YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 261, 4 November 1927, Page 14

YACHTING.

THE OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT. NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIP RULES. 300-MILE CRUISE WITH AN OUTBOARD. (By SPEEDWELL.) Quite a feature of the coming season will be the attention paid to outboard motors by several local yacht clubs, races for this type of boat finding a place on the fixture cards of the Squadron, Akarana, Power Boat and Tamaki Clubs, while other clubs will put on a race for outboards on their respective regatta days. In America, outboards are divided into two classes, A and B. A olass represents motors with no restrictions on engine capacity, B class being restricted to engines with a cubic capacity of 20 inches and under. This classification is practically standard throughout the world of sport, and has just been adopted by the Russell Regatta Club, the first to move in the matter of racing this type of boat in New Zealand. The same classification has been accepted by the Otago Yacht Club, which proposes to hold a series of races for the Patterson Cup, starting this month. also by the Auckland Anniversary Regatta, Power Boat Association, Royals and Akarana Club. All the leading concerns making outboard motors have engines which suit both these classes. The smaller engine represents about 4 h.p., the unlimited class running up to 8 h.p. It is in the latter class that speeds of 30 miles per hour were achieved at Albany, New York, in July last. The B class falls only a few miles short, the record being 27 miles, made at the same regatta, but each mail brings word of new records and further proofs of the wonderful popularity of this type of boat. Rules for Outboard Racing. The Russell Regatta committee have been presented with a handsome silver cup for the B class championship of New Zealand by Mr. J. P. English. The club has drawn up a set of rules governing this class of racing, and as they have not been published before, the following extracts should be useful to clubs which propose to hold events for the class. As the Russell Committee has evidently taken a lot of trouble in drawing up the rules, it will save time and trouble by adopting them and also make for uniformity in the class, which is quite a big factor with prospective owners. The rules are as follow:— Class A—No restrictions as to engine capacity. Class B—2o cubic inches capacity and under. Any make of outboard motor may be used, but not more than one motor may be used to operate one boat. Re-boring of cylinders, increase of stroke, or other internal changes to the motor are prohibited. Where the use of standard motors is specified, parts may be removed, but no parts may be added save those needed to avoid fire risks, or to prevent cavitation, and these shall not include any working parts. There shall be no structural alterations to engines. There will be no restrictions as to weight, finish or dimension of hulls. This only applies to speed boats. Boats shall race without handicap or time allowance in championship races. The method of starting shall be designated by the committee in charge of the contest. Contestants must report to the committee 10 minutes before the start of the race, and again immediately after crossing the finishing line. Boats and motors shall be available for examination by the committee or authorised representative at least one hour before any race, for the purpose of checking up the information furnished on the entry. No protests concerning boats or motor will be considered by the committee unless made within one hour of finish of the race. Boats will be started as decided by the committee, and will draw for positions. No restrictions as to weight to be carried by the boats competing in the championships, but no person under 14 years of age will be allowed to compete. The Russell Regatta committee will also hold a contest for a challenge shield open to one boat representing each centre. This shield must always be raced for at Russell. The method of starting used at Russell is to allow competitors to start their engines after they have put a stern line on to a punt or other vessel used by the committee. When all are ready, the starting gun is fired, and the craft shoot off like a rocket. This system is the safest, but it entails a lot of work on the committee. In America and in the races so far held on the Waitemata flying starts were the rule. This method gives a chance for the skipper to exercise his good judgment, similar to any other race. With the coming of daylight saving races for this class of craft might be held in the evening. There is always the possibility of less wind and smooth water then. A course to leewaTd of the King's wharf in a south-west breeze, or inside the eastern tide deflector in Judge's or Hobson Bays, would also give smooth water, and there are others. Any -club which takes the trouble to cater well for this class will be sure of exciting contests, for, given the inducement, the boats will be built. Already there are over a dozen speciallybuilt craft on the Waitemata alone, with speeds up to 25 miles per hour. 300-Mile Cruise With an Outboard. Outboard motoring is not confined to a series of speedy thrills during a short race, or even a run out into the Channel with a fishing party. The experience of Mr. H. N. Burgess, of Parnell, goes to prove that they can be used for cruising as well as racing. Being satisfied with the reliability of the modern outboard motor, he built a 16ft boat, and cruised to Waiheke and other well-known resorts. This was several years ago. After this, experience he built another 16-footer on the lines of the Yorkshire Coble, with high, flaring bows and flat stern. With lockers for'ard and aft for clothes and other gear, a small sail and a waterproof cover for sleeping under, this little craft, fitted with a small outboard motor, made a cruise of 300 miles in all sorts of weather. The first run was to Kawau, which was made in 4J hours. Mahurangi, Waiwera, Silverdale, Islington Bay, and all round Waiheke' were next visited, making a total mileage of 300. The average speed was 7\ miles per hour, petrol consumption 20 miles to a gallon. The cruise was so much enjoyed by Mr. Burgess that he proposes to build a slightly larger boat this season, and hopes to cruise to the Bay of Islands. The size of the boat permits of her being beached and hauled out if a blow should come up suddenly. He suggests the formation of an Outboard Cruising Club, but we doubt if many would care to do what he has done in ~tha way of -long-distance cruising. As to racing, several clubs have decided to cater for this branch of the sport, and "outboarders" will get all the racLig they want this seascm.