YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 76, 30 March 1928, Page 11

YACHTING.

PROSPECTS FOR .EASTER. CHARMS OF THE COROMANDEL COAST. ISLANDS AND HARBOURS NEAR TE KOUMA.

(By SPEEDWELL.) Scientists and others who take a delight in telling ordinary folk like yachtsmen that there are no such things as Equinoctial gales, looked as if they had scored last week, as, although the Equinox occurred on the 21st the weather was mild with light winds right up to Friday last. But as if to confound the learned ones and prove that old yachtsmen, who still cling to the theory of equinoctial gales are not so very far out the weather took a decidedly wintry turn on Saturday morning, and by noon it was.bio wing hard from the west. This buret of wind did not last, however, and the glass is up again. With the moon at its full next Thursday yachtsmen should experience really good weather for their Easter cruise.

This year there seems to be no lack of crews, and many boats that we know of will cast off their moorings on Thursday night with every berth bespoke, and one or two will have to accommodate extra men in the well or the cockpit. Sleeping on a motor boat with'a big canopy over the cockpit and canvas or standing sides, is quite good especinlly in warm weather. It has the drawback that one is apt to be wakened by new chum members of the crew who seem to take a delight in getting up at all hours to view the scenery or on some other equally silly excuse, and generally end up by waking half the ship's com* pany. But they are soon forgiven, as nothing puts one more at peace with everything than to lie in bunk on the first morning out and see the sun rise to perfect weather while your good ship lies at anchor in Bon Accord, Te Kouina or just homely Awaroa Bay." Nobody is in any hurry to get up unless one of the crew happens to be as horribly energetic as did one of Speedwell's crew a couple of Easters back when, quite unknown to the rest of us, he took the dinghy, rowed to the wharf at Coromandel, tramped into the town and came back with a billy of fresh milk and several pounds of rump steak. And all this before most of -us were tiwake. Needless to say he was look,ed on as a hero for the rest of that trip. Quite a number of our bigger yachts and motor cruisers intend to go out to the Barrier, and it is a trip well worth doing, especially with the wind from the north. This gives splendid cruising in smooth water for many miles along the coast, from Miner's Head to Tryphena.

THE COROMANDEL COAST. The many islands and safe harbours of the Coromandel coast have always been a favourite cruising ground with "Speedwell," as they would be with others if they were better known. The best anchorage is at Te Kouma, a very well sheltered harbour, half a mile to the south of the entrance to Coromandel (see chart). It is completely landlocked, the island of Rangipukea, which lies across the entrance, effectively cutting off the weather from the south and west. It was off here that the race held by the Squadron on March 10 finished, when 16 boats sailed across the line in the dark and were not timed. To many present-day yachtsmen the place is hardly known and in the hope that it will be found useful to many on the Easter cruise, a portion of the chart is reproduced, which shows clearly the entrances to Coromandel and Te Kouma harbours, Rangipukea Island, the Cow and Calf, Tawhiti Point and other features of the coast. It also shows the finishing line in the race referred to. This race was declared off and another one will be held to-morrow afternoon. The finishing line on this occasion will be inside Rangipukea, between the northern point of the entrance to Te Kouma and the launch Avis moored south. The entrance is narrow and it will not be possible to miss any boat. To better define the finishing line, a light will be fixed on the point and the judge's boat I will be distinguished by two red lights, vertical. The entrance to Te Kouma, which is 32 miles from Auckland, can readily be seen on the chart. The best bay is James', the second one on the port hand. Some prefer to lie under a red cliff about a quarter of a mile further up on the starboard side. To fully appreciate Te Kouma, one should beat round Cape Colville from Mercury Island, or over from the Barrier, and then run down past the numerous islands which lie between Cabbage Bay and Coromandel, and then suddenly enter this haven of refuge. This was "Speedwell's" first sight of the bay. No wonder it was a favourite with the late Tom Alexander and

many of the old hands. The younger generation of yachtsmen will become quite as appreciative of this coast once they know it.

Goromandel harbour is a fine sheet of water nearly four miles long from the entrance to the wharf, and three miles wide. It is very shallow near the wharf, but deep on the opposite side. On the port hand is Beeson Island, with a narrow passage between it and the mainland, which launches and small yachts can easily negotiate at full tide, cutting off several miles if bound north.. South of T© Kouma is another harbour, Manaia, but it is rather shallow. Immediately north of Coromandel is Hoki or Rabbit Island, with deep water aU round. Next is Surfien's Island, or rather two islands, with good anchorage off the larger one on its eastefn side. Further north is Huieh or Goat Island, which stands high. About two miles to the north again are the Moto Kawao group of small islands. On one of the most northerly is a very small harbour called Elephant Cove, which gives perfect shelter from anything but southerly winds. There are several patches of rock inside the chain of islands, but they are all marked on the chart, which should be part of the equipment of all Quite a lot of information can be gained from a chart and it is easily worth the few shillings it costs. Woolshed Bay, the second on the port hand from the entrance to Coromandel, is where the regatta is usually held at Easter. The Cow and Calf are two rocky islets lying over a mile west of tile entrance to Coromandel. The cow is 100 feet high and for a time had a blinker light on it, but this has been removed. The usual point to steer for when going across the Gulf from Ruthe's Island passage is Castle Rock. This is very prominent and will take you right into Coromandel Harbour.

