Yachting

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 206, 31 August 1928, Page 13

Yachting

~hij SpeeduteL

APPEAL OF OUTBOARDS.

RACING AND FAMILY MODELS. SPEED RECORD REACHES 38.43 M.P.H. SO MILES DONE ON THE W4LITEMATA. The development of the outboard motor boat in the past two years has been little short of marvellous. Not only have speeds climbed up all the way from 10 or 12 miles to 38.43 m.p.h., the latest record for a class C motor made on June 3 at California, but good wholesome boats, capable of carrying five or six people, have been driven at 25 miles by some of these wonderful little portable motors. While we cannot yet attain to such speed on the Waiteniata, we have certainly made great progress. It was only three years ago that the Russell .Regatta Committee added a race to the programme of events held between Christmas and New Year for the championship of New Zealand in this type of boat. The event caught on, and besides locally-built boats, several were taken up from Auckland, and speeds around 15 m.p.h. were registerd. This decided the Anniversary Regatta Committee to put a race on their programme, and a fairly good contest took place, with speeds not quite equal to Russell. Next year (192G) greater interest was evinced in the class, and ten boats competed at Russell for the "J.P. English" Cup, sjieeds going up three or four miles. Last year the sport received more recognition, six events were held at Russell, three at our Anniversary Regatta, while three local clubs held events for ouiboards, including a race of about In miles. In addition, a elub was formed especially for outboards, and with some competition between local builders and engine representatives speeds rapidly rose up to the 30 m.p.h. mark, astonishing all who saw them.

This speed has not been gained without. the use of high-powered motors, the latest type being a 10 li.p. "quad," a four-cylinder job, which actually drove Humbug at 3] m.p.h. in a trial on Hobson Bay last Saturday afternoon, and her owner expects to better this when his engine has been run in. Not only have we speedy racers, but one or two builders are turning their attention to what may be termed '"family" or "runabout" boats, which are capable of carrying five or 6ix adults with ease and comfort. Naturally, weight brings down speed, but even h substantially-built, heavy boat cari reach IS or 20 m.p.h. Is it any wonder that the sport of "outboarding." to coin a phrase, is becoming very popular on the Waitemata and adjacent waters? Apart from the lure of speed attaching to outboarding, a big factor in its popularity is the comparatively small cost of an outfit. While a speed boat t.o attain 30 m.p.h. may cost anything from £250 to £750, the outboard rut-fit can be purchased, engine and hull, for about £70. or considerably less where the owner is handy with tools and can build the boat himself. Under such conditions and with the support of the Auckland. Russell. Tauranga and Whangarei Kejratta Committees, the New Zealand Power Boat Association. Akarana. Tamaki, and other yacht clubs, to say nothing of the possibilities of the club I devoted exclusively to out boards, the j growth and appeal of this class of boating will be very marked in Auckland during the coining season, a fact of which engine agents are already aware, and are keen to get their respective machines in the racing field. The record of 33.430 m ie; per hour was made on June 3 at Balboa. California, by Firefly, driven by a class C motor (not exceeding 30 cubic-inch cylinder capacity). The tests were made over a one - mile course, carefully surveyed and certified by an engineer. The speeds for each mile were:—First., 33.02; second. 33.50; third. 33.42; fourth. 33.54: fifth. 33.13: sixth. 33.33. It will be seen that the first run was the fastest and the fifth the slowest. the difference being less than half a mile an hour. The boat was powered with a stock class C Fvinrude. The world's record for class A motors (under 15 cubic-inch cylinder capacity* stands at 27.103 m.p.h.. wVle for class B (under 20 cubic-inch cylinder capacity') the record is 33.543 m.p.h. Since the above was written we learn that n speed of 40 miles per hour has been attained in the United States. CLUB NOTES.

The T!ovnl New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold IT;? usual monthly club nipht this evening. when a fine series of lantern views of local yachts and coastal scenes will he shown by Messrs. T. X. Breckon and H. Adnm«. The finals of the billiard and snooker tournaments will also- be decided. So far tlie Victoria Club holds the record for attendances fit the annual meeting. over 70 members being present last evening. In spite of a strenuous ■rear with the removal and rebuilding of the clubhouse and slipway, the treasurer showed a very satisfactory balance on the rieht side. Thanks to the help of '.Mr. Ernest Pavis and cither pood friends the clubhouse is now bigger and better than ever. Mr. Jas. McGohan. who has held the office of secretary for several years, retired, and Mr. W. T. Matthews was elected to the position. Mr. L. Tercel was elected vice-commodore. T ~ery little change was made in the other officers. The Devonport Club has had a pood year judging by the balance-sheet. The clubhouse and slipway are great conveniences and will prove valuable assets in the future. The club has been promised some of the pi: "iking from Duder's wharf which is now beinp demolished. This will be used to build a balcony round the clubhouse and will further add to its value. No chanpe was made in the officers except that Mr. E. Mann was promoted to vice-commodore, and Mr. W. I. Wood elected rear-commodore.

The Tamaki Yaclit Club, the "baby" of our local clubs, will hold its third annual prize night and social on Tuesday evening- in Grey's Hall. Kohimarama. Good entries were received for this club's events which comprised the classes 18ft and under, on one occas-ion no less than 14 14-footers starting. Avalon leading the fleet home. A special bus will leave the G.P.O. at 7.45 p.m. for convenience of town visitors returning alter the dance.

The Takapuna Boating Club's annual meeting will be held next Thursday in the clubhouse, Bayswater, when the officers for the coming seas cm will be elected. This elub has also had a good year, the Oornwell Cup contest creating special interest, while the social functions, a feature of this club, have been well supported.

The thirty-third annual prize night of the Akarana Yacht Club will be held in the new clubhouse, King's Drive Extension on Saturday week. Members have worked very hard lately to get the upstairs portion finished, and it will be used for the first time on that occasion. This completes the chain of prize nights and a number of annual meetings will be

held in September, after which committees will start on fixtures and other vital matters connected with the activities for the coming season.

Several of the boat builders' yards already show signs of the coming season. Work on the 29 big boats hauled out at W. G. Lowe and Son's yard, Beaumont Street, is progressing and owners appreciate the many conveniences provided by this firm. The new slipway is capable of dealing with six or eight boats at one tide. Owners of racing craft will find this very handy just prior to a club regatta, for a quick haul out and paint up. The firm has just completed a 25ft launch, which will be shipped to Sumner next week.

R.. Lang has completed the ninth big lighter for Uauru Island. He will make a start next week on several orders for pleasure craft, mostly launches.

"Marine Motorist" asks if it ie true that, a section of land was ever given as a prize for a motor boat race. It is true. A section on Kawau, position at choice of winner amongst quite a number of sections, was offered the New Zealand Power Boat Association by Mr. A. J. Farmer. The race was held on February 17, 1912. Twenty-six boats entered, and ]G started and finished. The winner was Roma, owned by Mr. J. P. Bowden. at that time commodore of the association. The corrected times of the first four prize-winners were: Roma. 4b 55m 30s; Oretchen (Mr. E. L. Buchanan), 5h 2m 275; !Marore (Mr. G. B. Warman), 5h 3m 455; Kirita (Mr. A. Worrall), 5h 4m. Princess (Bailey and Lowe) did the fastest lime for the trip to Bon Accord, her speed being 10.7 knots, a fraction better than Madge's time. The latter, however, held the record for season 1911-12 with a speed of 10.S knots.

COMING EVENTS.

September 4—Tamaki Yacht Clnb'B Prise Night September &—Takapuna Boating Club's Annual Meeting. September S—Akarana Tacht Club's Prize Night.