N.Z. YACHT DESIGN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29747, 14 February 1962, Page 11

N.Z. YACHT DESIGN

T?RITAIN’S contender for the next America’s Cup yacht-racing series to be held either in 1963 or 1964 has been designed by a former Auckland yachtsman and naval architect, Mr Arthur C. Robb. Building on the 12-metre craft is due to begin at East Cowes in March or April. The Red Duster Syndicate, headed by Lord Craigmyle, is sponsoring the project. The design is the result of eight test-tank models, and evaluating sails, and racing in Lord Craigmyle’s 12-metre Norsaga (formerly Trivia), which was chartered by the syndicate for research after conversion from a cruising to a racing yacht. The research programme was carried out under the direction of Mr Robb, in conjunction with scientists in the hydrodynamic testing section of Saunders Roe, Ltd., the aircraft manufacturer.

The Norsaga was used to test a variety of newlydeveloped instruments designed to measure factors important to the achievement of greater speed and efficiency. For instance, new strain gauges were designed by another New Zealander very well known in civil engineering circles in Britain, A. M. Hamilton, a bridge designer, for use aboard the Norsaga in wind speeds from the lightest of breezes to a gale. The Norsaga has had more than two years of highly-concentrated activity as a research tool. The facilities of Southampton University’s yacht-research sections were also made available to the syndicate. The cost of the project is estimated at more than £200,000 to the end of the contest.

Mr Robb, who is 52, lives only a stone's throw from London's famous Wimpole street. He left New Zealand for England about 25 years ago. He was bom in Gisborne and educated in Auckland. His 1925 Cornwell Cup win, with D. E. Mackay, was his only national yachting success, but he treasures memories of the days when he sailed Lord Jellicoe’s Iron Duke in junior championship events on Waitesnata Hartwur.