YACHTING

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 195, 19 August 1927, Page 13

YACHTING

TAKAPUNA ONE-DESIGN CLASS CORNWELL CUP CONTESTANTS. SQUADRON AND VICTORIA CLUBS TO MOVE.

(By SPEEDWELL).

The founding of one-design classes of small sailing boats has been a popular movement everywhere yachtsmen are gathered together, and since the war many classes have come into vogue, both in England, America and in the Dominion. The patiki class of 18ft Gin clinker-built boats was the first one to bo established on the Waitemata, and was very popular some 20 years ago. The Waitemata Dinghy * Club's 14ft open boat class was the next to come along. This was successful for a <sw years, but the boats were gradually dispersed to Kawhia and other centres. Ten years ago, the 14ft one-design class of half decked boats was started, and became very popular when Lord Jellicoe came into the class, which was subsequently named after him. Although interest at present in this class has waned a little in Auckland, the annual contests for the Sanders Cup will ensure a continuance of the class, especially in the south, where already matters are beginning to move. Wellington is to have a new boat built to Rona plans to try her luck this year at winning the cup for her province. In Auckland wc have two good boats in Rona and Avalon, either of which can be safely entrusted with the honour of representing the province next year. While fully recognising the importance of the Sanders Cup and the good it has done for yachting throughout the Dominion, the founders of the Takapuna Boating Club held the opinion that a supplementary class was desirable. One in which the young fellows could be given their initiation into the art of boat sailing at the smallest possible cost, was their objective, and to meet the case, a design of a 12ft Gin boat of the flattie or square bilge type was submitted by Mr. Robert Brown, of Northcote. Mr. Brown's plans were approved, and an order placed for 12 boats at an inclusive cost of £27 each. These were sold by the club to young members on easy terms,

and the class at once became popular. It is five years since the class was established, and in that time about 24 boats have been built in Auckland. Three years ago, Messrs. Walker and Hall donated a valuable cup to the competed for on the lineß of the Sanders Cup. This had the effect of booming the class, and it extended to other centres. The competitions for the Cornwell Cup are somewhat different to the Sanders Cup, in that the crews only travel to the port where the contest is held, boats being supplied by the local centre. This reduces expense, a very vital matter, and although three boats were sent south last year to Lyttelton, this will not be necessary as the class grows. This year the contest will be held on the Waitemata and it is proposed to hold it during the school holidays in January. If it could be timed to coincide with our Regatta it would be to the advantage of the Southern boys, who would thus have an opportunity of seeing the Waitemata fleet in its full force, besides having the opportunity of taking part in the race for their class on the regatta programme. The coming season gives promise of increased activity in this class, as already two new boats have been built by Mr. Fortzer, and the club has offered a boat complete as the prize for the best performance on points during the coming season by any boat in the class. This will be judged on a five, three, two system for first, second and third places. To further encourage the novices a system of handicapping will be used, by which a complete novice will receive five minutes ,start; boys with one year's experience will get four minutes, two years will get three minutes, and so down -to scratch. This system will be used in addition to the usual one of handicapping; on performances, and should give a novice a very fair chance. In addition, some of the more experienced members have promised to give practical lessons insailiiig on alternate days to the r",. cs so that a boy who takes up this class has every chance of becoming proficient in boat, sailing very quickly. • , ' - • The illustration we publish shows the style of boat very well and they are sent to all applicants for plans. These plans are supplied by the club at a nominal cost and include full size cardboard moulds, duly marked and numbered which greatly simplifies building, and makes it possible for anyone with a knowledge of using tools to build one of these handy little boats. Plans have been sent this season to Worser Bay and Plimmerton, Wellington, Nelson, the Estuary, Christchurch, and Dunedin, while "Speedwell" has received an in-

quiry for them from a resident in Raratonga who says they have a big, shallow lagoon inside the reef, which is very suitable for small boat sailing, and having seen views of the Z class in the "Auckland Star" he is hopeful of starting the class there as the only racing possible now is in outrigger canoes. The class is officially known as the Z class and the following are the chief dimensions:—Length, 12ft Gin; beam, sft; deptli (amidships), Ift 4in; keel, Gin by ljin; bottom, 4in; s:des, gin; tuck, Jin; deck, Jin; covered with duck; bulkheads, two, fin; centreboard wood, dagger type, 17Jin by 3ft lOin, gin thick; mast, 12ft Tin; gaff, 10ft; boom, 13ft; sail, hoist, loft Gin; foot, lift Gin; leech, 17ft 6in; spinnaker, hoist, 10ft Gin; leech, 12ft Gin; foot, 12ft Gin. All boats must be passed by the official measurer and over §in variance is allowed on moulds. Kauri timber is specified, except for the mast, which may bo of Oregon pine, and heart timber is now insisted on. It will be seen that the class is well and carefully planned, and every inducement is gven bv the Takapuna Boating Club to youths who wish to bcccme a yachtsmen. The class is worthy of suport by other clubs and nothing is surer t .n if the boys once get the love of the sea they will not stop in small boats, but will go ...st into our 14-foote.rs and thence gradually climb until they own a mullet boat or a keeler. Mr. J. Hislop, deputy-Mayor of Devonport, has received word this morning that he has been appointed to the Anckland Harbour Beard iii the place of the late Mr. J. Henderson. Mr. Hislop takes a great interest in yachting and through his firm, was the donor of both the Sapders and Corn well cups, which are now so well known to yachtsmen throughout the Dominion. The news announced in our coluinus on Wednesday that the Squadron and the Victoria Hubs were to receive three months' notice to quit their present quarters and hauling out areas came as a ißjmbsliell to the officers and members of both clubs. Both the executive of the Suadron and thp "Vies" have expended a lot of time and money on their respective sites, and it is felt that they are deserving of every consideration on this score alone.. It is a pity that the small area now occupied by the two clubs could not be retained for their use.