The raingutter regatta is a racing event for
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts, Cubs or Wolf Cubs are programs associated with Scouting for young children usually between 7 and 12, depending on the organization to which they belong. A participant in the program is called a Cub. A group of Cubs is called a 'P ...
in the
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA, colloquially the Boy Scouts) is one of the largest scouting organizations and one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with about 1.2 million youth participants. The BSA was founded ...
that is the
sailboat
A sailboat or sailing boat is a boat propelled partly or entirely by sails and is smaller than a sailing ship. Distinctions in what constitutes a sailing boat and ship vary by region and maritime culture.
Types
Although sailboat terminolo ...
equivalent of the
pinewood derby. The sailboat kit consists of a seven-inch (178 mm) long
balsa wood
''Ochroma pyramidale'', commonly known as the balsa tree, is a large, fast-growing tree native to the Americas. It is the sole member of the genus ''Ochroma''. The tree is famous for its wide usage in woodworking, with the name ''balsa'' bei ...
hull, a -inch mast, plastic
sail, plastic
rudder
A rudder is a primary control surface used to steer a ship, boat, submarine, hovercraft, aircraft, or other vehicle that moves through a fluid medium (generally air or water). On an aircraft the rudder is used primarily to counter adve ...
, and metal
keel
The keel is the bottom-most longitudinal structural element on a vessel. On some sailboats, it may have a hydrodynamic and counterbalancing purpose, as well. As the laying down of the keel is the initial step in the construction of a ship, in Br ...
. Within the basic design rules, Scouts are free to paint and decorate their sailboats as they choose. Modifications for speed include the placement of the keel and rudder and the size, shape and location of the sail. A
catamaran is an exceptionally fast design, although this modification is not allowed in all races.
The boats are raced in a standard
rain gutter
A rain gutter, eavestrough, eaves-shoot or surface water collection channel is a component of a water discharge system for a building. It is necessary to prevent water dripping or flowing off roofs in an uncontrolled manner for several reasons ...
that is ten feet long, placed on a table or
saw horse
In woodworking, a saw-horse or sawhorse (saw-buck, trestle, buck) is a trestle structure used to support a board or plank for sawing. A pair of sawhorses can support a plank, forming a scaffold. In certain circles, it is also known as a ''m ...
s, and filled to the top with water. The boats are propelled by blowing on the sail, either directly or through a
drinking straw
A drinking straw is a utensil that is intended to carry the contents of a beverage to one's mouth. Straws are commonly made from plastics but environmental concerns and new regulation have led to rise in reusable and biodegradable straws. These ...
; the boat cannot be touched with hands or the straw. The first boat to reach the end of the gutter is the winner. The overall winner is determined by an
elimination system.
Other races
Other youth groups have adopted the event for their programs under different names:
*
Christian Service Brigade
Christian Service Brigade (CSB) (a.k.a. CSB Ministries) is a non-denominational Christian organization for men and boys in the United States and Canada.Christian Service Brigade Canada Often referred to as "Brigade," it is organized according to a ...
: Shape N Sail Derby
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Pioneer Clubs: Sailboat Race
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Awana Clubs: Awana Regatta, Sail On Night
See also
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Space derby
*
Kon-Tiki (Scouting Event)
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Model yachting
Model yachting is the pastime of building and racing model yachts. It has always been customary for ship-builders to make a miniature model of the vessel under construction, which is in every respect a copy of the original on a small scale, whet ...
*
Ship model
Ship models or model ships are scale models of ships. They can range in size from 1/6000 scale wargaming miniatures to large vessels capable of holding people.
Ship modeling is a craft as old as shipbuilding itself, stretching back to ancien ...
*
Radio-controlled boat
A radio-controlled boat is a boat or ship model controlled remotely with radio control equipment.
Type
Fun sport
Electric sport boats are the most common type of boat amongst casual hobbyists. Hobby-quality boat speed generally start at a ...
*
Bicycle rodeo
References
External links
Boy Scouts of America
Scouting events
Model boats
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