Balsa Raingutter Boat Kits

Your raingutter regatta boat requires some up front design in addition to assembly. If properly constructed from this kit, it may be blown across a ten-foot, water-filled raingutter in less than 3 seconds.

Preparation

Assembly

In general, a fast hydroplane hull is constructed like a box. A flat bottom turned up in front helps it jump to the surface of the water. Be sure to "Deck-o-rate" your boat for the design competition. Please note the optional steps. It will take at least 2 days to build a good boat. Use good cutting techniques to cut the wood pieces.

These steps show how to make the simplest, fast, balsa hull. Feel free to alter the design. Be mindful of the effect of changes on speed. The steps below approximate a curved-up bow using two flat plates. Building this way is easier than bending it and the speed is not reduced. Design bumpers into the bow and the sides of the sail into the stern as shown, or make a taller hull. When floating, a one-ounce kit-boat sinks about an eighth of an inch (draft). Blow it properly and the bottom of your hull can skim the water surface at great speed.

1. (Optional) Pick a theme. Draw a boat side view on graph paper to actual size. Runners should overhang the sides 1/4 inch beyond the bottom of the hull.
2. Cut out the side pieces, flat bottom and the two bow plates of the hull from your balsa sheet. Balsa should be cut with a hobby knife (recommended), but a good scissors will work except for tight curves. Use your drawing as a pattern.
3. To glue these hull pieces together, prefit them, tweak them, glue them and tape them together loosely until dry. Check corners with something "square".

   Just a little wood glue immediately bonds the wood. When dry, apply more glue on the inside of the joint to strengthen.

4. Cut out the back part of the hull, the deck and the sail cover.
5. Glue them on, holding them in place with tape.
6. When dry, remove all tape and add more glue to the new joints.
7. Weigh hull, sail material and deck-o-rations. If they total less than an ounce, add coins or weights inside your hull. Secure with glue.
8. After narrowing the card to fit the back of the boat, bend it into the openning to see that it fits well. Tweak it if necessary to improve the fit.
9. With the card where you want it, apply glue with a toothpick or thin brush to the edges of the sail. Add more later. Be sure to paint over these joints so water does not penetrate the sail and make the paper soggy.
10. (Optional) Add deck-o-rations.
11. (Optional) Coat with sanding sealer. Sand when dry. Repeat for a smooth finish.
12. Paint with paint that is not water soluble when dry (unless coating with polyurethane).
13. (Optional) Coat with polyurethane. Allow a day or two to dry completely.
14. (Optional) Rub hull bottom with warm paraffin or ski wax.