AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 148, 23 June 1923, Page 21

AQUATICS.

(By SPEEDWELL.) The boat-building firms in Auckland at the present time are decidedly busy, a very good sign co early in the winter. The most pleasing fealnre is the number of sailing craft on order, chief of which is the eight-metre yacht, which the firm lof C. Bailey jun. is building for Mr. W. jP. Endean. The other sailers include a 1 26 ft mullet boat which T. Lo Iluquet, of IDevonport, is building for Mr. '"Punch" Windsor, a line wholesome cruiser, 3Sft overall, building for Mr. Roy Henderson, a 22-footer being built by Bailey and I Lowe to order of Mr. Tanner, another |2G-footer well in hand by J. 11. Slatjtery for Mr. L. Reynard, two 22-footers ibeing built privately, at least two boats for the new M class of 18ft patikis, and last but not least three 14-foot one-design class boats on order at C. Bailey's yard. This is indeed a goodly total, and is far and away ahead of anything since preju.ir times In addition the- j,. si:re to ■be a number of amateur built boats in the J small classes bucli as tho 14 and 19-foot square bilge boats, and the 14-foot handicap class, which is gradually absorbing the out-classed one-design boats. With the groat increase in the small classes which have become so popular during the past three years, there is a danger of tho classes becoming unweildy. Especi-ally-is this tho case in the 14-foot handicap class. The position will become more acute next season when racing in the one-design class will bo confined to Rona and possibly only one or two others l«?sides the new boats. It would be a good idea to have a special handicap class for boats Dot built to the present plans which might be termed ex-one-designers. A similar .-lass was established in England for ex-24-foot linear raters when a change in the rules gave the old boats little chance of winning. This would keep the present fleet together and make good, keen racing for some time to come, and the handicaps would only be light. Speedwell will give a prize for bucli a class to the first club to adopt this idea. INo doubt in certain quarters this idea will be hailed as an admission that the one-designers are not really such, and be a signal to heap further abuse on a

class which has done more than any other to create an interest in our sport throughout the Dominion, and will continue to do so in spite of would-be aquatic scribes. i Tho Akarana Yacht Club will hold their 27th annual presentation of prizes in the Masonic Hall,, Princes Street on Saturday, July 21. This club has not departed from the system of giving the majority of prizes in tlie shape of trophies, over one hundred being the total for the past season. Kach year one or two of the prizes which require to be won several times are finally won, but good frionds usually come along with something to replace them. The Skeates Shield, a very unique piece of silver work, which has been the prize for the highest points in the 1-1-foot class, has been won twice in succession by Mr. peo. Hodgson's Joan and it becomes his property. The prize night will be in the form of a smoke concert, the musical portion being in the hands of Mr. Stan Pritchard (vocal) and Mr. Percy Payne (orchestral). A meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association was held on Tuesday evening , , when a number of matters were dealt with. The Xapier .Sailing , Club asked for a ruling as to the proeecdure in the case of a tie on points. i During the past season three boats were equal no points counted as :). 2, and 1, for a certain cup. On a sail off belt vveen the three boats, two boats again tied for first place, 3 points, and (he I association was asked what points should be allotted to the three boats. It was decided that under tho circumstances detailed that in the fail off the two bouts which finished first should each takethree points and the other boat one point. Oflicial notification was received from i the Wellington centre and allHhe South 1 Island centres of the adoption of the j Roiia plans for (he 14-foot one-design j class, while the NTapier Club's conformai tion is only waiting until ther next, meetj ing. The complete plans and specifica- ! tions can now be obtained from the honI orary secretary, Mr. B. W. Beaumont, at I a cost of 7 '(i. A set of 5 moulds, tcniI plates forkrel, centre-board and fuck will ! cost £4. and a sot has been forwarded j to each centre thi~ week. Some discusI sion took place as to the venue for next J Sanders Cup contest and while Lvttelton J has been suggested, yet the advantages I of Wellington a* tho most central port I could not be overlooked. It was resolved ! to hold a special meeting in a fortnight i to decide this matter, when a full ati tendance of delegates is desired. The ' draft of rules governing future contests has been drawn up. and is to be submitted ■ to all centres before confirmation. These ' rules only apply to the actual conduct of the match, and do not apply to the plans or specifications in any way. The methods adopted at the three previous contests havo been used as a precedent, and nothing new has been introduced ; except in minor matters The date of receiving challenges, which was the end of November last year, is dependent on the date chosen for the contest, which in turn can only be determined after the wisßes of the centre undertaking the contest arc ascertained It is a very long time since "Speedwell" had the pleasure of viewing a mod-

em type of yacht under construction. A visit to the yard of Mr. C Bailey this week showed the new 8-metre yacht which this firm is building for Mr. Endean, to be well advanced. The keel, stern, sternpost, horn timbers, stringers, and the first row of diagonals are in position, and a good idea of the boat can be formed. Her dimensions are 43 feet overall, 32 feet on the waterline, 9 feet 4 inches beam, and 6 feet 6 inches draught. She will have 5 feet G inches head room under the cabin-top. Her sternpost rakes well aft, while the stern comes down in a long, graceful sweep, making a rather short keel, which will carry 41 tons of lead. One is at onco struck with beauty and "originality of this boat's lines. It has been said that she is like this boat or that boat, but in the writer's opinion she is like i nothing here, and stands out in a class by herself. Her midship section is a beautiful one, and shows big power, which is carried'well aft under the quarter, ending in a well rounded apron piece. The sheer is in keeping with the latest designs -"of Nicholson and Fife, being much straighter than we are used to. The spoon bow gives an easy entrance, but a view from beneath shows the same powerful lines carried well forward. The new boat's fittings, such as companion, skylight and fore hatch will bo of teak, while all metal work will bo brass or gun metal. She will be fitted with a complete suit of Lapthorno's sails, In-r rig being lofty in accordance with the latest ideas. The hoist is 22 feet, while her total area in mainsail, staysail, lib and topsail is 1100 square feet. Tho boat will have two diagonals and fore and aft planking outside, which will bo commenced next week, when a better idea of her size nnd long, graceful, but powerful lines can bo formed. Onu thin;,' which struck tho writer was the fact that all engaged on tho work were young men. 'Messrs. Ernie and Glady Bailey, sons of Mr. Chali. Bailey, jun., are- in charge of the business, while the other hands include several sons of former employees of this old firm. The new boat has attracted considerable attention, especially from old-time yachtsmen, many of whom have expressed their admiration of her lines. It is to be hoped that tlm boat will bo the forerunner of others, and that tho class having been once established will find others following to help to re-estahlUli tho world-wido reputation of Auckland yacht builders.