The Raingutter Regatta is a parent-scout project. Please feel free to give guidance and minimal assistance, appropriate to the age of your Scout, as she or he builds their Raingutter Regatta boat. This is a chance for your scout (and siblings) to be part of a team (during boat construction) and to enjoy the spirit of friendly competition with their peers. Since this is a scout (or sibling) powered event, the object is to have the boats as equal as possible and have the race rely on the Scout (or sibling) himself.

Your scout will receive their boat kit in advance of race day and scouts should plan to arrive at the Druker Center with their completed boat AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE the start of the scout's den races.

RULES:

The RainGutter Regatta race is open to all Scouts registered in Pack 3079.

- Each competitor is limited to one boat.  The boat should be a new one this year.

- Each scout's boat is subject to a technical inspection to verify that meets the prescribed specifications.

- The boat must have been built using only the kit handed out at the Pack meeting or purchased (BSA Raingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kit NO. 612513)

  a.     The Pack will supply one Trimaran boat kit free of charge to all registered Cub Scouts of Pack 3079

  b.     We will have a few additional boat kits available for purchase for $6/ea if a new kit is needed at the race. You may also purchase boat kits prior to the race at the Scout shop.

- If a boat becomes damaged, and upon the official's permission, the Scout may be allotted a short span of time to make (reasonable) repair to the boat before the next race. Time will be determined by the race official ONLY.

- Only the race official can determine if a race needs to be rerun due to boat damage or outside interference.

- All decisions by race officials are FINAL. Remember this is a friendly competition.

SPORTSMANSHIP and FUN are the main objectives for the Scouts and all to enjoy.

Boat Specifications:

To ensure that the race is as fair as possible, boats must be made from the official BSARaingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kit (NO. 612513). All parts (2 outriggers, polymer hull, mast, sail and 4 screws) provided in the kit must be used in the boat construction. (no substitutions are allowed). If you are missing parts in your kit, contact your Den Leader for replacements. If in the process of building, the kit becomes damaged beyond repair or the Scout would just like to start over, a new kit may be purchased from the Pack. (The first has been purchased for you by the Pack).

Here are the boat construction details to be aware of: 

- Outriggers/Hull: The Outriggers must be no longer than 7" or shorter than 6 ½". The finished boat must be 3-1/4" wide, which is the dimension of the molded hull in the kit (any wider and it may not fit in the raingutter). The outriggers must be solid and not split into multiple parts and must be evenly placed. The outriggers should be cut on the leading edge as shown in the enclosed instructions. One may not be placed ahead of the other. (Basically, the Trimaran Boat should look like a Trimaran Boat displayed on the box.)  

****The boat requires no keel or rudder and none may be added. No other form of propulsion besides the sail is allowed.

- Sail: Must use the sail provided in the kit. It may be trimmed and decorated, but cannot be enlarged or added to in order to increase size. The sail may only be attached to the mast by glue (this is highly recommended) - no mechanical fasteners will be allowed. The sail may not be in contact with any part of the boat except the mast.

Tip: If a sail is placed too high, the boat can become top-heavy and tends to tip over. A well-secured sail makes the boat easier to handle in the water.

- Mast: The mast hole is molded into the top of the plastic hull and is the only placement allowed for the mast - no deviations /modifications to the hole are allowed. The top of the mast may not be higher than 7" from the deck, nor shorter than 6" from the deck. The mast MUST BE perpendicular (90 degrees) to the hull - angling the mast in any direction is not allowed.

- Painting: Sailboat body should be painted at least 24 hours before racing to allow sufficient time to dry. Do not use water-soluble paints. If the paint is wet at registration, the boat will not be allowed to compete!

- Decorations such as sailors, cannons, Lego figures, etc. may be added as long as they are firmly fastened to the boat. The decorations may not be placed in such a manner as to change the boat dimensions as listed above. Stickers, decals, and other objects may be added to customize your boat - use your imagination!

Inspection and Registration:

- Prior to inspection and registration you may take a practice run, provided that setup is complete and time is available.  Practice runs are not guaranteed!

- Each boat must pass an inspection and be registered before it may compete. (If it looks like the boat in the instructions and fits in the raingutter you should be okay.)

- Please allow yourself time to pass inspection and make any small adjustments as needed before registration cut-off.

- A minimal amount of craft supplies and volunteers may be available to assist in any last minute needed modifications to the boats.  Please plan to arrive at the Drucker center will the boat building completed.

Competition:

- Once all boats are registered for each rank (30 minutes before planned race time), the competition brackets will be seeded. Scouts will start by racing with other Scouts from their same rank (Tigers, Wolves, etc.)

- Each race heat will be in an inflatable raceway, approximately 10 feet long, placed side by side and filled with ~4 gallons of water.

- The race heat begins once the official starter has placed the competing boats against the back wall of the gutter and commands the racers to "Get on your Mark... and "BLOW!"

- On the "BLOW!" command, the racers will blow into the sail of their boats in order to advance them through the water. The boat can only be propelled by blowing into the sail. Once the race has begun, the racer CANNOT touch their boat - pushing the boat forward is NOT allowed.

- Blowing is only allowed with the mouth and no external objects, such as a straw, to be fair to all participants.

- Once the race begins, the boat may not be altered, including applying any materials to the bottom of the boat

- If a boat capsizes or becomes stuck it will righted by a race official only.

- If a boat is touched by the racer's face, lips, hat, nose or other part of their body then the boat will be returned to the starting position to continue racing

- The first boat to touch the opposite end of the Raingutter with its nose will be considered the winner of that heat.

- The finish line official(s) will have the final and only say in determining the winner. In the unlikely event of a tie, the racers will be given a chance to catch their breath then the heat will be rerun.

- Racers will need to report their finishing position to the scorer immediately after the race

- Unsportsmanlike conduct by any participant may be grounds for expulsion from the competition and/or the race area.

Sportsmanship:

 SPORTSMANSHIP and FUN are the main objectives for the Scouts and all to enjoy. The most important values in Raingutter Regatta competition are parent/son participation, good sportsmanship and learning how to follow rules