🛠️ Pack 662 Rain Gutter Regatta Guide
Welcome to Pack 662’s First Annual Rain Gutter Regatta! This guide has everything you need to prepare your Scout for race day—from boat building tips to what to bring, rules, and more. Whether you’re new to Scouting or just new to the Regatta, we’ve got you covered.
📅 Event Details
- Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
- Time: 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Location: Moose Lodge, Escondido
- Address: 25721 Jesmond Dene Rd, Escondido, CA
⚓ What Is the Rain Gutter Regatta?
The Rain Gutter Regatta is a classic Cub Scout event where Scouts build, decorate, and race small sailboats down water-filled rain gutters using only their own breath to propel the boat. It’s fast-paced, silly, splashy fun!
If you’re unfamiliar with how the boat race works, during the Rain Gutter Regatta, sailboats are raced down a length of water-filled rain gutters, powered by the Scout blowing into the sail through a soda straw. Each Scout races in several heats, and the fastest time determines the winner. The best technique for winning is to practice blowing hard in a small, concentrated area. The last thing you’ll want to do is make yourself lightheaded by blowing the sails too hard and too often without catching your breath!
Practice testing your sailboat at a pond or pool before the race, concentrating on the airflow, or taking deep breaths to maximize air output. If you want to practice in the backyard or host your race with friends any time of year, you can purchase a Raingutter Regatta Inflatable Raceway. It’s great for the official Rain Gutter Regatta, but you can have this raceway ready in just five minutes to create some instant fun anytime and anywhere! Bring the raceway, boats, and friends with you, inflate the course, and you’re ready to go!
🧳 What to Bring
- Your Scout’s Regatta Boat (pre-built and ready to go)
- Camping Chairs for your group
- Towel (boats splash and water spills happen)
- Water bottle – stay hydrated
- Hat or sunscreen if outdoors
🛠️ Boat Guidelines
Scouts should use the official BSA Rain Gutter Regatta kit, available from Shane.
Basic Boat Requirements:
- You must use all the pieces in the Trimaran Boat Kit.
- You cannot add weights to your sailboat.
- No sails may be used other than the one supplied in the official kit.
- The sail must be mounted on the mast using holes provided in the sail. The sail may be glued to the mast at the two points of contact with holes in the sail.
- You cannot glue your sail to any other point of the hull.
- The maximum length is 6 3/4″ long, and the minimum length should be no less than the length of the hull provided in the kit.
- The mast may not be shortened.
Need a kit?
Text Shane at to arrange pickup.
🏁 Race Format & Rules
- Races will be head-to-head, with two boats racing side-by-side in the gutter
- We will use a double elimination bracket—Scouts must lose twice to be eliminated
- Scouts will get multiple races and plenty of fun, even if they don’t win early rounds
- No touching the boat during the race
- Scouts must blow into the sail to move the boat—no hands, fans, or other help
- The winner is determined by the first boat to cross the finish line
🏆 Awards
- Fastest Boat
- Best Design
- Most Creative Theme
- Scout Spirit Award (for cheering, attitude, and effort)
🎥 Tips & Video Tutorials
Here are some great resources to help your Scout build and prepare:
❓FAQ
What if my Scout didn’t sign up yet?
No problem! Just comment on the Band event post and contact Shane to get a boat kit. Deadline is July 5th!
Do we have to use the official kit?
Yes – for fairness and simplicity, we’re using the BSA Rain Gutter Regatta kit. Contact Shane for a kit.
Can we decorate the boat?
Absolutely! Be creative — just keep it light and balanced.
Can siblings (Dragons) race too?
They’re welcome to build and test boats for fun and can participate in the official races and awards.
If you have any other questions or need help building your boat, reach out in Band or contact Shane directly.
Let’s make this a day to remember – see you at the races! 🚩
