YACHTING NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 45, 22 February 1929, Page 15

YACHTING NOTES.

DEVONPORT REGATTA. KEELERS' GOOD RACE. DELVILLE A WINNER. With a. eteady south-west wind blowing the Devonport Yacht Club's regatta I on Saturday was marked by exhibitions of good seamanship. The keelers were in their element, and a closely contested race resulted in a win for the limit boat, Delville. Thelma had a great tussle with lorangi, both running neck and neck under spinnakers in the early stages of the race. Prize and Nga Toa also paired off, but the former, working the southern shore, passed her rival just before reaching the Stanley Bay mark. In company with Nga Toa and Thelma Delville worked the northern shore, and proved distinctly superior to the other two-. This was her second appearance under her new rig, and was a much better test than the former occasion. Her mast and rigging stood well, and her mainsail set to perfection.

A LONG CRUISE.

LAUNCH KENYA RETURNS. INTERESTING SPOTS VISITED. A very comprehensive cruise to points of interest on the East Coast has just been completed by the launch Kenya, owned by Mr. L. Heard, of Parnell. The party consisted of Messrs. L. Heard, T. McKay (commodore of the Akarana Yacht Club), Bert Heard, D. McLeay, E. Burns, Ted Bird and Val Dunne (captain of the St. George's Rowing C'lubi. Leaving Auckland on Saturday, February 2, the Kenya spent the night at Islington Bay and then left for Mercury Islands, calling en route at Stony Bay, on the outside of the Coromandel Peninsula. Home Cove, Mercury Island, was reached at 4.30 p.m., and the party visited the spot where Captain Cook observed the transit of Mercury in 1709. Next day a visit was paid to Zane Grey's camp at Whaling Station Bay, the launch being efceorted for a couple of miles by a school of porpoises several hundred strong. On Tuesday the launch left for Never Fail Rock for hapuka fishing, but the sea was too rough, so after a visit to Coralie Bay, the sail was set to steady the boat, and she made a quick run back to Home Cove, in spite of the big sea that was running. On Wednesday morning a visit was paid to Red Mercury Island, and the I launch left there again in the afternoon for Whitianga. Large schools of kingfish and kahawai were sighted off the Hole in the Wall, where the water was fairly calm, but from there to Mercury Bay, a stiff head wind and lumpy seas were experienced.

Thursday morning was spent visiting the scene of the wreck of H.M.s. Buffalo at Buffalo Beach, and in the afternoon, the boat left for Tairua, where the night ,Mas spent. An early start for Tauranga was made next morning. The wreck of the Manaia was passed on the way, and a halt was made at a small bay on the coast, which the crew named Kenya Bay. Tauranga was reached at 2 p.m. While at Tauranga the crew tried their hand at sailing the seven-footers, and a race resulted in a win for Mr. Bert Heard. There were several capsizes, which increased the yachtsmen's admiration for the skill shown by the boys. After a pleasant stay at Tauranga, the Kenya left on Sunday for Mayor Island. Trolling for bait on the way did not prove a success, but when passing the north end of Mayor Island the party saw a mako in a school of small fish. Shortly afterwards a black marlin was hooked, but it broke away, after ten minutes' play. Another launch in the | vicinity had caught a swordfish and a mako.

Next day one party stayed ashore to explore the island, while the others went fishing. Traces of wild pig were seen, and tuis and bellbirds were heard in the bush. The exploring party found a volcanic crater with two lakes, one green and the other a deep blue. One was separated from the sea by a thin high wall of rock, but the bush was so thick that a closer examination was impossible. Pohutukawa trees of immense size were seen, one having a circumference of 30ft.

Another night was spent in SouthEast Cove, and next day the launch cruised round the coast of the island trying for fish without success, though schools of trevalli with big fish working among them were often seen. A visit was paid to the Alderman Islands on Tuesday and from there a run was made to the Hole in the Wall. Wednesday night was spent at Kennedy Bay, and on Thursday morning the launch left for Tryphena Bay, calling at Eangiahua (Flat Island) and Port Fitzroy on the way. The cruise was resumed on Saturday, when a visit was paid to the spot where the Wairarapa was wrecked and some big hapuka and two mako sharks were caught. Strong winds and a rough tide rip were encountered off the northern end of the Great Barrieij Island, but the launch behaved splendidly and good time on the return trip to Flat Island. At 5.30 a.m. on Sunday, the Kenya left Flat Island for Kawau. Very rough ; seas were met with all the way to Bon Accord Harbour, so after a stay of a few hours, it was decided to return to Auckland. The Kenya reached the Akarana boathouse at 4.30 p.m. on Sunday.

NORTHCOTE-BIRKENHEAD REGATTA.

Entries for the Nortlicote and Birkenhead Regatta, to be held on March 2, close at the Council Chambers, Northcote, at 9 p.m. on Monday, February 25. Starting times for races are as follow:— A and B classes, 2.30 p.m.; C and E classes, 2.35 p.m.; H class. 2.40 p.m.; L and N classes, 2.45 p.m.; M class, 2.50 p.m.; V and S classes, 2.55 p.nu; T, X, Y, Z classes, 3 p.nl.; local, 18ft and under, 3.5 p.m.; local auxiliaries, 3.10 p.m.; local launches, 3.15 p.m. For the outboard motor boats races will be arranged later, according to the entries received. The courses have not yet been planned.

TO CRUISE IN GTJXF.

Mr. E. B. Webster is leaving to-morrow in his launch Maybelle for a fortnight's cruisein the Gulf.

FAST CRUISER.

Good time was made by My Girl, the winner of the New Zealand Power Boat Association's race to Kawau last Saturday afternoMb She did the trip in Ih 3dm 32si ~ t