THE OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 14

THE OUTBOARD MOTOR BOAT.

t Wherever the somewhat noisy but speedy and economical little outboard motor boat has established itself, it has rapidly grown in popularity. Outboard motor racing has now taken its place as one of the recognised show events at most of the American regattas. The annual regatta at Russell attracts about a dozen really fast boats from Auck-

land and other ports in the Dominion, the best half of the day's racing being devoted to this class, for which the prizes are generous. Three Auckland clubs pay special attention to the outboards, and now we learn that they have formed" a club of their own at Buckland's Beach.

Several motorists have fitted out a two-wheeled trailer which enables them to carry put-put boats behind their car, and next season many inland waters will be traversed for the first time by speedy little craft with an engine hung on the tuck.

One of the greatest attractions of I outboards is the comparatively low cost of an outfit. While the motor may run up to £50 or £60, the hull costs less than half this sum, and if one be handy with tools, a hull cftn be built for £5, as several local enthusiasts have proved. Certainly these bulls aao very lightly , built, 1 and are .not capable of standing up to a sea. This refers to the purely racing hull, but there is no reason why a better class of boat should not become popular. A really well-built boat costs little more than the light hulls we see at our local races, although their speed would be less. This would be made up by their extra comfort and seaworthiness. There are a few boats on these lines already; a Parnell enthusiast has one which is capable of carrying five or six adults in comfort. Many extravagunt speeds have been claimed locally. We have been asked several times what speed our local outboards really attain. It is vexed question, and the men in the thick of the sport are not at all certain on the point. While the writer lias timed most of the outboard events held this season, that vital factor, the exact distance of the course, has generally been an unknown quantity. In one event the distance was almost exactly three-quarters of a sea mile for each round. This was done by the three fastest boats, Humbug, Bacteria and Op-it in exactly two minutes. This is 22$ sea miles per hour, equivalent to over 2T> miles, and this is about the best they can do. If an owner doubts it, "Speedwell" is ready to clock any boat over the measured mile. This extends from Resolution buoy, off Judge's Bay, down to the Eastern end of the Orakei wharf. A run with and against tide and wind should be made and the average taken.

Compared with the speeds attained in America of 33.54 miles by a B class engine, this falls short by just eight miles. Last season the record for class C stood around 27 miles, but the last mail brought word of a new high level attained in this class of 34.4 miles per hour. Even this will shortly be eclipsed by the huge four cylinder motors now being made as outboard engines. Outboard racing has grown to such an extent in the United States that new rules have/ been evolved after much discussion, have now become standard, and are endorsed by nine of the leading associations. For boating men, who are apt to be mystified by the various classcs, the following classification recently adopted by aU4]lhe leading clubs in America will make matters plain: — Class A—Under 14 cubic inches piston displacement. :< ■ Class cubic in. and under 20 pision dis. Class C—2o cubic in. and under 30 piston din. Class P—3o cubic ill. and under 40 pUUu) dis,

Class E—4o cubic in. and under 50 piston dis. Class F—so cubic in. and under 60 piston dis.

Class G-j-tio cubic in. # and under 80 piston dis. Class H —Bo cubic in. and over.