2018

Raingutter Regatta Rules

Each participant may enter one boat in the competition. The boat must have been built during the current school year. Boats that have competed in a previous year are not permitted.

Boat Specifications:

Boats must be made from the official BSA Raingutter Regatta Trimaran Boat Kit. 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!)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. 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. The mast may not be higher than 7” from the deck, nor shorter than 6” from the deck. The boat requires no keel or rudder and none may be added.

Sail: Must use the sail provided in the kit. It may be trimmed, but cannot be enlarged or added to, but may be decorated. The sail may only be attached to the mast by glue (this is highly recommended), no mechanical fasteners will be allowed and the sail may not be in contact with any part of the boat except the mast.The mast hole is molded into the top of the plastic hull and is the only placement allowed for the mast. No deviations will be allowed and no modifications to the hole are allowed. The mast MUST BE perpendicular (90 degrees) to the hull, angling the mast in any direction is not allowed.Decorations may not be placed in such a manner as to change the boat dimensions as listed above. It is HIGHLY recommended that the boat be painted or at the very least seal the outriggers to prevent them from retaining water.Once the race begins, the boat may not be altered, including applying any materials to the bottom of the boat.

Competition:

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

On the starter's command, the Scouts will blow into the sail of their boat in order to advance them through the water. The boat can only be propelled by blowing into the sail.

Once the race is started, the boat may not be touched, unless instructed by the race official.

The finish line official will have the final and ONLY say in determining the winner of that heat. If the finish line official determines the race to have finished in a tie, that heat will be immediately re-run.

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. Remember we are here to have FUN. All decisions by race officials are FINAL.