YACHTING AT MOUNT MAUNGANUI

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 14883, 21 January 1949, Page 5

YACHTING AT MOUNT MAUNGANUI

TWO GOOD IDLE-ALONG SKIPPERS

CLUE SHOULD ENCOURAGE SEVEN-FOOTERS

(By “Old Salt”)

The strong southerly wind on Saturday last provided ideal weather for the Mount Maunganui Yacht Club’s races which were staged as part of the Aquatic Carnival in aid of the Primary School’s swimming pool fund. Particularly di’d the conditions suit the Idle Alongs and these boats were responsible for good performances both in their own class and in the open races. The recently acquired Tipsy owned bv Ray Hodge, and sailed so far by Gordon Hardy, proved hexclass by being the first Idle Along to finish in three races—a great effort. Unfortunately Joe Raymond’s Santa Lucia was a non starter, but on the day I think Hardy would have beaten Joe home the way he was handling the Tipsy. Although I would not say that Gordon is a better skipner than Joe, I am inc’ivied to the opinion that, with undoubtedly the faster boat, there will be litlto be ween them for the remainder of the season, for Ray Hodge is doing well as a forward hand in this his first year.

Jim Raymond in the Orcre sailed bis best races so far this season and so much has Maurice Crawford improved in the forward berth that a special bouquet i's awarded him for his efforts on Saturday. Very pretty spinnaker work, Maurice! My remarks a few weeks ago concerning the merits of the Idle Alongs compared with the Lake Skimmers raised quite a controversy in the club, but apparently the handicappers are a bit inclined to agree that, in heavy weather, there is not so much difference in the speed ’of the tv/o types. I notice that on Saturday the Tipsy was off scratch with Skimmer

Chic in the open class handicap and finished only seconds behind her. This could of course be a tribute to Hardy’s skippering but I am inclined to think i'c an acknowledgment that the Tipsy is a pretty fast craft. Disappointing- Feature A disappointing feature of the Mount Club’s regattas is the few local boys who sail the popular Tauranga Class seven - footers. Usually a fair quota compete from the Tauranga Club, but it is rather astonishing that some of the younger yachtsmen at the Mount have not interested themselves more actively in these splendid yachts. The boats are so well known and their value has been so definitely proved as the ideal craft for beginners that it would appear necessary for the club officials to foster the type at Mount Maunganui. • On y two seven-footers are sailed by the local youth, Brian Thomas in the Bat and Artie Raymond in the Cobra. While Brian is handling his boat well?' and showing definite improvement it looks bad for the future cf the club that no others have as yet taken to these sevens. Surely there are plenty of young enthusiasts at Mount Maunganui who may develop into sound yachtsmen. In my opinion it is up to the club to encourage these boats if it wishes yachting to prosper in the future.

By the way, congratulations to Brian Thomas on hi's success in bringing home the Wi Hau Shield from Rotorua at Christmas, thus emulating Jean Mackay who was successful fcr the club last year.