messing about in boats

Press, Volume C, Issue 29433, 8 February 1961, Page 13

messing about in boats

Voodoo Skipper A visiting yachtsman has not taken long to make an impression on Canterbury waters. He is Jins Gatland, one of the top Wellington skippers. Gatland used to have the R Class Hi Fi but now races the Frenzy-de-signed Voodoo.

At the tiller of Fetor Mender’s‘dinghy Salaani in the 60-boat Sullivan Cup race the week-end before last, Gatland was first home in his class and took a minute out of Graham Mender’s Frenzy over the course.

On Sunday, Gatland skippered CUB Pappe’s Freeway in a crews race and although in unfamiliar waters—being tripped up by a mudbank at least once—led from start to finish.

Watching the Canterbury R’s being rigged before the crews race, Gatland clucked his tongue and looked on in wonder at some of the gear and its weight. As he watched four men struggle down to the water with one dinghy he commented: “Two can lift my boatmast, sails and all.”

Gatland is in Christchurch on a business trip. He is supervising the assembly of a hot bitumen plant—a £24,000 contract—and expects to return home later in the month.

Cat to Finn

The Canterbury Yacht Club catamaran (kipper, Peter Priest, has sold his big blue craft, Tira Rua. Priest built the 16ft boat himself to the English Prout-Shearwater design. It has been bought by J. Townsend and has been sailing at Akaroa. Priest doest not Intend to retire from sailing. He proposes to make a change, however, by taking the tiller of a monotype. Contention

Wives of some of Canterbury’s leading R class skippers think they know more about sailing than their husbands. To help the women prove their contention, three dinghies have been put at their disposal for an open race at the Charteris Bay regatta. The Douglas Cox Trophy event on Sunday, February 26, has been chosen as a suitable race. The boats to be used are Impetuous, Result and Pirouette. In the weather expected at this time of the year the six women involved can expect light balmy weather—almost a drifter. Their lightness should be no problem in these conditions; and their husbands will watch their instruction with interest