YACHTING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1324, 30 December 1911, Page 12

YACHTING.

[Br Mainsheet,] Saturday January G.-P.N.Y.C, Handicap Kaccs, lor first; and second-class ( yachts, on Course No. 1. Saturday, January 13.-P..N.V.C. Handicap Races, for first and second-class yachts, ou Course No. 1.

Sounds Cruising. ■ A I? 0D! !, , tho Passengers who arrived by the Patecnn from Picton on Wednesday morning last was the crew of the Wellington yacht Maliina. The Manilla etton Saturday last for a short cruise in Viiccn Charlotte Sound, but was unfortunate in sinking unsettled weather. An account of (heir doings since their departure is related by one of the crew as follow :-Wo left the Boat Harbour at 2.1.) p.m.- on Saturday, with a westerly wind, which we held until the Entrance, was passed. , A N.U. breeze then prevailed until ofi Sinclair Head, when, much to our disgust,..it fell flat. Wo started our engine, and when about six miles off lerawhiii, well in (he Straits, wc met tho Wylo (11. Jiirnie) and Muritai (G. Bolhamley), and kept company for about (wo hours. Shortly afterwards a good tresh iN.H. lull-sail breeze, accompanied with heavy rain, came upon us. It rained hard all tho way .across the Strait, and, when olf the southern shore, the weather became very thick. This compelled us lo sland off until daylight. At 3 a.m. ou Sunday, we picked up Capo Kuuunder, and with the aid of a light N.E. breezo we. ran down to Port Underwood. It was (i.30 a.m. on Sunday before wo were anchored safely in tho Port. Sometimo afterwards the Windward (R. Millman), from Wellington, and Tauiwha (G. Jackson), from Picton, arrived and dropped anchor in the Port. Tho weather was fine and hot on Sunday, when wo wero invited ashoro by Mr. Guard, and spent a very enjoyable time. At quarter to eight on' Monday morning we set sail for Tory Channel, with a K.E. breeze. Wo reached our destination at 10.15 a.m. Tho Windward, which had left three-quarters of an hour earlier, was picked up in the Channel, oft' Baxter's. She was experiencing some difficulty in working tho tides, so, with the aid of our engine, wo towed her round Diffenbach, and then sailed in company lo Picton, which was reached at 2.30 p.m. Tho Muritai and Bowel's launch wero anchored in the harbour. Tho White Heather (G. Hoggard) and Ailsa (llamill Bros.) arrived at Picton later in the afternoon,'

The crow of the Maliina leave by tlio Amliura to-day for l'iclon, to bring their yacht, which is at present anchored in Shakespeare Bay, back to Wellington. •

The Racing Thus Far. Glancing back over the races that have so far been decided this season the only outstanding feature seems to ba tho smaliness of the entries. There are, as classified with tho r.N.Y.C, some 27 yachts eligible to race under tho auspices of that club. Only ten of these havo crossed tho starting line, leaving 17 who havo not put in an appearance at all.

11 is fair to stale., however, that two of these packets havo raced under the auspices of the Cruising Club. But there still remains at least 15 boats which havo as yot failed to tako any part in the races provided by the club to which they belong. These boats include some of tho best and fastest yachts of the fleet. They are as follow:—Ngaira, lolanthc, Wairere, Atalanla, Muritai, Trixy, first class and Patronus, Viking, Taipari, Isca, May, lvainka, To Rhuua, Amui, and N'ikiiu, second class.

Under these conditions it seems hardly worth while to pfovido races at all, but it is to bo hoped that somo of Ihe owners of these non-performers can'bo prevailed upon (o "have a fly" beforo tho season closes. The club is certainly receiving very liltle support from its own members.

Apart, however, from this aspect, tho races have been well carried our, and have been of an interesting character. Tho most consistent performer to date is undoubtedly tho Siren, having twontytivo points to her credit. She has sailed particularly well in both races, especially in the first, and her sailing muster and crew are deserving of every credit. The Mnhina' also has twenty-five points to hor credit, but her performance in tho first race was a litth? disappointing;. The Nancy Stair, with (trentv-one points, has sailed well. She is a-much smaller boat than cither of tho abovementioned. Tho Tangaroa lins been a little disappointing. She has hardly performed up to expectations. In the second elasa, honours lay between tho Lizzie and Rna-cne, wjth each twentyseven points. They have both performed well. The Mahaki had bad luck in tho first race, but she sailed well in her second venture. The Kthcl lias accomplished little, her performances in both races being very disappointing. Sho was five minutes late in starling in (he fin,l race. Notes. Mr. C. V. Vordham, who until last, season owned Die K.iraka, ha* purchased a half ,-haro in fho Taipari. The Evans Hay (Iyer is in excellent, condition, and will no doubt be seen at (he starting line before lons. Mr. Itrewcr still retains his share. Mr. "Ted" llanimi, who for some, time has been absent from Wellington, has returned and has launched his auxiliary launch &vaa* ,