Raingutter Regatta

1.  Guidelines

     A special note to all parents and scouts:  Together, please read the concluding article on SPORTSMANSHIP.  Any un-sportsmanlike conduct by any participant or spectator will be grounds for removable from event area.

The FIRST thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills are a little different.  You can always be a good person, whether or not you have good-building skills.  This is called respect for others.

The SECOND thing to remember is to follow the rules.  This is often called being honest.

The THIRD thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition.  If you win, you must not brag or gloat.  If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter.  To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say "I did my best" and be happy for the winners but remember we ALL are winners.

2.  Ground Rules for Racing

    a.  The race is open to all Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos and Den Chiefs registered in Breaks District.

      b.  Each scout may enter one boat and the boat must be built during the current year (the school in which the Regatta is held).

      c.  If the boat becomes damaged and can be repaired in a reasonable amount of time, the race will be run again.

      d.  NO ONE will be allowed inside the roped area except the JUDGES and the Cub Scouts racing at that time

3.  Competition

     a.  Scouts will race with other scouts friom their same rank.  Example:  Tigers will race only Tiger and etc.

      b.  The race will involve two 10-foot lengths of pipeline filled with water.

      c.  The race begins once the official starter has placed the competing boats against the back wall of the gutter and commands the scout to "GO!"

      d.  On the starter's command, the scouts will blow into the sail of their boat in order to advance them through the water.  Once the race has started, the scout CANNOT touch his boat with his hands. The Cub Scout may not be lifted, pushed, or guided down the raceway. If this happens, the contestant will be disqualified.

      e.  If a capsized or stuck boat is righted, or a scout's face, lips, hat, nose or other body parts touches the boat, the boat must be returned, by the judge, to the starting position to continue racing.

      f.  The first boat to cross the finish line is the winner of that heat.  The finish line official will have the finial and only say in determining the winner of that heat. The winners of each heat will advance until a single winner is determined.  The race will be run as a double elimination format.

4.  Rewards and Recognition

     a.  Every participating Scout will receive a Rain Gutter Participation Certificate and Patch.

     b.  Boats from each rank may be awarded appearance awards of Certificates.  Judges will award creativity and worksmanship.  Medals will be awarded to the First, Second, and Third Place finishers in each Pack and First, Second, and Third Place trophies will be awarded in each rank.

5.  Registration

     Please pre-register before the day of the race.  If you register on race day please have your Cub master or Den Leader to register your child.  Parent or Guardian must sign registration form before child can race.  All Den Cheif who are participating must also register and pay a registration fee.

 6. Boat  Specifications

     a.  Must be made from BSA Rain Gutter Regatta kits.  Sails cannot be enlarged, but can be decorated.

     b.  HULL:  Overall length from bow to stern (including rudder) shall not exceed 7 inches, nor shorter than 6 1/2 inches. Must remain in a single hull.

     c.  MAST:  No taller than 6 1/2 inches from the deck surface. The bottom edge of the sail needed to be about 1 inch above the deck of the boat.

      d.  SAIL:  Supplied with the B.S.A. Raingutter Regatta Kit. The sail may be trimmed and shapped, but may not be larger than the material supplied.

     e.  Decorations such as sailors, cannons, etc. may be added. All such decorations must be firmly fastened to the boat, and may not be placed in such a manner as to change the boat dimensions as listed above.

7.  Boat Assembly

    a.  SHAPING:  Do not round the sides for hull. (Less rounded is more stable than a more rounded hull).  Any Gouges can be repaired with spackle or latex caulk (sandable)

    b.  KEEL & RUDDER:  Sand the bottom front corner with the sandpaper used above.  Use epoxy or hot glue to install into the slot at the back of the boat body

    c.  MAST:  Point one end of each using the sand paper, install mast by twisting into boat body approx. 2 to 2 1/2" from bow (front of the boat) in the center side to side.  Remove and then glue back into place.

    d.  SAIL:  Cut a slanted slot into the mast about 3/4" from the top.  Glue the sail into it and attach the bottom of sail in a similar manner.  The bottom edge of the sail needed to be 1 inch above the deck of the boat.  If the sail is too low the corners rub against the gutter or dip in the water.  If the sail is too high the boat will be top heavy and tip over.

   e.  PAINTING:  If you paint your sailboat body then it MUST BE PAINTED 48 HRS BEFORE RACEING.  Use "Krylon" spray paint--It dries to sandable in about one minute on the balsa hulls.  DO NOT use water base paint, markers,  water colors, or finger paint to paint your boat.  If you do use water base paint  your boat will be disqualified.

                     ALL DECISIONS OF THE JUDGES ARE FINAL!!!

Two things the Raingutter Regatta requires each participant to learn are:

1. The craft skill necessary to build a boat.

2. The rules that must be followed. Even more important, though, is how we act and behave while participating in the Raingutter Regatta or any other group activity. This is called SPORTSMANSHIP.

The first thing to remember about sportsmanship is that everyone's skills is a little different. This doesn't mean that you are a good person one time and not good another time. You can always be a good person whether or not you have good boat-building skills. Remember, you and your friends are individuals first and racers second. This idea is often called having RESPECT for others.

The second thing to remember is to follow the rules. Without rules, there would be no Raingutter Regatta. You will never know if you are really good at doing something unless you follow the rules. This is often called being HONEST..

The third thing to remember about good sportsmanship is that there are winners and losers in every competition. You accept this when you choose to compete. There may be times when you win and feel happy, and times when you lose and feel unhappy. Being a winner is easy and losing is sometimes hard. If you win, you must not brag or gloat. If you lose, you must not feel jealous or bitter. To be a good sportsman, you must be able to say, "I DID MY BEST" and be satisfied with the results. You must also be able to appreciate and feel happy for someone else when he runs a good race or build a neat boat.

 DEN LEADERS

Den Leaders should talk about good sportsmanship prior to the event, as it is a good lesson in the joy of winning and the "agony of defeat" similar to the Pinewood Derby.