Monroe Chat

Raingutter Regatta 2007

Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Monroe United Methodist
Church (Rear Shelter)
6:15-6:35 p.m. Check-In
6:40 p.m. Race Begins
Boat kits will be distributed at the September 11 Pack Meeting


Ahoy, mates! This could be the sailing regatta of the century! Although the seas
are only 10-foot lengths of raingutter filled with water, and the ships a mere 6
inches long, the race is a very 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.
The regatta boat kit, provided by the Pack from the Scout Shop, has a pre-shaped
balsa hull, metal keel and plastic rudder and sail. The hulls are sanded, shaped, and
painted. Hull and sail are then decorated. The boats race in pairs on raingutter
courses, propelled by the boys blowing into the sails with a drink straw.
The actual “race” will be divided into age categories: Tiger, Wolf, Bear and
Webelos. Each age group will race amongst themselves in double-elimination
format. The top three finishers in each category will advance to a packwide
championship. The race will involve two lanes of “rain gutters”. The boys are to
blow air on the boats in order to advance them through the water. Hands are only
to be used to upright a turned over ship, and are not to be used to advance the boat.
In addition, boys should not use their faces, lips, hats, nose or other bodily parts to
move the boat – just the air in their lungs!

Was a great success !

Seamed that many of the 'Daddys' were as avidly involved as their little cub scouts

Adjustments were made to the format ensuring a more expedient evening - Ribbons for participation as well as placements were issued...

Great job all !!!

Heh, I asked a couple of the boys whether they enjoyed helping to make their boats. One boy answered, "Yeah, it was fun. I only got to watch, though, I didn't get to do any sanding or anything."

Ah well, as long as it was a father/son effort I don't sweat the division of labor too much. The rule in our house when it comes to regatta boats and Pinewood Derby cars is ... the boy makes all design decisions, does most of the cutting (supervised/assisted), and ALL of the sanding. Then, Dad makes it fast(er).

-Bob

I really enjoyed the race. I thought it would be nice to consider having two races next year to speed up the event. I'm sure the parents would donate money for two extra gutters. I am a parent of a tiger cub and felt bad for the other kids having to wait so long.

bkdk wrote:I really enjoyed the race. I thought it would be nice to consider having two races next year to speed up the event. I'm sure the parents would donate money for two extra gutters. I am a parent of a tiger cub and felt bad for the other kids having to wait so long.

It cost me exactly $9.45 to build the "practice" gutter I have. I certainly don't mind donating it and another $9.45 gutter.

By the way, I started a discussion thread on the Pack959 forum looking for input on ways we could improve the event in the future. I'd encourage anyone associated with the pack to register on our Pack forum and feel free to contribute.

http://forum.pack959.net

-Bob

I will happily donate $10 to facilitate the need ...to whom would I write the check ?

- reviewing the website also

BobH wrote:It cost me exactly $9.45 to build the "practice" gutter I have. I certainly don't mind donating it and another $9.45 gutter.

By the way, I started a discussion thread on the Pack959 forum looking for input on ways we could improve the event in the future. I'd encourage anyone associated with the pack to register on our Pack forum and feel free to contribute.

http://forum.pack959.net

-Bob