A patch of rock lies off the extreme southern point of Rangipukea. It is just covered at high water, being flat on top. One Christmas Day, over 25 years ago, the 40-foot keel yacht Ngaru sailed up on it when making for Te Kouma by the southern passage—a passage seldom used except by boats coming from the Thames. It was calm weather when the yacht went on and the top of high water. No damage was done at the time and the crew spent the day fishing and pulling around in the dinghy, after propping the vessel up with the spinnaker boom. As the tide rose, unfortunately the wind came with it, right across the Gulf from the south-West, and although she was a well-found Loganbuilt boat, she was quickly reduced to matchwood.

The coast is certainly not at its best in hard westerlies, but with winds from north to east it is sheltered and makes an ideal cruising ground for a two or threeday trip. The chart reproduced is worth cutting out and mountiug for future reference.

RACES AT EASTER. A race will be held, starting next Thursday at 7.15 p.m., from Auckland to Mercury Bay, finishing off Co»tre Island. Entries close at the Squadron rooms next Monday.

A race both for yachts and launches will be held from Tauranga to Mercury Bay, where a regatta is to be held jon Easter Saturday. '

A race for centreboard boats will b« held starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday next from Auckland to Coromaiulel, finishing at the entrance to the liarboar. Entries close next Tuesday at this office.

POWER BOAT ASSOCIATION. The Power Boat Association will hold an outing on the Whau River to-morrow, where races for speed boats, fast cruisers and outboard boats will take place. A novelty will be a relay race for outboards, a team of eight competing in pairs. ROYAL N.Z. YACHT SQUADRON. RACE TO TE KOUMA. THE T. M. ALEXANDER MEMORIAL CUP The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold a race to morrow afternoon to Te Kouma, Coromandel, for the T. >1. Alexander Memorial Cup. The race will start at 2 p-m. off Victoria wharf. Pevonport, In conjunction with the Devon port Club to whom the date was previously allotted. The course is from starting line, between the eastern end of the Victoria wharf and the tannch Malbe moored south, direct to Te Kouma buoy, through Walheke passage and between Ruthe's and Chamberlin'a and north of Ranipukea Islands, finishing between the boulder point on the northern side of Te Kouma and the launch Avis moored south, keeping channel side of Sandspit. Bean Bock and Brown's Island beacons. The mark boat a.t the finish will show two wd lights vertical at night with a white light between them, and a white light will also be shown on boulder point. Competitors must carry the regulation side llghte after sunset, and report to the officials' boat as they pass. Dinghies roust be towed throughout the race.

The officials for the day are Messrs. B. W. Beaumont, Geo. Deer.v .w<l A. M. Glhnour. Messrs. R. Johnston and E. Currle will officiate at Te Kouma.

The entries are as follows, the handicaps will not be declared until to-morrow morning: Ariki, lorangi. Thelma, Waltangi. NgaToa. Bawene, Prize, Moana. Victory. Heartsease, Kotiri, Walone. Little Jim. Ida, Bangi. Scout, Delvillr. Ilex. Windward.

A two-gun start will be made, tbe first gun five minutes before starting time, and the second as a signal to start.

DEVONPORT YACHT CLUB.

CRUISING AMD HARBOUR EVENTS. Tlic Devonport Yacht Club will bold both erasing and harbour races to-morrow afternoon. The big boats will go to Te Kouma together with the yachts of the Squadron, the larger centreboard boats will race to Matlatia, and tbe small class over a harbour course in conjunction with the Tamaki Yacht Club.

Aill events will start between the eastern end of the Victoria" wharf and the launch Malbe moored south. The A- B and C class will-start at 2 p.m., the general handicap at 2.30. The smaller classes following at intervals of ten minutes. Tbe offlwrs for the day are: Starter, Mr. W. A. Wilkinson; judge, Mr. F. H. Browne; timekeepers, Capt. Barnes and Mr. V. P Stuart.

c a^ h s_s ol ' l<rwln S are the entries and handi-

a nd C Classes, to start at 2 p.m.— Arifci iorangi, Tbelmu, Waitangi, Prize, "I*- N«a-Toa, Victory, Heartsease, Kotiri, Windward, DeMHe. The handicaps will t>e declared to-nfiorrow morning. J*™" 1 H, L. and N Classes, !? st !Jf at 2.30. Course: From startlngHne direct to Matlatia, observing all fairM«+?« fln » hlne betw ' eea northern Pwnt of Matlatia Bay and yacht Valkyre i south.—Celox, on wind ecr off >7; Starch, 4 m andTm ; Marie, 11™ : I,onlft a. Uni and 5m ; Naiad, Rahiri , Walrere ' 13na and 6}m; 7m . : HiWa - 18m "»d 7m. to Btart at 2 - 40 - Course: » rting-line, round Sandspit Beacon BandsDit° th«i Resrtlu *> on buoy, back round theince, round mark off St. Heller's £ of Beacwi R^k i ? between Kohimarama wharf d «,. Ja, l" ch * lalbe moored north nll marks oci Btfl.rbo&rd.——iNlajric ®cr* whw w*» o Rival, 8m; Ma®cotT M * aTe * BCr; M Class, to start at 2.50. Course mm.

