Ahoy, Mates! This could be the sailing regatta of the century! Although the seas are only 10-foot lengths of rain gutter filled with water, and the ships are a mere 6 inches long, the race is an exciting event. Each boy builds his own boat, with supervision and help from parents or other family members. He also provides the wind for the sail with his own lung power.

Have your boat ready for the Rain gutter Regatta the appropriate pack meeting.

Regatta Rules (from "How to Book" and parent meeting 12/7/06)

1. Rigging for sail allowed but stay with the kit.
2. Can add accessories.
3. No catamarans.
4. Hull may be no longer than 7 inches nor shorter than 6 .5 inches.
5. Mast should measure 6 ½ inches from deck to top.
6. The keel and rudder supplied in the kit must be used with no alterations.
7. The sail should be no larger than the material supplied in the kit.

Make a stand of short Popsicle sticks (2 x's connected)

Construction Tips for the "How To Book"

1. Sandpaper the balsa hull to the desired shape, adhering to the specifications required. First use a medium-grade sandpaper, then finish with a very fine grade sandpaper.
2. Give model two coats of sanding sealer.
3. Mast can be tapered with either a hand or electric drill. While you carefully turn the dowel, work a piece of sandpaper back and forth until desired shape is achieved.
4. Give entire model two coast of colored lacquer.

Raingutter Regatta

Ahoy, mates! This could be the sailing regatta of the century! Although the seas are only 10-foot lengths of rain gutter filled with water, and the ships are a mere 6 inches long, the race is an exciting event. Each boy builds his own boat, with supervision and help from parents or other family members. He also provides the wind for the sail vith his own lung power. The regatta committee sets simple rules and informs each rack family before the boats are built. The race can be indoors or outdoors, but water is sure to splash, so take that into consideration. In planning the derby, the
committee should follow the guidelines for planning special pack activities to be certain nothing important is overlooked

The regatta boat kit, available from your Scout distributor, has a pre-maded balsa hull, metal keel, and plastic sail. can also be run with rubber-band powered boats or boats such as those found in the Model Boats elective in the Wolf Cub Scout Book. Several classes could be raced, so long as they fit in the raceway.

Regatta boat kits can be purchased individually or in packs of eight, It is more economical for the committee to buy them in quantity and distribute them to pack families along with rules, tips on construction, and any other helpful information. Also available are regatta trophies, medals, ribbons, and plaster casting molds.

RAINGUTTER COURSE

The most popular course is simply a standard raingutter 10 feet long set in grooves on two sawhorses. A double raceway can be built as shown. It is a simple wood frame that supports two 10-feet lengths of raingutter filled with 8 gallons of water. The frame is designed so it can be easily assembled and dismantled for storage.

With the gutters and sawhorses in place, put a small amount of water into each gutter to make sure it is level. Even on the most level floors or ground, some adjustments may be necessary. Once the gutters are full, it is difficult to move them without causing a minor flood. After making any needed adjustments, fill the gutter to 1/2 inch from the top.

Recattas may also be held at a swimming pool or lake.

REGAlIA PROCEDURE

1. Boys take regatta boats to inspection table to be checked and numbered.
2. They take their boats to the registration table where the name and boat number of each contestant are entered on the heat sheet.
3. The race is run in heats. The boats are propelled by boys blowing into the sails. Start with the boat's stern touching the end of the gutter. The starter stands at the opposite end with his hands raised. When he drop his hand, the boys begin to blow. With a double race way, two boys compete at the same time and the first boat to reach the end of the gutter wins. Once the race has started, the boys may not touch the boats with their hands.
4. Winners of the first heats compete against each other in second heat, and third, etc., until a final winner is determined.
5. On courses other than the raingutter, boats must be held by the pilots at the starting line and released at a signal. No pushing is allowed. The first boat to cross the finish line is winner of that heat. If two or motorboats run afoul, there is no contest and the heat is re-run.

SAMPLE REGATTA RULES

* Hull may be no longer than 7 inches nor shorter than 6 1/2 inches.
* Mast should measure 6½ inches from deck to top
* The keel and rudder supplied in the kit must be used with no alterations.
* The sail should be no larger than the material supplied in the kit.
* There are no restrictions on color or design.

CONSTRUCTION TIPS

* Sandpaper the balsa hull to the desired shape, adhering to the specifications required. First use a medium-grade sandpaper, then finish with a very fine grade sandpaper.
* Give model two coats of sanding sealer.
* Mast can be tapered with either a hand or electric drill. While you carefully turn the dowel, work a piece of sandpaper back and forth until desired shape is achieved.
* Give entire model two coats of colored lacquer.

Anniversary Week Activities

The anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America is celebrated each February by packs all around the country. The annual blue and gold banquet is usually the highlight of the month. In addition, there are a number of other activities which can be used to mark Scouting's birthday and help make your pack visible in the community.

RELiGIOUS SERVICES

Many packs attend church or synagogue in uniform on Scout Sunday or Scout Sabbath. In some churches and synagogues, Cub Scouts take part in the services.

OPEN HOUSE

Have a pack open house for non-member friends and their families. Hand out copies of the "Join Us" or "Cub Scouting and a Boy" flier. Display items the boys have made during the year, den doodles, den and pack awards, ceremony boards, etc. Play games, sing songs, serve refreshments.

WEAR ThE UNIFORM

Cub Scouts are encouraged to wear their uniforms to school one day during Scouting Anniversary Week. This might be on their regular den meeting day, or on the BSA's birthday, February 8, if it is a school day.

DEMONSTRATIONS

One of the best ways to mark Anniversary Week is with a live demonstration. This could be held after school or all day Saturday wherever there is plenty of pedestrian traffic, such as a shopping center, vacant lot, centrally-located park, or even a large store display window. Show Cub Scouting in action -boys racing pinewood derby cars