About Raingutter Regatta
The Raingutter Regatta is an annual outdoor racing event for Cub Scouts. It is much less formal and not as competitive as Pinewood Derby. Weather can play a huge role in the outcome of each race.
With parents’ help scout assemble a standard BSA kit and decorate it. During race scouts propel their trimarans by gently blowing air at them. Hands must be behind one’s back to avoid touching trimaran.Patience is key, as strong gusts will make trimaran submerge it’s nose under water.
All scouts get to race at least twice. If a trimaran loses two races, it gets removed from the Regatta.
Our pack also has a design competition with a few categories to choose from.
How to Participate
- Get an official BSA Raingutter Regatta Racing Trimaran Kit
- Select a category for the design competition.
- Decorate with water-proof paint and accessories
- Sign up to contribute to the Pack 197 pot luck (not this year – bring water and snacks)
- Get registration number (on site). Registration number will be stickered to the top of the mast.
- Read and follow Pack 197 Raingutter Regatta rules (see below)!
- Come up with a novel design and build your car with proper clearance and within size restrictions.
- The boat owner (registered scout) must be present at race time.
- Scouts are welcome to wear class B uniform.
Pack 197 Official Regatta Rules
- Paint and decorations must be water proof!
- Stick to the standard kit:
- Sails cannot be creased, folded or wrapped around boat mast. Sail must be mounted using standard holes and middle part should gently bow forward.
- Maximum boat hull width (not counting sail) is 3 3/8 inches if you have parts sticking out from sides you will hit the gutter and go slow
- Must use all parts from kit (2 outriggers, trimaran hull, 4 screws, mast, and sail)
- No motors or other power sources allowed, boats must run on Scout wind power only.
- Mast must not be shortened and sail size must not be increased. Stick to parts in the standard kit!
- Nothing may extend past front point or rear point of outriggers, so maximum total
boat length is 6 3/4 inches
- No one can touch trimaran in water, except for race officials.
- Every boat will race at least twice. Whenever boat looses a total of two races (in any order) it is removed from further racing.
- Trophies are awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.
