YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 972, 12 November 1910, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Br Matnsheet.] New ideas to make sails set well are always gladly welcomed by yachtsmen, so tho following from the "Field" should prove of interest to those who wish to oxperimout. The writer says:—"Jibheaders were set at Weymouth, arid Ostava was quite under the impression she had set something .new. , 'Good heavens, what is that going aloft?' said racing owners, as they watched Ostava's new topsail going up, when the vessel lay head to wind. 'Jlon, you beats all,' commented the Scottish critic. 'I'll be blessed if Ostava's no' hoisting a pair o' breeks!' And it looked for all the world. like it, for the new jib-header had two tacks divided and sewn from luff to clew above the halliards. When being hoisted, of course, the two tacks can be seen flapping in the breeze, but when set' they are laced down the lull from above the peak halliard block on tho mast to the throat, and hauled down with the tackles port and starboard.' i The idea, of course, is that, when turning to windward, the tack of the jib-header should always be on the weather sido of tho mainsail. We do not know whether the invention will work, but it is worth a trial, ( for the value of tlie topsail tack to windward has oft been proved. The funny part of it is that a double-tacked jib-header is not a new idea, but is only a very old idea revived, for it was invented by Admiral the Hon. Victor Montagu, anil tried in the dO-rater Corsair iu the season of 1892. The idea, however, came to' the owner of Ostava quite independently of Corsair's trial, and he may not be aware, even at this moment, that a double-tacked jib-header has ever been set on a racing cutter. Admiral Montagu discarded his after a few races, and did not find it a success. It is difficult to believe that sufficient draught of wind will not blow between the tacks to nullify the advantage of always having ono tack to windward."

Jottings. Such a representative gathering (says the Sydney "Sun") of yachting and sailing men, paft and present, as that seen at the dinner and social evening tendered Mr. Mark Foy. by tho Flying Squadron recently has seldom if, ever been seen in Sydney before. The function was held on the evo of Mr. Fov's departure for England, where he will endeavour to arrange another series of races for tho AngloAustralian Shield, which is held by the Medway Yacht Club.. Tho London "Field" 6ays:—"ln 1911 will bo held the first international yachtracing festival given by Great Britain and her colonies. This regatta, which was postponed on the death of King Edward, will probably attract yachts of all nations to England in August, 1911. It is interesting to note that India and Australia are giving prizes to the festival. Some members of the lioyal Bombay Taclit Cltib have given a very artistic old Indinn silver bowl to bo raced for at' the regatta, and it is reported that the leading yacht clubs in Australia will combine to present an Australian cup to bo sailed for during tho first British festival." As to tho latter part of this paragraph, it may be mentioned that' the New South Wales and Victorian yacht clubs have expressed their willingness to subscribe, and that the chilis in the other States have been, asked to conic in too. station.