YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 120, 22 May 1937, Page 21

YACHTING.

HAULING OUT HINTS.

THE ROYAL STEAM YACHT.

NORTHCOTE REGATTA PRIZES. (By SPEEDWELL.) Advantage will be taken by many owners this week-end to haul out for the winter, and the following hints on the care of sails and gear will be useim. It is of first importance that all sails should be thoroughly dry when put away for the winter. Even a new suit of sails, if rolled up while damp, or stored in a damp placp. will be mildewed before they are required to be used again. Sails should be washed in fresh water and then dried thoroughly before stowing away. The foot of the mainsail, which catches all the salt water, will be the better for a good scrubbing with fresh water. Care taken with sails and gear directly after hauling out is repaid in the extra amount of woar to be obtained When rolling up a sail to stow away, do not try to make it into the smallest possible bundle. Fold it loosely and cover it with something to keep it dean lietter still, if you can hang it from the ceiling clo so, as it will prevent mice getting :nto it. If you stow it in a shed, make sure that the place is watertight. If any repairs are necessary, don't wait until next spring, but have them done now; it will be cheaper.

If the sails are dirty, tbe following mixture makes a good bleach, and it is not injurious to the sail if well rinsed out. It will take out mildew if not too far gone, and will clean the sail at the same time. Washing soda 111b. chlorinated lime 21b, water 2i gallons. Mix this a day or two before you intend to use it. Then lay the sail on a clean bench or floor, wet it with fresh water and then go over it thoroughly with a scrubbing brush and the mixture. Rinse the sail in, fresh water and dry it in the sun.

"When the boat is hauled out and securely blocked up, remove all cushions, curtains and floor coverings and stow in a dry place. Before the boat gets dry, scrul> the bottom and remove any marine gr<*vth. This conies off easily when it is wet, but if it is left for a week it will be hard to remove. Give the topsides a clean down as well, and it will repay you when the time comes for repainting.

Take home all the articles than can be moved. The flooring should be lifted and the boat given a good wash out below, letting the water drain out from the plug hole in the bottom. Ropes should be neatly coiled and hung in a dry place where the air circulates.

An engine requires a lot of attention before being loft for the winter. All bright parts should be coated with thick oil or grease. Majrnetos, coils and carburettors should be taken out of the boat and stored in a dry place. Batteries should be taken to a service station and recharged at intervals during the winter to In good order, ae they will run down if nothing is done to them. When takiug off any wiring put a tag on it, showing its position, so that you can put it back in the right place.

Before you leave the boat see that at least two ports are left open, as a free circulation of air Is necessary to prevent the boat from weeping. If you leave the mast in her, grease it down with a mixture of white lead and tallow, or just plain grease. Go over the standing rigging with this mixture.

If the boat la to be left In the open some kind of cover is desirable. An old sail or tarpaulin makes Rood protection, especially if a batten or ridge pole, made with the spinnaker boom, is run along the centre of the boat for the full length of the deck. The canvas can lie secured to the «ide bv rt>i>es passed under the keel. Do not na'il a batten along the sides of the boat. This will collect the rain and rot the canvas. If a full size cover is not obtainable put a cover of some kind over the cockpit to keep the rain out. Witt an occasional Tisit to see that the blocking and struts are eecwe, you can leave the good ehip until -warmer days.

EO7TAI N.Z. YACHT SQUADRON.

GOVERNOR TO PRESENT PRIZES.

The elxty-flfth annual prize night of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will be held in the club rooms next Friday evening. Hie Excellency the Governor-General, Viscount Galway, will be present and will present the prizes.

The prizes in the cruising races -were well distributed, Windward being the only bo*t to register two wins, the other winners being, Ariki, Ngatoa, Viking, and Victory. In the harbour races for keel yachts. Commander Gifford's Rawene won two firsts and Moana the same. In the races for the M class Manu has the best record with three wing. NOKTHCOTE-BIRKJ3NHEAD.

REGATTA PRIZE NIGHT. The prizes won at the reftatta, promoted annually by the residents of Northcute and Birkenhead, were represented on Thursday evening in the King's Theatre, Northcote. in the presence of a large gathering of ladies and gentlemen. The guests were welcomed by Mr. Noel J. Campbell, chairman of the committee, and included Lieut.-Commander W. E. Moncton, of H.M.S. Philomel, and Mrs. Moncton, Captain H. H. and Mrs. Sergeant, and officers of Auckland yacht clubs. The prizes consisted of £30 in cash, also several cups and other trophies and championship flags of almost equal value. During the evening Mr. Campbell thanked all who had assisted to make the past regatta a record one in many ways. The entries and starters, some 130 boats, were the best since the regatta was first held in the pre-war period. The day had been a perfect one and no mishap* occurred to inar the afternoon's sport. Mr. Campbell referred especially to the assistance given by Captain Sergeant, harbourmaster. Captain W. Monaghan, of the schooner Piri, Messrs, A. Clare and W. Sin ton, the raring officials and the ladies' committee, liesdames T. Boyd. B. Reed, P. Pugh, and A. W. Miller, Misses V. Devlin. J. McGilp. J. Jordan and D. Case. He also paid a tribute to the efficient work of the racing officials and others on -the day also the owners of craft which were not bo fortunate. The president. Captain Sergeant, congratulated the committee on. again holding a regatta which proved to be worthy of their many successors. He concluded by requesting Mrs. Moncton to present the prizes. The following, were the principal winners. :— Naval whalers: R.N".V.R. No. 1 crew; C and E class: Owhanga 1, Valdora 2; H class: Corona 1 and flair. Nomad 2: I and N class: Isobel 1. Tamariki 2 and flag; M and V. class: Ellis Cup and miniature. Shamrock 1, Irene 2 'and flag: S class: Sceptre 1, Marlene 2. Mahana flag: T and X class: Swiftsure I. Vamp 2 and flag; Y class: Maumau 1, Rebel 2. Mania flag; Z class, Te Utu, Skeate» Cup and miniature 1, Valeta 2; Silver Fern class: Endeavour, Mr. E. H. Footers trophy, 1, Flyinp Cloud 2; local yachts, Kea. the Lepper Cup and miniature, 1, Meteor 2: local launches: Raira, B. S. Cole Memorial Cup and miniature, Hanwai 2. The .prizes won at the side-shows held at Hinemoa Park, Birkenhead, were also presented ■ by Mrs. Moncton. who was thanked by Mr. Campbell. After supper dancing was continued until midnight, Mr C. I. W. Taylor being muter of ceremonies.