Idlealong Class Loses Popularity

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29058, 21 November 1959, Page 5

Idlealong Class Loses Popularity

rpHE poor entry of only five - 1 yachts in the Canterbury I Class championships at Lyttelton last week-end seems to mark the swan song of this class in the province. With no new craft being built and interest completely lacking among yachting enthusiasts, this once important class is going under in the face of opposition from R.-class, Finn, Cherubs, and other newer classes. With most classes of yachts either the design is improved over the years to keep the class up to date, or ft founders. Unfortunately, the Idlealongs have not kept up with modern trends and have paid the penalty. As far back as the early 1940’s the shortcomings of the sail plan for the I class yachts was recognised when the craft were at the height of their popularity.

The balance of the yachts Is peculiar, and yachtesmen find it quite a feat to manage them in a strong wind with only two up.

Certainly the Canterbury champions, M. Holland and A. Holland, had an afternoon’s hard work on the harbour last week-end. Another disadvantage which has told against the Idlealongrf is their weight It requires about six ablebodied men to lift one from the .water with ease, and consequently the times and places it can be sailed depends to a certain degree on manpower being available. This decline in popularity is not restricted to the class, and there are signs of the Takapunas suffering a similar fate. The Canterbury I class trials for the national Moffat Cup contest will be held at Lyttelton on Saturday, and judging by the good display of the Holland brothers last week-end they are clear favourites. It is to be hoped that a larger entry will be seen if only to provide the provincial representatives with more competition than the two other yachts which finished the course last week-end.