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How to Make Raingutter Regatta Holders

The Raingutter Regatta is an event developed by the Boy Scouts of America for the younger age group, the Cub Scouts. In this competition, Scouts build and paint a balsa wood sail boat that they then race against one another down a length of pipe by blowing on the toy boat's sail. Raingutters, however, are not necessarily the best material to use for the trough in which the boats can be raced. The thin aluminum can easily cause cuts on children's fingers, and without adequate support, the raingutters can spill, creating a mess on the floor.

Things You'll Need

8-inch-diameter PVC pipe in your choice of length
2 PVC pipe caps
PVC pipe sealant
Reciprocating saw
2 wood sawhorses
2-by-4 lumber
Nails
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Coat the inside lip of each of the PVC pipe caps with the PVC sealant, install the pipe caps at the ends of the PVC pipe, and then allow them to dry completely before continuing.
- 2
  Cut the PVC tube in half lengthwise. This will form the "raingutters" for your regatta. The PVC pipe will be more sturdy and safer to use than an actual aluminum raingutter would be.
- 3
  With the reciprocating saw, cut eight triangles out of the 2-by-4 lumber that measure 4 inches high with a 6-inch base
- 4
  Set up the sawhorses so that they are parallel to one another. Place one of the triangles on the top beam of the sawhorse so that the triangle's 6-inch long base is parallel with the top beam of the sawhorse. The edge of the triangle's base needs to be flush with the end of the beam. Secure this triangle to the sawhorse by driving a nail into each side with a hammer. In this fashion, attach a triangle to both sides of both of the sawhorse's top beams.
- 5
  Lay the PVC pipe beside the triangle in the manner in which it will be set up. The open end of the pipe should be faced up like a trough, and the curved bottom end of the pipe should touch both the sawhorse's center beam and the side of the triangle you just installed.
- 6
  Place another triangle opposite of the first triangle that you installed so that it holds the PVC pipe without allowing it to roll. Drive a nail into the triangle to secure it in place, and then do the same for the other three places where the PVC pipe rests on the sawhorses. With all the triangles installed, the construction of the Raingutter Regatta is complete.

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