009 at 12:20 pm
It’s not all about winning…
Apr. 16, 2009 at 6:34 pm
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!
Apr. 17, 2009 at 4:39 pm
this boat rocks!
Apr. 20, 2009 at 8:55 am
My boy won 1st place with this design. This is a keeper for future regattas! Thanks a bunch.
Apr. 22, 2009 at 6:19 pm
thats cool!
Apr. 22, 2009 at 9:42 pm
i hope this works cause this is my first time
Apr. 30, 2009 at 6:17 pm
cools
May. 9, 2009 at 9:00 am
I hope I come in 1st with these directions!
May. 20, 2009 at 3:26 pm
I hope I come in 1st
.
May. 24, 2009 at 4:36 pm
this is my first time
Jun. 6, 2009 at 5:26 pm
We gotta win this race, even though we don’t know how to do it.
Jul. 4, 2009 at 9:18 am
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!