IKiS'ljS? s Shirley, JOmj

TAMAKI YACHT CLUB. RACE FOR THE SMALL CLASSES. M OLA SS COMPETE FOR F n BROWNIE'S CUP.

C,IA hold a oSb lll^ 11 10 *?acht S?w .^VST ® nd president of tlh'e TaojaVl Club. The official's for the day am Club. an^STr^ 1 ® "* *• **«»«PS S claae to sfcarfc at 2 4rt n«% courae from starting line between the eastern «wJ of Victoria wharf and lunch 80wth ' round Samdeplt on ,£f'* ce ronnd Resolution on tbence round Sandsplt on starboard, thence round mark buov off suHelier's wharf on stajboard (keeping north ff"?,,.,?***>■ o>«nce to Une Kohtmaramia wlxarf. Drone (wr ) Mtostrai (2m), (4|m). ' M class, ta start at 2.30 p.m course a « V M.nene, Ma«>kT MawS wT Matarere, Mischief, Maia, and MaiMn, all

T olfitt, to Ptuit-At 3 p.m., course same XatU, C tw Klapet («cr.), Marie (2|m), Eleanor (7to). Shirtey (Bm), (12ra) Desert Gold (9m). Sheila

Y class, to start at 3 pjb., coarn same class. Al«rte (ser.), OpS* ( (4m), Jupiter (-tan), Sea Elf (8m). Star class, to start at 8.10 p.m., course same as V class. Ola IV., Ji^aU

MANUKAU YACHT CLUB. TWO HARBOUR RACKS. LAUNCHES TO BE STEERED BY LADIES Yacht Race, limit boat to start at 2.80 p.m. No. 1 course.—The entries and handicaps are: Anahera scr, Elsie 2|m, Valdora 4m. Nyrla 14m, Merry Jest 15m, Cupid 16m, Limelight 17m, Hetty 20m, Betty 24m, Sea Toiler 27m, Westward 89m, Emerald 44m.

Launch Race, to start about 3 p.m. Course No. 1. All boats to be steered by a lady member.—The entries and handicaps are: Rogtta scr. Dlone 8m 80s. Naughty Girl, 9nj 30s, Karma 10m 455. Spa Wolfe 13m, Rainbow 17m 15s, A.H.B. 26m. Mikaro 26m. Regal 26m, Mermaid 26m, El ma 26m 30s. Pastime 26m 30s. Binemoa 26m 30s, Katul 26m 455, Norma 27m, Lily Meg 27 m. Wanderer 34m 30s, Mam'selle 34m 30s, Te Karo 38m. Vagrant 59m. MANUKAU CRUISING CLUB. THE FEARON HANDICAP CUP.

The Manukau Cruising Club will hold harbour races for yachts and launches tomorrow afternoon over the No. 1 course. The following are the entries and handicaps : —

Yachts, 18ft and under, to start at 8 p.m., for the eFaron Handicap Cup.—Anahera, Sylvia, Aola, Myra, Valdora, scr; Waiapu, lm ; Champagne, 2m; Hetty, 4m; Maidie. 4Jm ; Sea Horse, 6§m; Sea Gnome, 8m; Mystery, 9m.

Launches, to start off their handicaps, the limit boats at 3.15 p.m.—Surprise, scr; Naughty Girl, sm: Pal o' Mine, 7m: Sea Wolf, 9m: Rainbow, 10im; Katai, 17m; Myharo. 181 m ; Regal. 19m; A.H.B. 19m; AJermaid 19m: Hlnemoa. Millie 10m; Karoro, Almora, 21m: Wanderer, Pastime, 22m: Cremorne, Lynx, 28m; Salome, Tawera, 30m; M.C., 31m; Success, 35m: Grace. 37m. Model yacht races will also be held. TAKAPUNA BOATING CLUB. RACE FOR z CLASS. The Takapuna Boating Club will bold a rnec for their one-design class (Z) boats tomorrow afternoon, starting at 2.30 off the club house, and sailing the usual course. The following are the entries and handicaps :—Comet, scr: Kitty, 2m: Delphine, 3m ; Tio, 4m ; Vindictive, 6m; Frolic, Lailai, 9m; Trevic, 10m.